Assistant Federal Public Defender Apply
Assistant Federal Public Defender Trial Unit
Temporary One Year and One Day Position
Newark, New Jersey
Posting: February 1, 2024
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The Federal Public Defender for the District of New Jersey is accepting applications for an Assistant Federal Public Defender (AFPD) in its trial unit. This AFPD position is a temporary position for a year and one day and will be based in Newark, NJ. The Federal Public Defender (FPD) operates under the authority of Title 18, United States Code, Section 3006A(g)(2)(A), to provide legal services by court appointment to individuals unable to afford counsel. The position primarily involves legal representation of indigent persons charged with criminal offenses in the United States District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Duties: Trial AFPDs represent indigent individuals charged with criminal offenses in the United States District Court and provide appellate representation in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Applicants should expect to defend and litigate federal criminal offenses involving guns, drugs, violent crimes, sex offenses, and complex conspiracies and fraud. Applicants must be prepared to zealously advocate for our clients who are often facing minimum mandatory and life sentences. We take a client centered approach to our work and applicants will be expected to work in teams that include a paralegal, an investigator, and, oftentimes, a mitigation specialist. Trial AFPDs are also expected to provide training as needed by the office.
Requirements: Applicants must (1) be a graduate of an accredited law school and admitted to practice and in good standing before the highest court of a state; and (2) be eligible to be licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Selection Criteria: Our offices collegial and collaborative culture make it a great place to work for the pursuit of fairness and equal justice under the law. Applicants should be team-oriented and collaborate with other attorneys and staff. They must possess excellent written and oral communication skills, and be able to do so thoughtfully with clients, colleagues, our adversaries, judges and court personnel. The successful applicant must have an established capacity or clearly demonstrated aptitude for excellence in criminal defense practice, a commitment to the representation of indigent accused persons, and a reputation for integrity. An applicant must have a demonstrated commitment to working with diverse communities and with clients from a range of backgrounds.
Three or more years of state or federal criminal defense experience is preferred but not required. The position is at will excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of competitive civil service.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Our office values diversity, is committed to equity and inclusion, and aspires to create a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, openness, and humility that honors the people we represent. We seek lawyers who share this belief and commitment. We encourage individuals who are members of the BIPOC community, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized and underrepresented groups to apply. Above all, we are interested in applicants talents, dedication and desire to ensure that all individuals, irrespective of race, ethnicity, nation of origin, culture, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual identity, education, opinions, age, languages spoken, veteran status, disability, religion, and socioeconomic circumstance who are charged with a federal crime, receive effective assistance of counsel, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Salary and Benefits: The salary of an AFPD is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position offers federal government employment benefits, including participation in health and life insurance programs, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).
How to Apply: Interested applicants should email in one pdf document a letter of interest, a resume, a writing sample, and the names and contact information of three professional references saved as LastName_AFPD_Newark to the attention of:
K. Anthony Thomas, Federal Public Defender
via email to:
Subject: LastName_AFPD_Newark
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. One or more AFPD positions may be filled from this announcement, subject to need and budget approval.
If an offer of employment is extended, the applicant must complete a background security investigation including an FBI name search and IRS tax check. Fingerprints and photographs will be taken. Appointment will be subject to the applicants successful completion of a security investigation and a favorable report.
No phone calls, please. Only submissions following the required format will be considered. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Federal Public Defender follows an Employee Dispute Resolution Plan approved by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to quality representation, diversity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
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Recommended Skills
- Editing
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- Oral Communication
- Team Player But Also Independent
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