Federal Defenders seeks to recruit attorneys who strive for excellence, are willing to battle time and again against all odds, and who are committed to toiling tirelessly to protect the rights of the indigent accused. We attend national recruitment fairs searching for motivated and dedicated new graduates to join our team. Federal Defenders always welcomes applications from attorneys finishing judicial clerkships and other significant legal positions. We actively recruit year round to fill positions as they become available.

TRIAL ATTORNEY VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., is looking for an attorney with a demonstrated interest in indigent defense as well as excellent research and writing skills to join our team. The primary duties of trial attorneys at Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. are to represent indigent persons accused of federal crimes at all stages of their court proceedings.

Trial attorneys interview clients prior to their first appearances, make sure that an attorney is assigned, fight for bail and conduct detention hearings. For clients that are assigned to Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. for the remainder of their cases, trial attorneys review discovery, convey offers, represent clients at their preliminary hearings, arraignments on indictment, waivers of indictment, and/or jury trial. Trial attorneys handle cases arising from complaints and/or indictments filed by the federal government. They also handle identity and removal hearings as well as supervised release revocation proceedings.

Trial attorneys are expected to prepare their own cases for trial, including but not limited to: investigation, witness preparation, organizing a brain storm of the case for the other attorneys in the office, writing cross-examinations, opening statements, and closing arguments. If a case is lost at the district court level, the trial attorney will also represent the client on appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. During the appeal, the trial attorney will brain storm the appeal with her appellate supervisor, do legal research, write the opening and reply briefs, and argue the case before the appellate courts.

Federal Defenders offers a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Federal Defenders hires persons immediately following graduation from law school as well as attorneys finishing clerkships or other legal positions.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and detailed resume to:
Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc.
Attn: Michele A. McKenzie
225 Broadway, Ste. 900
San Diego, CA 92101
Or e-mail a cover letter and detailed resume, and writing sample to: Michele McKenzie

No phone calls please. Open until filled.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

TRIAL TEAM LEADER VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Trial Team Leaders of Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., are responsible for supervising trial teams comprised of 6-7 attorneys with differing levels of experience in federal criminal trial practice. The Trial Team Leader oversees, assists with, and provides professional advice and guidance for the in-court and in-office legal work done by trial team members. The Trial Team Leader assigns cases to his or her team, ensures that work is distributed equitably among the team, while keeping in mind the goals of the organization as a whole to provide the highest quality representation to indigent criminal defendants possible. The Trial Team Leader is charged with closely supervising his or her least experienced attorneys (first two-years at office), including acting as supervisors on particular cases, taking these attorneys on the Trial Team Leader’s own cases, closely reviewing their closed cases files and monitoring their in-court work.

The Trial Team Leader is also responsible for spot-checking closed files of every member, even those most senior on the trial team, to ensure high-quality representation is maintained, observing those trial team members’ in-court work, attending brainstorms for all trial team members whenever practicable, regularly meeting, either individually or as a group, with the trial team, and writing reviews of each trial team member which will determine the extent of a salary increase for each attorney. Trial Team leaders are also responsible for ensuring that their team members comply with certain administrative duties, such as doing timekeeper, closing cases, inputting hours in ELMO, and other office requirements.

The Trial Team Leader is encouraged to carry a caseload of trial and appellate work though his or her first priority should be the needs of the trial team.

Trial Team Leaders also work with other groups in the office, such as the investigators, interpreters and support staff to ensure good communication between these individuals and the attorneys they work with and to address any difficulties which arise.

Finally, Trial Team Leaders assist and meet regularly with all other supervising management of the office in order to ensure that the office is carrying out its commitment to defend the indigent accused as best as possible, and to ensure smooth and orderly office functioning.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and detailed resume to:
Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc.
Attn: Michele A. McKenzie
225 Broadway, Ste. 900
San Diego, CA 92101
Or e-mail a cover letter and detailed resume to: Michele McKenzie

No phone calls please. Open until filled.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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