Overview

Assistant Federal Public Defenders fight systemic injustice by advocating for qualified defendants in federal criminal cases and other covered matters for individuals who are financially unable to obtain adequate representation.

Primary Job Duties

• Represent qualifying individuals charged with violating federal criminal statutes by handling all stages of federal criminal trial matters in the district court.
• Frequently appear in court before both magistrate judges and district court judges. Court appearances include: initial appearances, pretrial release hearings, motion hearings, trials, sentencings, appeals, and probation violation proceedings.
• Advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds, including those with histories of trauma, mental health, and substance abuse issues.
• Work in teams with co-counsel, investigators, paralegals, legal assistants, social workers, and contracted experts.

• Support clients through holistic problem-solving and community engagement during pretrial, trial, and sentencing proceedings, as well as with reentry.
• Write persuasive briefs to achieve client goals and work for improvement in the law.
• Maintain frequent client contact in person, by phone, and in writing.

Required Qualifications

• Applicants must have the knowledge, skills, and ability needed to immediately defend indigent individuals in criminal cases in the S. District Court for the District of Oregon.
• Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school and an active member in good standing of the bar in any state, territory, or possession.
• Applicants must have at least three (3) years of state or federal criminal practice; have recent, substantial criminal felony trial-level experience; strong written and oral advocacy skills; and a proven commitment to indigent criminal
• Strong technological, organizational, and interpersonal skills are required.
• A demonstrated commitment to and comfort working with diverse communities and with clients from a range of backgrounds is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Federal court experience, immigration law experience, habeas corpus experience, and Spanish-language skills are all preferred qualifications.
• Experience mentoring and supporting law school students is preferred.

Selection Criteria

Application materials, interviews, and reference check information must demonstrate that the candidate possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to this office’s mission of zealously protecting our clients’ interests.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, a relevant writing sample, and contact information for three (3) professional references as a single PDF attachment by email to: oregon_personnel@fd.org subject line “AFPD” When saving your documents as one PDF, it is important to name the file using only your last name and “_AFPD”. Only candidates selected for an interview will be notified.

About Federal Public Defender, District of Oregon

The Office of the Federal Public Defender, District of Oregon, operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act of 1964 (CJA), 18 U.S.C. § 3006A. We provide defense services to individuals who are financially unable to obtain adequate representation in federal criminal cases and other covered matters, such as an investigation for a federal offense, contact by a law enforcement agency concerning a federal investigation, subpoenaed to appear in U.S. District Court, etc.

Connections working at Federal Public Defender, District of Oregon