The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia seeks candidates interested in joining our November, 2024 trial class.
PDS Overview:
A major portion of the work of PDS consists of representing individuals in the District of Columbia’s local criminal legal system who are charged with committing serious criminal acts and who are eligible for court-appointed counsel. In the District of Columbia, public defense services are provided primarily by PDS (the “institutional defender”) and a panel of private attorneys, known ad Criminal Justice Act (CJA) attorneys, who are screened for membership on the panel and paid on a case-by-case basis by the D.C. courts. Because of its resources, well-regarded training program, and institutional practice knowledge, PDS lawyers handle the most serous criminal cases consistent with the best practices of the legal profession.
Position Description
Staff attorneys in the Trial Division zealously represent adults in criminal proceedings in the District of Columbia Superior Court (Superior Court) and children in delinquency matters. Attorneys are assigned to specific levels of cases, based on experience and performance. Those case levels are juvenile, general felony, serious felony and felony I. Most trial attorneys with less than three years of experience will spend their first year representing juvenile clients.
As specialists who participate in complex litigation, PDS trial attorneys are expected to handle all phases of litigation in the D.C. Superior Court, including demanding and reviewing discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs, motions and other legal documents, attending court conferences, arguing motions and conducting trials. As part of their work, attorneys communicate regularly with clients, both in the community and at the D.C. Jail and the Central Treatment Facility. Trial attorneys work on individual and co-counseled cases and direct teams that include investigators, interns and law clerks. Due to the nature of the work, trial attorneys are often required to work nights, weekends and other non-traditional schedules.
This is not a remote location position.
Required Qualifications
J.D. or equivalent degree from an accredited law school by June 2024; excellent research, writing, and oral persuasion skills; strong discretion, judgment and the ability to analyze, interpret and make decisions based on complex factors and membership in the District of Columbia Bar or eligibility to practice pursuant to either D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 49(c)(9)(B) or 49(c)(9)(C). For law graduates, bar membership or eligibility to practice in D.C. should be specifically addressed in the cover letter. Successful applicants are required to make a three-year commitment to the Trial Division.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience interning at public defender or criminal defense-adjacent offices, participation in law school clinics or experience representing low-income clients charged with serious crimes.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit: (1) a cover letter; (2) a resume; (3) a list of three references (name, e-mail address, telephone number, and a brief statement of how each reference is able to evaluate your skills), (4) an unofficial law school transcript, and (5) a response to the question “Why do you want to be a public defender?” (Include a discussion of your background and/or any personal experience significantly contributing to your desire to do this work, no more than three typewritten pages, single- or double-spaced). All materials must be submitted online as a consolidated PDF through the PDS employment web portal https://lawcruit.micronapps.com/sup/ApplicationForm.aspx?lawfirm=168&id=3
For questions about the hiring process, requirements or assistance with applying, please contact:
Jennifer Thomas, Director of Legal Recruiting, (202) 480-0385, [email protected]