Position Announcement #2021-002
The Federal Public Defender for the District of Alaska is accepting applications for the full-time, permanent position of Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Appellate Unit. The official duty station will be Anchorage, Alaska. The Federal Public Defender provides defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters in federal court pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A.
Appellate attorneys primarily represent indigent federal defendants in direct criminal appeals. Duties include counseling clients with respect to their appeals and presenting oral argument in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; managing a caseload which consists of cases at various stages of post-conviction review; preparing briefs, motions, and other pleadings; reviewing voluminous trial and appellate records; developing claims and litigation strategy; advocating at evidentiary hearings and oral arguments. 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 oversite as needed by the office.
The starting salary for this position will be set commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant. This position includes federal employment benefits, including health and life insurance, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit). Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation and available funding. See full vacancy announcement on our website at http://ak.fd.org/.
All applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and be admitted to practice and be in good standing before the highest court of any state, federal territory, or the District of Columbia. Preference will be given to applicants with at least three years of experience in state or federal criminal law or in appeals, and federal judicial clerkship experience. Applicants must be a United States citizen or authorized to work in the United States.
Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to indigent criminal defense and/or public interest law and have a reputation for personal integrity; must have superior written and oral advocacy skills, proficiency in computer-based research, proven research skills, and the ability to manage a high-volume caseload.
Applications are due by Monday, April 26, 2021. Apply by emailing a letter of interest, resume, one recent writing sample that has not been edited by others, and three professional references familiar with your legal skills, to: Ms. Loisi Vailea, Administrative Officer, at [email protected].
No telephone inquires please.
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
