The Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is currently seeking up to two candidates to join its dynamic team as Barry P. Helft Appellate Fellows. Ideal candidates for the Fellowship will be third-year law students. If you have a commitment to civil rights work on behalf of the most marginalized Californians, excellent writing skills, and a willingness to challenge yourself with high-level capital defense appellate work, please join us and help save lives.
Barry P. Helft worked nearly 50 years in the practice of law and spent 25 of those years at OSPD. His name is attached to this fellowship as the embodiment of the vow that OSPD lawyers make to their clients to provide the best representation available. OSPD fulfills that promise by providing the mentorship and training our attorneys need to become the best appellate litigators they can be. Barry made the same promise to each lawyer he trained: Regardless of your skill level when starting at OSPD, you will be a better lawyer when you leave than you were when you started. The goal of this fellowship is to continue to fulfill that promise to the next generation of appellate defenders.
The Barry P. Helft Fellow (Graduate Legal Assistant [GLA]) is a limited-term appointment in OSPD’s Appellate Fellowship Program. Fellows are employed at will, and the total term of employment is up to 24 months, subject to funding availability. Under direct supervision from a Supervising Deputy State Public Defender, or a designee, incumbents perform a wide variety of challenging legal work including: (1) providing high quality and effective assistance of counsel to indigent persons who are appealing their criminal convictions in the California Courts of Appeal and/or the California Supreme Court; (2) drafting amicus briefs and/or letters filed by OSPD on matters crucial to the development of criminal law as it relates to indigent defendants; (3) assisting in developing arguments in support of systemic litigation to address inequities in the criminal justice system.
Applicants must have current eligibility to take the California State Bar Exam. Persons in their last year of law school may compete in the examination but may not be appointed until they have eligibility to take the California State Bar Exam. Candidates who are already active members of the California Bar may apply to the Fellowship Attorney class at JC-437854.
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
Resume is required and must be included.
Other -
Cover letter
Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your legal work.
Provide proof of Juris Doctor (JD)
Legal writing sample: A legal writing sample, preferably including substantive legal analysis, is required. Your sample should be no longer than 10 pages single-spaced/20 pages double-spaced with 12pt. font.
Please note: Applications received without a legal writing sample will not be considered.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Knowledge of legal research methods and performing research.
Knowledge of legal principles and their application.
Knowledge of the scope and character of California statutory law and the provisions of the California Constitution. Knowledge of principles of administrative, constitutional, and criminal law.
Knowledge of trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence.
Knowledge of computer programs in an efficient and effective manner.
Ability to perform research and investigation.
Ability to analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, and precedents to legal problems.
Ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form.
Ability to prepare correspondence and legal memorandums involving the explanation of legal.
The Fellowship is designed for recent law school graduates who are committed to public service and have excellent writing skills.
3Ls or those who have not yet passed the California Bar can apply here:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=...
Applicants who are members of the California Bar can apply here:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=...
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