CJA Panel Managing Attorney

The Office of the Federal Defender for the Eastern District of California (FD-CAE) is accepting applications for the permanent full-time position of Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel Managing Attorney in either its Sacramento or Fresno Office as the Duty Station.

The CJA Panel Management Attorney administers and manages the district’s CJA panel attorney program. This position reports to the Defender or their designee and works closely with the Courts, the Defender Services Office (DSO), and the members of the CJA panel to improve the quality of representation and to assist in providing efficient management of CJA resources and support for CJA panel lawyers. Duties may include recruiting panel attorneys, providing training and assistance to panel attorneys, assisting panel attorneys and the Court with the efficient processing of vouchers for reimbursement, reviewing vouchers for reasonableness, consulting about case budgets and service providers, serving on the CJA panel selection committee, and other duties as assigned consistent with the mission of the position. The CJA Panel Management Attorney may supervise other staff in carrying out these functions.

The position requires data analysis and management expertise, an ability to learn and apply federal regulations and guidelines, training and mentoring other attorneys, collaborating with different stakeholders, and a commitment to confidentiality. This position does not involve court appearances or permit the private practice of law. The position is an in-office position and is not authorized for full-time telework.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES:
CJA Panel Vouchers and Payments
• Working with the FD-CAE CJA Administrators to help Panel attorneys and the Court efficiently process vouchers for payment;
• Reviewing vouchers submitted by attorneys, experts, and other service providers for reasonableness, accuracy, and compliance with District, Circuit, and national guidelines;
• Consulting with judges about significant issues or proposed voucher reductions;
• Reviewing CJA funding requests with input from the Circuit’s Case Budgeting Attorney to recommend to judges whether requested hours and rates are consistent with CJA guidelines and reasonable;
• Helping judges with improving efficiencies, e.g., helping Panel attorneys coordinate duplicative motions, streamlining discovery review (e.g., using a shared coordinating discovery attorney), and coordinating investigation and other pretrial needs consistent with privilege, client loyalty, and District guidelines;
• Maintaining knowledge of the CJA payment database program (eVoucher), proposing improvements, and implementing updates; and
• Collecting and analyzing data and reports regarding CJA voucher payments, procedures, and panel management, offering recommendations when appropriate.
CJA Panel Recruitment, Selection, Retention, and Diversity
• Creating and maintaining (along with the Defender, FD-CAE CJA Administrators, and Panel Selection Committees) our CJA Developmental Panel and other recruitment strategies and techniques; and
• Assisting with coordinating and conducting performance reviews for Panel attorneys when they reapply to the panels.
CJA Panel Training, Mentoring, and CLEs
• Working with the FD-CAE CJA training committees to help organize, manage, and contribute to training the District’s CJA Panels (may require travel between each court); and
• Working with each division’s mentoring program and providing program recommendations to the Defender and panel members.
Other Duties
• Acting as liaison between CJA Panel attorneys, the CJA Panel Representatives, the United States District Court, the Federal Defender, and other Court agencies;
• Assisting, as needed, with making prompt counsel appointments for federal court indigent defendants, witnesses, targets, etc.;
• Acting, along with CJA Administrative staff, as a CJA Panel member resource for finding experts, interpreters, psychiatrists, investigators, etc., including creating and maintaining lists of various court experts;
• Remaining current with developments within the Circuit and across the country, as well as evolving legislation about the CJA Panel, and updating Panel attorneys and judges, as appropriate;
• Advising the Federal Defender on national and local policy changes, creating and updating local policy, and implementing and communicating new policy changes to the Panel;
• Working to fulfill the Cardone Report’s recommendations and goals; and
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills: Qualified candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to and comfort with working with diverse communities and commitment to criminal defense, civil rights, and/or social justice. Our ideal candidate must be able to develop full knowledge of and interpret CJA Guidelines and federal travel regulations, the Guide to Judiciary Policy, Circuit and District CJA policies and procedures, and local court rules. Candidates must have a positive work ethic, a reputation for personal and professional integrity, ability to always maintain confidentiality, and an ability to work well with a diverse group of stakeholders. Fluency in Word, Excel or Tableau spreadsheets, and Adobe is a must, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills. Our ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, keep orderly information flow, and prioritize tasks.

Salary and Benefits
The Office of the Federal Defender operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, to provide legal representation in federal criminal cases and related matters in the federal courts. This is a full-time permanent position.
Salary: Competitive salary, health coverage, long term disability and life insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan. The pay range is: Fresno $103,701 to $187,381/Sacramento $114,332 to $191,900 per annum (range represents 5 years to 15 plus years legal experience. Federal government benefits apply, including retirement; health, life, and long-term insurances; a thrift savings program; and flexible spending accounts. Direct deposit of pay required. Federal Defender employees are considered “at-will” and are not covered by the Civil Service Reform Act.