Noncapital Habeas Unit Law Clerk

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

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Noncapital Habeas Unit (or “NCHU”) of the Federal Public Defender for the Central District represents indigent California inmates who challenge their state-court convictions or sentences in federal habeas corpus cases—often the last chance a person has to challenge their unconstitutional conviction or sentence. If you’re a law student interested in working on these cases, we have unpaid, full-time summer clerkships available. For ten weeks, NCHU clerks will work closely with case teams at our downtown L.A. office in most every aspect of their work—from investigating and developing the factual bases for our client’s claims, to researching discrete issues in criminal and constitutional law, to drafting claims for federal habeas petitions, to writing sections of appellate briefs. You’ll also get a chance to observe case-management meetings and participate in moots for Ninth Circuit arguments. Through it all, you’ll get both informal training through attorney mentors and more formal training through sessions dedicated to the nuts and bolts of noncapital habeas practice.

Requirements

• Attending an accredited law school
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated interest in indigent defense

Responsibilities

• Investigating and developing the factual bases for our client’s claims
• Researching discrete issues in criminal and constitutional law
• Drafting claims for federal habeas petitions
• Writing sections of appellate briefs
• Observing case-management meetings
• Participating in moots for Ninth Circuit arguments

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed