Appellate Attorney

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California • Los Angeles, CA

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About The Position

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time attorney position in its appellate unit, stationed in Los Angeles, California. The appellate unit is committed to the pursuit of justice by aggressively advocating in federal court for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of individuals who are convicted of crimes and cannot afford their own lawyer.

Job Duties: Appellate attorneys primarily represent indigent federal defendants in direct criminal appeals. Core job duties include counseling clients with respect to their appeals and preparing briefs and presenting oral argument in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Appeal unit attorneys also assist trial attorneys in complex cases and represent indigent habeas petitioners in the district court and in the Ninth Circuit. They are expected to develop and maintain expertise in multiple areas of law and provide training and oversight as needed by the office.

Requirements

• All applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school
• Be members in good standing of the California Bar or must be willing to sit for the next California Bar exam
• United States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of experience in state or federal criminal law or in appeals
• Federal judicial clerkship experience
• Demonstrated commitment to indigent criminal defense and/or public interest law
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Excellent research skills
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload
• Work well in teams

Responsibilities

• Counseling clients with respect to their appeals
• Preparing briefs and presenting oral argument in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Assist trial attorneys in complex cases
• Represent indigent habeas petitioners in the district court and in the Ninth Circuit
• Develop and maintain expertise in multiple areas of law
• Provide training and oversight as needed by the office

Benefits

• Health and life insurance
• Retirement
• Thrift Savings Plan
• Eligible employees may elect to telework up to two days per week, subject to certain conditions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed