Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho is now accepting applications for Fellowship Attorney position(s) in Spokane, Washington. The position is for one year, with the possibility of an extension for another year. The primary practice areas will be before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, and United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. This organization litigates cases in four locations: Richland, Yakima, and Spokane, WA (all in the Eastern District of Washington); and Coeur d’Alene, ID (District of Idaho).
Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho is the Community Defender Organization (see 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(g)(2)(B)) for the Eastern District of Washington and the Northern District of Idaho. The organization is a non-profit corporation funded by a grant from the federal government. Employees of Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho are considered “at will” and are not government employees. The organization provides defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters appointed by the court. The organization's main office is in Spokane, Washington, with a branch office in Yakima, Washington.
JOB DESCRIPTION: An applicant for this position needs no legal experience. We view this position as an opportunity to bring into the federal system people with diverse perspectives. This office believes true excellence is achieved through collaboration between people of diverse perspectives and shared respect. We therefore ask any who share these beliefs apply for this position.
No experience is necessary because we will train you. The fellowship attorney will be learning to handle criminal cases from inception (be it pre-indictment, complaint, or indictment) to either trial or sentencing or both. Initial case assignments will be simple (e.g., supervised release violations and petty offenses), with case assignments becoming more complex as the fellowship attorney is trained. The caseload is varied but includes offenses involving: 1) firearms; 2) drugs; 3) immigration; 4) child pornography; and 5) fraud crimes. And because the Spokane office is surrounded by several Indian Reservations, there are also many cases involving serious assaults (physical and sexual) and murders occurring in Indian Country.
Regular day trips and some overnight travel is required for case investigations, court appearances, and visiting clients housed in various correctional facilities throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho. A fellowship attorney may not engage in the private practice of law. Anticipated start dates: One position for Spring 2021 and one position for Fall 2021 with both positions onboard by September 30, 2021.
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must possess the following license qualifications: 1) be a graduate of an accredited law school; 2) be admitted to practice before the highest court in a state or who are pending admission to a bar but must be licensed by April 1, 2021 (spring position) and November 1, 2021 (fall position) (a Washington State Bar license is not required); 3) be eligible for admission to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington; and 4) be eligible for admission to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. No legal experience necessary, and no more than four (4) years of professional attorney experience.
TO APPLY: Send resume with letter of interest to include bar license state and number (or pending admission’s date), a recent writing sample and 3 references by electronic submissions in PDF format only to:
Email: [email protected]
Subject Line: Fellowship Attorney – Spokane
Please Designate: Spring or Fall Position
No telephone calls: Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
The virtual interview process will be discussed with selected applicants.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
February 26, 2021 [Spring 2021]
March 31, 2021 [Fall 2021]
Applications received after these dates may be considered if the position is not filled.
More than one position may be filled from this announcement and is subject to the availability of funding.