Assistant Federal Defender

United States Courts; Hartford (CT); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid sick time

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan (401k)

Teleworking available

Job summary

Connecticut Federal Public Defender seeks an Assistant Federal Defender to begin by Sept. 15, 2026. The role focuses on providing rigorous representation to indigent clients charged with federal offenses in U.S.

District Court. Responsibilities include managing a heavy caseload, drafting pleadings, and appearing in court, hearings, and related proceedings. The ideal candidate will have strong research and writing skills, knowledge of criminal law and procedure, and the ability to work

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited law school and admitted to practice in good standing.
• Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Understanding of criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence.

Responsibilities

• Represent indigent clients in federal court.
• Prepare pleadings, briefs, and motions.
• Appear at hearings and other proceedings on behalf of clients.
• Develop litigation strategies and case management plans.
• Meet with clients, experts, witnesses, and team members; travel as required.

Skills

Legal research

Word processing

Team collaboration

Oral advocacy

Spanish (preferred)

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Court Name/Organization Connecticut Federal Public Defender

Overview of the Position We seek an Assistant Federal Defender who is available to begin employment no later than Sept. 15, 2026.The position primarily involves legal representation of indigent persons accused of federal crimes in the United States District Court. Responsibilities include managing a caseload with cases at varying stages of litigation; preparing pleadings, briefs, and motions; appearing on behalf of the client in court hearings and at other related proceedings; developing litigation strategies; meeting with clients, team members, experts, witnesses, and family members; and other duties as assigned. A large part of the caseload involves drug offenses, fraud, robbery, firearms offenses, and internet-related crimes.The applicant should be prepared to immediately undertake the representation of clients in serious criminal cases and be able to manage a heavy caseload. Travel and working outside regular business hours are essential for the position, as are effective organizational skills and the ability to work in a team environment. Federal Public Defender attorneys may not engage in the private practice of law.

To qualify, the applicant should have the following:

• A desire and capacity to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong legal research and word processing skills
• The ability to analyze legal issues from complex records and write clearly and concisely
• Understanding of criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence
• Knowledge of sentencing guidelines and evidence handling
• Computer fluency in the Microsoft Office suite of programs, including Excel and Adobe Acrobat
• The ability to exercise good judgment in a mature and diplomatic manner
• A reputation for personal and professional integrity
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• The ability to keep confidences and protect legal privileges
• The ability to recognize and analyze problems and recommend practical solutions
• The desire to work with and on behalf of people from diverse backgrounds
• A strong commitment to providing holistic representational support to indigent persons in proceedings under federal criminal law
• Proficiency in Spanish (preferred)

The position requires that the applicant possess a valid driver’s license, insurance, and own/operate a personal vehicle for business purposes (mileage is reimbursable).

Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation including, but not limited to an FBI fingerprint and name check.

General Experience

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school and admitted to practice, in good standing, before the highest court of a state. Courtroom experience, as well as excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, are required, as is a demonstrated commitment to indigent defense.

Employee Benefits

The 2026 salary plan for this position has a starting salary range of $86,596 to $197,100. The starting salary will be based on the candidate’s professional attorney experience. The position offers federal employment benefits, including paid vacation, paid sick time, paid holidays, health insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (401k). Teleworking is available, consistent with office policy, court obligations, and position duties.

The Federal Public Defender for the District of Connecticut is a law office that provides legal representation to persons charged with committing federal crimes who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. We represent the accused from arrest through trial and appeal, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

We are attorneys, paralegals, investigators, mitigation specialists, office administrators, and information technology specialists. Our team fosters interdisciplinary skill sets that ensure compassionate and comprehensive representation. We work together to uphold every person's right to be presumed innocent, to have a fair trial, to mitigation, and to have a fair sentence, if convicted. Our defense is vigorous, both at trial and on appeal. We advocate for humane sentences through client-centered representation, which honors an individual's lived experience.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: We are committed to cultivating a culture of acceptance and connectedness that honors the diverse backgrounds of the people we represent. Our commitment to inclusion is integral to our commitment to a fair justice system. In recruiting members of our team, we welcome the full spectrum of humanity. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to our office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences. We know that the best legal representation occurs through a diverse, collaborative, and inclusive workforce.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.