The Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Texas, is accepting applications for the position of Research and Writing Specialist to be stationed in the Houston office. The federal defender organization operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, to provide defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters by appointment from the court.
Duties. The primary duties of a research and writing specialist include: (1) drafting motions, memoranda, briefs, and petitions to be filed in the U.S. district court; and (2) consulting with attorneys on legal issues arising in discovery, motion practice, trial, and sentencing. A research and writing specialist may be required to perform general paralegal duties, as well as other duties as assigned. The research and writing specialist is not an assistant federal public defender and does not ordinarily sign pleadings or make court appearances. The position requires occasional travel.
A research and writing specialist is an attorney position. Applicants must be: (1) a graduate of an accredited law school, and admitted to practice in good standing before the highest court of a state; and (2) licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas by the time of entrance on duty. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including an FBI name and fingerprint check and an IRS tax check.
Qualified people may apply by forwarding a letter of interest (mentioning announcement number 24-05H), résumé, and representative writing sample. Legal experience should be described in detail. Send completed application to: Marjorie A Meyers, Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Texas, 440 Louisiana Street, Suite 1350, Houston, TX 77002, or email in PDF format to [email protected]. For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations, determined on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, contact Administrative Officer Laura Dusthimer at (713) 718-4600. Position announced March 14, 2024; open until filled.