The Federal Public Defender Office for the Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island is hiring an experienced trial attorney to be full-time Assistant Federal Public Defender (AFPD) in its Western Massachusetts office. The position will be based in our office’s Springfield, Massachusetts branch. The successful applicant will be selected through a nation-wide search. All eligible attorneys interested in this position are encouraged to apply.
The AFPD position requires managing cases at various stages of litigation; preparing pleadings, briefs, and motions; appearing on behalf of clients in court hearings and at other related proceedings; developing litigation strategies; meeting with clients, experts, witnesses, and family members; and performing other duties as assigned. The AFPD will work to uphold every person’s right to be presumed innocent; receive a vigorous defense; and, if convicted, receive a fair sentence. They will advocate for humane sentences by collaborating with teams of investigators, paralegals, mitigation specialists, and other staff to develop mitigation evidence and to present judges with developed views of our clients and their lives, not merely their charges. This position requires significant travel throughout our district and occasional out-of-district travel. The AFPD primarily represents indigent individuals charged in federal district court with committing federal criminal offenses. The AFPD also represents clients on appeal before the circuit court, in post-conviction proceedings, and as grand jury or trial witnesses. The Springfield AFPD reports directly to the Federal Public Defender or another designated supervising attorney in Boston.
Starting salary for the Assistant Federal Public Defender – will be set commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant currently yielding $81,963 to $191,900 per annum.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants must send an e-mail titled “Assistant Federal Public Defender” with a single Adobe .pdf document which includes:
◻ A Cover Letter;
◻ A Resume and Three References;
◻ Form AO-78 (found at https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/ao078.pdf); and
◻ A Writing Sample (10-20 pages).
◻ Send all items listed above to .
*No Calls Please. Applicants who apply without submitting all four documents will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by February 23, 2024. The selected candidate will be subject to a background check or investigations and subsequent favorable suitability determination for employment. We are an equal opportunity employer.
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