Appellate Attorney - First Step Act Specialist

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California•Los Angeles, CA

23d

About The Position

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time attorney position in its appellate unit, stationed in Los Angeles, California. The appellate unit is committed to the pursuit of justice by aggressively advocating in federal court for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of individuals who are convicted of crimes and cannot afford their own lawyer. This attorney will be primarily dedicated to helping clients obtain sentencing relief under the First Step Act.

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.
A background investigation is required as a condition of employment.
In line with current federal appropriations law, applicants must be Unted States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship as described here: https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/search-judiciary-jobs/citizenship-requirements-employment-judiciary.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to applicants with at least three years of experience in state or federal criminal law or in appeals, and federal judicial clerkship experience.
Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to indigent criminal defense and/or public interest law
Candidates must have superior oral and written communication skills
Candidates must possess excellent research skills
Candidates must have the ability to manage a high-volume caseload
Candidates must work well in teams

Responsibilities

Identifying clients eligible for potential sentencing relief under the First Step Act
Managing the office’s growing docket of First Step Act-eligible clients
Coordinating with relevant stakeholders to obtain early release
Preparing briefs and presenting oral argument in the district court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, when necessary, regarding First Step Act and related sentencing issues
Develop and maintain expertise in multiple areas of law
Provide training and oversight as needed by the office