Capital Habeas Attorney

United States Courts; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan

Telework up to 2 days per week

Job summary

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California, part of United States Courts, seeks full-time attorneys for its Capital Habeas Unit in Los Angeles. CHU lawyers handle federal habeas petitions for death-sentenced petitioners and may work on all stages of capital cases.

Responsibilities include drafting petitions, summarizing transcripts, directing investigations, working with experts, conducting hearings, drafting briefs, arguing in court, and pursuing clemency

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of an accredited law school.
• Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar or willing to sit for the next California Bar exam.

Responsibilities

• Draft habeas petitions and summarize trial transcripts.
• Supervise investigators and paralegals; direct investigation.
• Work with experts; conduct evidentiary hearings; draft briefs.
• Present oral arguments and draft clemency petitions.
• Represent capital and noncapital habeas petitioners and federal defendants.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Teamwork

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Westlaw/Lexis

Job description

Court Name/Organization California Central Federal Public Defender

Overview of the Position The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for full-time attorney positions in its Capital Habeas Unit (CHU), stationed in Los Angeles, California. The CHU advocates for the constitutional rights and inherent dignity of indigent persons sentenced to death. We provide the highest quality representation in post-conviction proceedings through diversity of experience, collaborative and thorough case development, focused litigation strategies, and skilled courtroom advocacy.

CHU attorneys represent death-sentenced petitioners from California and other states in their federal habeas corpus proceedings. Attorneys in the CHU are expected to work on all stages of capital habeas cases, from pre-petition investigation through Supreme Court proceedings and clemency. General areas of responsibility include summarizing trial transcripts, drafting habeas corpus petitions, supervising teams of investigators and paralegals, directing investigation, working with experts, conducting evidentiary hearings, drafting briefs, presenting oral arguments, and drafting clemency petitions. In addition to representing capital petitioners in their habeas proceedings, CHU attorneys represent noncapital habeas petitioners and federal criminal defendants.

Qualifications

All applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and be members in good standing of the California Bar or must be willing to sit for the next California Bar exam, if they are a member in good standing of another Bar. Preference will be given to applicants with at least three years of experience in state and/or federal criminal law, complex civil litigation, death penalty litigation, or habeas corpus litigation, or applicants with state or federal judicial clerkship experience.

Varying hours including nights, weekends, and holidays may be required. A background investigation is required as a condition of employment. In line with current federal appropriations law, applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship as described .

Selection Criteria: Candidates must possess a commitment to the defense of death sentenced individuals; must have superior oral and written communication skills; and work well in teams.

Employee Benefits

This is a full-time, at-will position. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience and is subject to direct deposit. Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement, and a Thrift Savings Plan. After successful completion of a probationary period, eligible employees may elect to telework up to two days per week, subject to certain conditions. For more information on benefits, visit the U.S. Courts website .

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.