The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of North Carolina seeks an Assistant Federal Public Defender for its Capital Habeas Unit for the Fourth Circuit (“the CHU”).
About Us: Our regional CHU represents indigent people sentenced to death in the state and federal courts within the Fourth Circuit’s appellate jurisdiction. We have an experienced team of investigators, paralegals, and attorneys who are committed to innovative and passionate advocacy.
Our office is based in Charlotte, a compact and thriving city in the Carolina Piedmont. Charlotte offers expansive parks and greenways, premier theatre and concert venues, outstanding restaurants, professional sports, and a strong public school system. It’s also within easy reach of the Carolina coast and the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.
We recognize that we cannot serve the distinct needs of our clients without assembling a diverse team of dedicated professionals who work and advocate collaboratively on their behalf. We welcome applicants of any race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, and status. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace. Click here for the full version of this announcement, which has our Mission, Vision, and Values statements attached to provide additional insight into the work that you will be asked to perform as an employee of this office: https://ncw.fd.org/sites/ncw/files/employment/Position%20Announcement%20....
Job Description: The scope of our work includes all stages of federal habeas corpus proceedings, stay litigation, method-of-execution challenges, and executive clemency. We have an active caseload in North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and the United States Military. We regularly litigate in federal district courts, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States. The attorney will have a full caseload of such matters, supervising the assigned paralegal and investigator. Core duties include: building relationships with clients; analyzing large case files to identify legal claims; directing and participating in investigation; working with experts; developing litigation strategies; motions practice and pleadings; conducting evidentiary hearings; and oral argument. The attorney will also serve as resource counsel and work collaboratively with outside attorneys and organizations. The position might require frequent travel and work outside of business hours, including weekends and holidays.
Salary and Benefits: Starting salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications, with a current range of $78,459-$184,093 (if based in Charlotte, NC). This is an excepted service position with federal employee benefits, including health and life insurance and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension, Social Security, and Thrift Savings Plan. We observe Federal holidays and provide generous annual and personal leave. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).
Conditions of Employment: All application information is subject to verification. Applicants must be United States citizens, or persons authorized to work in the United States. Appointment to the position is provisional pending the successful completion of a background check. A prior criminal conviction is not necessarily disqualifying. Employees are members of the judicial branch and considered “at will” employees. Travel by a personal vehicle may be required.
Requirements: Applicants should have at least five years of capital habeas or comparable experience and demonstrable skill in written and oral advocacy. Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school, a member in good standing of the highest court in the state where licensed, and committed to the representation of indigent clients.
This is a fully remote position within the States of the Fourth Circuit. Employees working remotely must reside, or be willing to relocate, within the Fourth Circuit for the duration of their employment.
How to Apply. Qualified persons should email a single PDF containing a letter of interest, résumé, and a writing sample of no more than ten pages to [email protected], with “Assistant Federal Public Defender (CHU)” in the subject line.
Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
We welcome requests for accommodations from applicants with disabilities. Please submit any such requests to [email protected].
Interviews will be conducted in person or virtually.
This position is subject to the availability of funds.
The Federal Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
