Federal Public Defender's Office - Central District of California
Application
Details
Posted: 13-Jun-25
Location: Los Angeles or Santa Ana, California
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Attorney
Government
Required Education:
Juris Doctor
Additional Information:
Hybrid/Remote is allowed.
The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for full-time attorney positions in its Capital Habeas Unit (CHU), stationed in Los Angeles or Santa Ana, California. The CHU advocates for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of indigent persons sentenced to death. We provide the highest quality representation in post-conviction proceedings through diversity of experience, collaborative and thorough case development, focused litigation strategies, and skilled courtroom advocacy.
Job Duties: CHU attorneys represent death-sentenced inmates from California and other states in their federal habeas corpus proceedings. Attorneys in the CHU are expected to work on all stages of capital habeas cases, from pre-petition investigation through Supreme Court proceedings and clemency. General areas of responsibility include summarizing trial transcripts, drafting habeas corpus petitions, supervising teams of investigators and paralegals, directing investigation, working with experts, conducting evidentiary hearings, drafting briefs, presenting oral arguments, and drafting clemency petitions. In addition to representing capital inmates in their habeas proceedings, CHU attorneys represent noncapital habeas petitioners and federal criminal defendants.
Salary/Benefits: This is a full-time, at-will position. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and is subject to direct deposit. Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement, and a Thrift Savings Plan. After successful completion of a probationary period, eligible employees may elect to telework up to two days per week, subject to certain conditions. For more information on benefits, see http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.
How to Apply: Apply by submitting a letter of interest, résumé, two representative writing samples (limited to 15 pages each), and three references through our website at https://fpdcdca.org/careers/current-openings/. All application materials must be received by Friday,July 11, 2025; however, interviews will occur on a rolling basis and the open position may be filled before that date. The Federal Public Defender’s Office may fill future positions from this vacancy announcement. Please, no phone calls.
The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age, are encouraged to apply.
Requirements: All applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and be members in good standing of the California Bar or must be willing to sit for the next California Bar exam, if they are a member in good standing of another Bar. Preference will be given to applicants with at least three years of experience in state and/or federal criminal law, complex civil litigation, death penalty litigation, or habeas corpus litigation, or applicants with state or federal judicial clerkship experience.
Selection Criteria: Candidatesmust possess a commitment to the defense of death sentenced individuals; must have superior oral and written communication skills; and work well in teams.
About Federal Public Defender's Office - Central District of California
The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California has been representing indigent clients charged with federal crimes since 1971. The Central District of California encompasses seven counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo) and has a population of over 19 million people. We have the largest office in the national federal defender system, with offices in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and Riverside that serve the federal courthouses in each location.
We represent the vast majority of people charged with federal crimes in the Central District. Our representation starts from the day of arrest through the resolution of the case by trial or plea and in the event of sentencing. After sentencing, we continue to represent our clients on appeal before the Ninth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court, and again should there be alleged probation or supervised release violations.
Our capital habeas unit represents people who have been sentenced to death by state court juries from within the Central District, and whose convictions have proceeded through the state court appellate process and are now bef...ore the federal court on claims involving federal constitutional violations. Our Non-Capital Habeas Unit represents petitioners in non-capital habeas proceedings who allege that their state convictions are invalid due to federal constitutional violations.
When our Los Angeles office opened in 1971, it consisted of a small group of lawyers and support staff who occupied the 15th floor of the original United States Courthouse building at 312 North Spring Street in Los Angeles. Today, under Federal Public Defender Cuauhtemoc Ortega, the office has over 230 employees, including approximately 105 attorneys, 26 paralegals, 35 investigators, and more than 66 supporting staff members.
