Position Announcement
SUPERVISING ASSISTANT FEDERAL DEFENDER - CAPITAL HABEAS UNIT Charlotte NC
THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER, Western District of North Carolina, is accepting applications for the position of Supervising Assistant Federal Defender for the Capital Habeas Unit (CHU Chief) to be stationed in the Charlotte office. The Federal Public Defender operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. 3006A. The CHU represents state death-sentenced individuals in federal habeas, lethal injection, and state clemency proceedings in North Carolina and South Carolina’s Four United States District Courts, in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and in the United States Supreme Court.
Duties
This is the first Capital Habeas Unit for the Fourth Circuit. As such, the CHU Chief will be an integral part of developing this unit. The CHU Chief will report directly to the Federal Public Defender and will be responsible for managing the CHU. This will include, but will not be limited to, supervising and overseeing the training of CHU staff, participating in the staff selection process, and helping to recruit diverse and qualified applicants when vacancies arise. Substantial administrative responsibilities will also be required.
The CHU Chief will oversee and provide guidance to attorneys, and staff charged with the representation of petitioners in federal capital habeas and related proceedings, and work collaboratively with attorneys and staff. The CHU Chief will also carry their own caseload and personally represent and advocate for clients on death row.
This position will require work on holidays, evenings, and weekends, as the nature of the cases require. This position also requires travel. They must have a driver’s license and appropriate motor vehicle insurance. Assistant Federal Defenders may not engage in the private practice of law.
Full listing at https://ncw.fd.org
Selection Criteria
The successful applicant must be a graduate from an accredited law school, a member in good standing of a state bar, and immediately eligible for District Court/Circuit Court bar admission, if not already admitted. At least 10 years of legal work experience is desired. Some management experience is preferred, as is either current or prior employment by a CHU. Significant experience in capital cases, habeas and/or post-conviction work is required. Experience in the trial of criminal and capital cases is preferred. Experience and understanding of clemency proceedings and method-of-execution litigation is preferred. Applicants should have a commitment to providing high quality representation to indigent defendants and have a reputation for personal integrity. The successful applicant will be a talented legal writer and a proven advocate and litigator in capital habeas and related cases, with substantial experience handling capital post-conviction. The successful applicant must be team oriented, committed to indigent criminal defense, committed to staff diversity, committed to staff development and training, and committed to fostering the office’s role as a resource to other attorneys in capital habeas and related cases.
Strong computer research, word processing, and interpersonal communication skills are essential for this position, as is the ability to analyze legal issues from lengthy, complex records and write clearly and concisely. A successful applicant must be able to prioritize projects and work both independently and cooperatively with AFD’s and CHU staff, and must be willing to devote substantial time to administrative and management tasks.
Full listing at https://ncw.fd.org
How to Apply
Qualified persons may apply by forwarding a letter of interest, résumé and writing sample. Litigation experience should be described in detail. Send completed application in .pdf format to: [email protected]. No phone calls, please.
Full listing at https://ncw.fd.org
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