Capital Habeas Attorney - Closing 10/23/2026

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

16d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for full-time attorney positions in its Capital Habeas Unit (CHU), stationed in Los Angeles, California. The CHU advocates for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of indigent persons sentenced to death. We provide the highest quality representation in post-conviction proceedings through diversity of experience, collaborative and thorough case development, focused litigation strategies, and skilled courtroom advocacy.

Requirements

• Graduated from an accredited law school.
• Members in good standing of the California Bar or willing to sit for the next California Bar exam if a member in good standing of another Bar.
• Must be United States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship.
• Commitment to the defense of death sentenced individuals.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Work well in teams.
• Background investigation required as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of experience in state and/or federal criminal law.
• Complex civil litigation experience.
• Death penalty litigation experience.
• Habeas corpus litigation experience.
• State or federal judicial clerkship experience.

Responsibilities

• Represent death-sentenced petitioners from California and other states in their federal habeas corpus proceedings.
• Work on all stages of capital habeas cases, from pre-petition investigation through Supreme Court proceedings and clemency.
• Summarize trial transcripts.
• Draft habeas corpus petitions.
• Supervise teams of investigators and paralegals.
• Direct investigation.
• Work with experts.
• Conduct evidentiary hearings.
• Draft briefs.
• Present oral arguments.
• Draft clemency petitions.
• Represent noncapital habeas petitioners.
• Represent federal criminal defendants.

Benefits

• Health and life insurance
• Retirement
• Thrift Savings Plan
• Telework up to two days per week after successful completion of a probationary period, subject to certain conditions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior