Job Details for Federal Public Defender
| Court Name/Organization | District of Columbia Federal Public Defender |
| Overview of the Position | The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is accepting applications [under authority of 18 U.S.C. 3006A(g)(2)(A)] from all qualified persons for the position of Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia. The incumbent Federal Public Defender has applied for reappointment. The term of appointment is four years; annual salary will be equal to the salary of the U.S. Attorney for the district, currently $197,200. |
| Location | Washington, DC |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 07/16/2026 - 08/05/2026 |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Salary | Not specified |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/vacancies |
Qualifications
An applicant must: (1) be a member in good standing of at least one state bar or the District of Columbia bar; (2) have been engaged in active criminal practice for a minimum of five years, preferably with significant federal criminal trial and appellate experience; (3) possess administrative expertise; (4) have a reputation for integrity, commitment to equal justice, and outstanding legal ability; and (5) have a commitment to the vigorous representation of those unable to afford counsel. Federal public defenders may not engage in the private practice of law and are subject to the judiciary financial disclosure requirements.
Application Info
Submit a cover letter, resume, and a narrative statement to Spencer Hallett. The narrative statement must state why you are seeking the position, how you are qualified for the position, and any relevant special professional, occupational or other experience, including legal scholarship and writing, which should be considered. The entire submission must be in a single PDF attachment sent to FPD_Applicants@cadc.uscourts.gov no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 5, 2026.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.