The Federal Defender of the Middle District of Georgia, Inc., (FDMDGA) has an opening for an Assistant Federal Defender in its Macon, GA office. This office handles trial level cases before the United States Magistrate and District Courts within the Middle District of Georgia and appeals before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
AFPDs represent persons who are charged with violating federal law and are financially unable to afford an attorney. The FDMDGA believes in the power of a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to defense advocacy. There is value in a diversity of voices, thoughts, and experiences when approaching the representation of someone accused of a federal criminal offense. To that end, at the FDMDGA attorneys work in teams composed of an attorney, a paralegal, a trial investigator, and a mitigation investigator. Each team has full responsibility for its cases from bail/detention issues to the conclusion of the case; at the same time the FDMDGA promotes an interactive and collaborative atmosphere amongst all personnel so as to benefit from the diversity of experience within the office. The FDMDGA prides itself on being diverse, inclusive, and providing zealous representation through a client-centered approach.
The FDMDGA believes that there is great power in embracing, and utilizing, the unique skills and contributions our employees can bring to the FDMDGA because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences. The ideal candidate we seek shares this belief also. We are interested in applicants’ talent, intelligence, dedication, persistence, work ethic, and desire to see that all people are treated fairly and respectfully. The FDMDGA seeks applications from a diverse group of qualified individuals in terms of race, ethnicity, nation of origin, culture, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual identity, education, opinions, age, languages spoken, veteran status, disability, religion, and socioeconomic circumstance, and lived experience.
Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of any state and eligible to practice in a United States District Court. Preferred experience and skills include criminal trial experience, knowledge of federal criminal trial practice, proficiency of legal research, writing and oral advocacy; the ability to work collaboratively and the ability to respect and appreciate differences. Compassion for accused persons and an appreciation for the impact that arrest, accusation, and detention, as well as conviction and sentencing, have on clients, their families, and their communities is a necessary component of the work. Fluency in Spanish is a plus, but not required.
This is a full-time position with salary and benefits based on qualifications and experience. Salary is on a scale equivalent to those of the Assistant United States Attorneys. Benefits include 100% payment of health insurance premiums for EE Only and 80/25 all other Employees. AFPD’s at the FDMDGA also are eligible to participate in our telework program which allows for teleworking three days per week for AFPDs.
The FDMDGA is a nonprofit corporation, funded by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. It is not an agency of the federal government and staff members are not federal employees.
Resumes will be accepted until filled. Applications should contain a cover letter describing relevant experience(s) and why you are interested in this work, a resume, three references, and a recent writing sample of substance. Applications should be emailed to the following:
Byron Conway, Executive Director