Assistant Federal Public Defender, SDTX (Position Announcement No. 27-01L

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Job location
Laredo, TX
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Office of the Federal Public Defender- Southern District of Texas
Organization URL: 
https://www.fpdsdot.org/en/
Job type: 
Legal - Defender
Position Description: 

The Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Texas, is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Federal Public Defender to be stationed in the Laredo, TX 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.

The assistant federal public defender will primarily appear in the district court and will represent clients charged with federal criminal offenses as well as clients involved in other matters covered under the Criminal Justice Act. The position requires travel for investigation, litigation, and training. Federal public defender attorneys may not engage in the private practice of law.

Requirements: 

An assistant federal public defender must be: (1) a graduate of an accredited law school and admitted to practice in good standing before the highest court of a state; (2) licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas by the time of entrance on duty. Spanish language proficiency is required for this position. Three to five years of relevant experience is preferred. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation including an FBI name and fingerprint check and an IRS tax check.

To apply: 

Qualified persons may apply by forwarding a letter of interest (mentioning announcement number 27-01L), résumé, and representative writing sample. Legal experience should be described in detail. Application packet should be sent to: Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Texas, 440 Louisiana Street, Suite 1350, Houston, Texas 77002, or email in PDF format to [email protected]. For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations, which are decided on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please contact Administrative Officer Laura Dusthimer at (713) 718-4600. More than one position may be filled with this announcement. Position announced on October 7, 2026; open until filled.

Notes: 
The salary of an assistant federal public defender is commensurate with that of an assistant United States attorney with similar qualifications and experience. The position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service. The position does include regular government employment benefits including health and life insurance, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).
Salary range: 
The salary of an assistant federal public defender is commensurate with that of an assistant United States attorney with similar qualifications and experience.

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