Assistant Federal Public Defender

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Federal Public Defender (AFPD). This role may be based in Pittsburgh or in branch offices in Erie or Johnstown.

The AFPD will represent clients charged with federal offenses under the Criminal Justice Act, handling complex research, motions, and litigation across diverse caseloads, including drug, fraud, immigration, firearms, and internet-related offenses.

Responsibilities

• Working with clients in federal criminal cases and related matters.
• Digesting large case files and investigative materials.
• Developing litigation strategies, including negotiation and mitigation.
• Researching and drafting motions and other filings.
• Conducting evidentiary hearings and trials, including jury trials and sentencing hearings.
• Leading teams of investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and legal assistants.

Job description

Position Description

The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Federal Public Defender (AFPD). This position is open to candidates interested in working out of our Pittsburgh office or one of our branch offices in Erie or Johnstown.

The AFPD will represent clients charged with federal criminal offenses and involved in other matters covered under the Criminal Justice Act. Regular responsibilities include working with clients; digesting large case files and investigative materials; developing litigation strategies, including negotiation and mitigation; researching and drafting motions and other filings; conducting evidentiary hearings and trials; working with experts and other witnesses; and leading teams of investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and legal assistants. Cases are complex and diverse and require comprehensive legal research, extensive motions practice, and frequent courtroom litigation, including jury trials and sentencing hearings. Caseloads may involve drug offenses, fraud, robbery, firearms offenses, immigration offenses, and internet-related crimes.

Experience, knowledge, or interest in working on immigration-related work, including 28 U.S.C. 2241 petitions, is preferred but not required. Case assignments may require the AFPD to handle cases in any of our three offices (Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown).