ASSISTANT FEDERAL DEFENDER – APPELLATE UNIT -Cincinnati
Position Announcement 24-011
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Ohio is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Federal Defender in the Appellate Unit of our Cincinnati office.
Situated two buildings down from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, our Appellate Unit handles criminal appointed cases from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. We are seeking an experienced appellate attorney to join our growing appellate division. If you have a dedication in indigent defense work, and want to grapple with important legal and constitutional issues in a federal appellate setting, then we are place for you. The Appellate Assistant Federal Public Defender (AAFPD) will primarily represent indigent federal defendants in direct criminal appeals and postconviction litigation. Core job duties include researching and analyzing legal issues, drafting briefs, and presenting oral argument. Appellate Unit attorneys also consult with Trial Unit attorneys on the preservation of legal issues for appeal. They are expected to develop and maintain expertise in multiple areas of law and provide training as needed by the office.
This position has the opportunity to be a remote position, provided that the candidate lives within the contiguous 48 states. While the AAFPD would be expected to attend and participate in oral arguments in the Sixth Circuit, as well as make occasional trips to Cincinnati, Ohio for appellate division meetings and other trainings, day to day work can be done remotely.
ABOUT US
The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Ohio provides the highest quality legal representation in criminal cases to persons who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Through our Trial and Appellate Units, we represent people who have been accused of federal criminal offenses from the onset of their case, through the trial and appellate phases. Through our Capital Habeas Unit, we represent people sentenced to death in Ohio and around the country, through state and federal courts and all subsequent proceedings.
We utilize teams with interdisciplinary skill sets that ensure compassionate and comprehensive representation. We are attorneys, paralegals, investigators, office administrators, and information technology specialists who prioritize centering our representation around our clients and their needs.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Our office values diversity, is committed to equity and inclusion, and works to foster a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, openness, and humility that honors the people we represent. We believe representation is better when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. We seek team members who share that belief and commitment. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to the office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences. We are interested in applicants’ talent, intelligence, dedication, and persistence, and desire to see that all people are treated fairly and respectfully – no matter the allegation or circumstance. The FPD seeks applications from a diverse group of qualified individuals in terms 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. We especially encourage applications from members of the BIPOC community, people who have been affected by the criminal legal system, and people from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary of the successful applicant will be commensurate with the person’s qualifications and years of experience. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit). The position offers federal employment benefits, including paid vacation, paid sick time, paid holidays, health insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401k). Part time teleworking is available, consistent with office policy, court obligations, and position duties.
The most important qualification for any position in our office is a strong passion for helping those in need and the willingness and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment dedicated to that goal.
Applicants for this particular position should have the following:
Applicants must be members in good standing of a state bar, be a member of the Sixth Circuit bar (or be qualified to do so within one month of employment) and must show a commitment to providing high quality representation to indigent defendants and have a reputation for personal integrity.
The successful applicant will be a proven advocate and litigator in criminal defense and related cases. We are specifically looking for a candidate with experience in the appellate world, including writing briefs and arguing in front of appellate courts. They must be team oriented and possess interpersonal communication skills and have demonstrated an interest in positive staff relations.
A successful applicant must possess a demonstrated ability to prioritize projects and work both independently and cooperatively with staff.
A successful applicant will also have a clearly demonstrated aptitude for excellence in criminal defense practice, a commitment to the representation of indigent persons, and a reputation for personal integrity.
Qualified applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume, two recent writing samples (limited to 10 pages each), and three professional references. Candidates are encouraged to provide samples of oral arguments and, if possible, provide links to two audio samples of completed oral arguments (preferably by link to an appellate court website). All materials should be submitted in PDF format, to [email protected], by Friday September 6, 2024. Submissions that are incomplete or fail to follow the instructions above will not be considered.
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