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Legal Careers

The federal Judiciary provides diverse and rewarding careers for new and experienced attorneys, from law clerks to staff attorneys to federal public defenders to in-house counsel at the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Staff Attorney and Law Clerk

Staff attorneys and law clerks provide the court with procedural and substantive legal advice regarding the disposition and efficient completion of cases. They review, summarize, research, and analyze matters before the court. Their research and recommendations assist the court in resolving legal arguments presented and in deciding cases expeditiously. They:

  • conduct legal research;
  • review case records and filings, and analyze options;
  • draft legal memoranda and propose opinions and orders;
  • discuss legal analysis with judges; and
  • provide procedural information to pro se litigants and counsel.

Staff attorneys and law clerks must be graduates of law schools in good standing and possess other qualifications related to professional and academic accomplishment specified by employing judges and courts. Some professional legal experience also may be desired.

Assistant Federal Public Defender

The United States Constitution’s Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in most criminal prosecutions. Assistant federal public defenders are appointed by the court to represent those in criminal proceedings who can not afford an attorney. More than 81 federal defender organizations are in 91 of the 94 federal judicial districts pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act. Assistants are appointed by the court to provide representation in federal criminal cases and related matters. They:

  • provide legal representation to clients charged with federal criminal offenses or involved in other matters authorized by the Act;
  • meet with clients to establish meaningful attorney-client relationships;
  • direct the defense investigation of alleged crimes or offenses;
  • research case law;
  • prepare pretrial motions;
  • review material received from the government as pretrial discovery; engage in plea negotiations;
  • determine trial strategies and defense approaches that affect jury selection, opening statements and closing arguments, client testimony, and cross-examination of witnesses;
  • conduct sentencing investigations and prepares sentencing memoranda, and represent clients at sentencing hearings;
  • prepare post-trial motions; and
  • represent clients at trial, on appeal, and in other courtroom proceedings.

Requirements for the assistant federal public defender position include a law school degree and admission and good standing before the federal bar, combined with state bar admission and good standing.

Investigator

  • review and analyze discovery and other case documentation. Assist in determining scope, timing and direction of the investigation. Initiates new areas of investigation;
  • locate and conduct interviews of all witnesses including prosecution, defense and expert witnesses. Evaluate witnesses and discuss relevant value with the attorney;
  • provide information to experts, coordinates evaluation, clarifies the focus and specifics of the issues to be addressed. Assists the expert as needed. Maintain a filing and reference system for mitigation and mental health literature, including biographies and areas of expertise of available experts.
  • report findings of interviews and of investigation to the responsible attorney. Locate, view, and retrieve tangible evidence, personal property and other relevant material and/or objects;
  • assist the attorney at hearings and trials by evaluating testimony, coordinating witnesses and documents. Serves subpoenas and notifies defense witnesses of court appearances;
  • utilize computer software for word processing, databases and graphic. Assist the attorney in developing demonstrative evidence for use at trial;
  • provide technological litigation support to the attorney and legal personnel for collection, review, analysis, production and presentation of case materials.

Mitigation Specialist

  • working knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and ability to interact with professionals using DSM terminology;
  • experience in identifying and interviewing significant family members and social informants;
  • perform extensive, reliable and multi-generational psycho-social development report on the client;
  • identify and collect records pertaining to client and his/her family and conduct interviews in prisons, in the office and community along with other relevant field work;
  • ability to develop positive relationships with clients and their families, working with a team of lawyers, investigators, paralegals and other experts and assist in the development and integration of litigation themes as well as the preparation and implementation of field investigations.