AFPDs represent clients in federal court at every stage of the federal criminal process, prepare written submissions, work collaboratively with other attorneys and staff, conduct client interviews and direct the defense investigation in the representation of indigent federal criminal defendants in the Norfolk and Newport News divisions of the Eastern District of Virginia.

Duties

Provides zealous, professional legal representation to his/her clients. Appears, on behalf of the client, in court hearings and at other related proceedings. Communicates with the court, opposing counsel, probation officers, witnesses, clients and the families of clients concerning case-related issues. Maintains in-depth and updated knowledge of criminal defense trial and appellate practices and case law. Develops expertise with the federal sentencing guidelines, understands the ethical obligations and restrictions and practices courtroom advocacy. Pursues all appropriate available training opportunities including local or nationally sponsored core training within the limits of funding, workload and defender organization approval. Prepares motions and briefs for consideration in federal magistrate, district, and appellate courts. Also prepares petitions for certiorari. Prepares legal memoranda, review of issues, comprehensive statements of relevant facts, standards of review and briefs complex legal and factual arguments. Consults with investigative and legal staff regarding issues relevant to the case. Examines complex and diverse records. Reviews the record proper, exhibits, transcripts and tapes of trials and hearings in habeas and direct appeals cases. Analyzes the record and determines relevant legal issues. Determines the need for an evidentiary hearing and prepares evidence for presentation. Performs legal research utilizing all available resources including computer-assisted legal research tools. Research includes state and federal statutes, case law, regulations, precedents, treaties, sentencing guidelines, and related subject matter. Analyzes legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and related legal materials. Compiles and summarizes substantive information on statutes, treaties and specific legal subjects. Analyzes the potential impact of new legislation, policies and regulations on the defender organization. Recommends short and long range plans to ensure efficient operations. Updates research and prepares for oral argument. Prioritizes issues, analyzes difficulties of the case and prepares responses to possible panel questions. Continues development of strong written and verbal communication skills to enhance professional documentation and interpersonal interaction. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

A successful applicant must be an attorney who demonstrates strong oral communication, research, and writing abilities and has experience in criminal law, including familiarity with federal sentencing guidelines. Strength in legal writing, and specifically federal motion and appellate practice, is a plus. Applicants must have a reputation for personal and professional integrity, as well as a demonstrated commitment to indigent criminal defense and possess the ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and court personnel. Applicants must be licensed by and have good standing before the highest court of any state, the District of Columbia, or the Supreme Court of the United States. Applicants also must be authorized to work in the United States. EDUCATION Must be a graduate of an accredited law school and possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AD-21 ($69,961 - $106,690) At a minimum candidates must possess zero to three years of professional attorney experience. AD-23 ($75,168 - $114,633) At a minimum candidates must possess three to five years of professional attorney experience. AD-25 ($80,765 - $123,167) At a minimum candidates must possess five to six years of professional attorney experience. AD-26 ($86,778 - $132,338) At a minimum candidates must possess six to seven years of professional attorney experience. AD-27 ($93,241 - $142,192) At a minimum candidates must possess seven to eight years of professional attorney experience. AD-28 ($100,184 - $152,779) At a minimum candidates must possess eight to nine years of professional attorney experience. AD-29 ($107,640 - $182,990) At a minimum candidates must possess 9+ years of professional attorney experience. In determining the number of years of professional attorney experience, only activities that a practicing attorney would normally perform may be counted, and such experience may be counted only from the time that the candidate completed law school. Investigative, quasi-legal, and other types of non-attorney law enforcement-related or defense-related experience (e.g., experience as an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation or as an investigator in an FDO are not creditable in determining years of professional attorney experience). Legal research and writing experience obtained after graduation from law school may be counted as professional attorney experience - upon review of such experience and its applicability to the position.

Education

Candidates must possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and be a graduate of an accredited law school.

Contacts

• Address Office of the Federal Public Defender, Eastern District of Virginia 1650 King Street STE 500 Alexandria, VA 22314 US
• Name: Human Resources
• Email: [email protected]