Capital Habeas Unit Supervisor

The Job
We are hiring a full-time third level supervisor for our Capital Habeas Unit (CHU) housed in our Knoxville office.

Duties
The third level supervisor will serve as chief counsel for the CHU. In this leadership position, the supervisor recommends actions and makes decisions that affect the basic content and character of the CHU’s legal operations. The supervisor manages a team of four assistant federal defenders, two investigators, and four paralegals. Responsibilities include maintaining expertise in federal habeas practice and case law, as well as execution protocols and procedures in jurisdictions where our clients were sentenced; ensuring staff are adequately trained; monitoring caseloads; participating in hiring committees and conducting performance evaluations; managing the CHU operating budget; and participating in cross-organizational collaboration.
Additionally, the supervisor carries a caseload consisting of cases at various stages of post-conviction review. The supervisor writes briefs, motions, and other pleadings; reviews voluminous trial and appellate records; develops claims and litigation strategy; advocates at evidentiary hearings and oral arguments; directs and conducts case-related investigations; and meets with clients, experts, witnesses, and family members.

Who We Are
Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee, Inc. (FDSET) stands on the front lines every day to keep people out of prison and halt state executions. Guided by our core values of compassion, courage, competency, creativity, and collaboration, we provide client-centered representation to those who need it most. Our clients are indigent defendants charged with federal offenses ranging from drug crimes to complex white-collar conspiracies, as well as individuals sentenced to death. Through holistic lawyering, we safeguard our clients’ constitutional rights while championing their dignity, humanity, and future at every stage of their case. We actively embrace diversity, cultivate inclusion, and foster a workplace grounded in fairness, flexibility, and shared purpose. We are united by a deep commitment to standing beside our clients in their most critical moments.
FDSET is a nonprofit community defender organization funded by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, with offices in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Greeneville. Each location has a trial unit, and our Knoxville office is also home to our Capital Habeas Unit—where we handle some of the most complex and high-stakes litigation in the federal system.

The Place
Nestled in the heart of the South, East Tennessee is a place where breathtaking landscapes meet vibrant community life. Framed by the rolling foothills of the Smoky Mountains and laced with miles of rivers and lakes, the region offers postcard-worthy views in every direction. Here, even the largest cities maintain a warm, small-town charm—yet surprise visitors with a dynamic culinary and cultural scene. Savor farm -to-table fare, soulful Southern classics, slow-smoked barbecue, and authentic international cuisine, all perfectly paired with locally crafted beers. Stroll through lively farmers markets, celebrate at year-round festivals, and enjoy performances in venues such as the historic Bijou Theatre or Niswonger Performing Arts Center, which feature Broadway productions, concerts, opera, ballet, and more. Explore award-winning history, science, and children’s museums or cheer on your favorite team—from the Tennessee Volunteers to professional hockey, baseball, roller derby, and even the Bassmaster Elite Series.
With a mild climate that still showcases the beauty of all four seasons, East Tennessee invites outdoor adventure year-round. Spend the day at Dollywood, take in sweeping mountaintop views at Anakeesta, marvel at marine life at the Tennessee Aquarium, or experience beloved traditions like the Greene County Fair and the National Storytelling Festival. With more than 60 state and national parks, including the iconic Great Smoky Mountains National Park, adventure is always just minutes away. And if you’re bringing a four-legged friend, you’ll feel right at home. The area proudly embraces a pet-friendly spirit, with cozy cat cafés, playful goat yoga sessions, ample public water bowls, and wide-open spaces where your pup, horse, cows, and so on, can roam free. In East Tennessee, life moves at the perfect pace.