A career with the Federal Public Defender is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have in your legal career. Learn more about the benefits of working at our office.
The Federal Public Defender Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age, are encouraged to apply.
The Position
The Federal Public Defender Office for the Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island is hiring a program-wide Administrative Officer to be based in its Boston, Massachusetts office. The Administrative Officer is a high-level manager who reports to, and collaborates with, the Federal Defender and other members of management to oversee the operations of the Federal Defender Office, which is a federal agency within the U.S. Court system, with approximately 50 employees in three states. Starting salary varies based on experience, with a range under the Judicial Salary Plan from Grade 11, $74,129 – Grade 15, $176,300 to commensurate with experience. The position includes a generous federal benefits package.
What We Do
The Federal Public Defender Office is a law office that provides legal representation to persons charged with committing federal crimes who cannot afford to hire an attorney. We represent the accused from arrest through trial and appeal, including the U.S. Supreme Court and federal habeas corpus review. We are attorneys, paralegals, investigators, office administrators, information technology specialists, and legal assistants. We work together to uphold every person’s right to be presumed innocent and to a fair sentence if convicted. Our defense is vigorous, both at trial and on appeal. We advocate for humane sentences by showing judges and prosecutors that we represent people, not criminals.
Who We Are
We are committed to cultivating a culture of acceptance and connectedness that honors the diverse backgrounds of the people we represent. We value diversity and a commitment to equality, and we believe better legal representation occurs when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In recruiting members of our team, we welcome the full spectrum of humanity. We embrace the unique contributions that you can bring, including your culture, ethnicity, education, opinions, race, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, religion, disability, and economic status.
Who You Are
You are a trusted and reliable manager who values professionalism and who consistently uses sound judgment to carry out responsibilities. You partner with other members of management, keep confidences, and are comfortable acting both independently and as a member of our team so the office can give exceptional legal services to the people we represent. You not only see the problems, but also the solutions, and you harness creativity, dedication, and persistence to overcome the challenges. You interact with and supervise others with empathy and understanding while maintaining high standards.
Experience Required
Experience We Hope For
What the Administrative Officer Does
How to Apply
Applicants must send an e-mail titled “Administrative Officer” with both a resume and a cover letter attached to HRBoston@fd.org. Applicants who apply without submitting both documents will not be considered. Applications will be accepted through May 20, 2022.
Recognizing the critical importance of diversity to a legal services program whose clients are primarily people of color, the Defender Services Program has long sought to increase the participation of attorneys from groups traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession.
Supported by the federal judiciary’s emphasis on workforce diversity to engender public trust and improve performance, the goal of this Fellowship Program is to enhance the quality of representation provided for persons unable to afford counsel in federal criminal proceedings by increasing the number of diverse attorneys capable of providing such representation. Diversity includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, and socioeconomic status. Diversity among CJA counsel supports the cultural competency necessary to meet the needs of a diverse clientele and can lead to better case outcomes by fostering greater trust on the part of CJA clients.
The Fellowship Program will achieve this goal by creating a pipeline of diverse attorneys qualified to join FDOs and CJA panels.
To learn more and apply, please visit diversityfellowship.fd.org.
Law Student Internship Summer 2023 (Boston, Concord, Providence)
Intern hiring has been completed for summer 2022. This posting is for summer 2023.
The Position
The Federal Public Defender Office for the Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island is proud to sponsor a summer criminal defense internship for rising 2L and 3L law students interested in public service. Our office offers a unique and up-close opportunity to learn about the federal criminal process and public defense in a friendly, inclusive, and collegial environment. One or more internship positions are available in each of our three offices (Boston MA, Concord NH, and Providence RI). Our goal is to provide first-hand experience in federal public defense and guide students who wish to build public interest careers.
What We Do
The Federal Public Defender Office is a publicly-funded law office that provides legal representation to persons charged with committing federal crimes who cannot afford to hire an attorney. We are appointed to represent the accused upon arrest and through the completion of all appeals, including the U.S. Supreme Court and federal habeas corpus review. Charges we defend against include economic crimes, child pornography crimes, drug offenses, weapons offenses, immigration offenses, and violent crimes.
Who We Are
We are committed to cultivating a culture of acceptance and connectedness that honors the diverse backgrounds of the people we represent. We are an equal opportunity employer. We employ attorneys, paralegals, defense investigators, information technology specialists, and legal assistants. We work together to uphold every person’s right to be presumed innocent and to a fair sentence if convicted. We provide a vigorous defense at trial and, if the defendant is convicted, on appeal. We advocate for humane sentences by developing mitigation evidence and presenting judges with fully developed views of our clients as people, not criminals.
Who You Are
We value diversity and a commitment to equality, and we believe better representation occurs when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In recruiting members of our team, we welcome the full spectrum of humanity. We embrace the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your culture, ethnicity, education, opinions, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, religion, disability, economic status, and sexual orientation. We are interested in your talent, intelligence, dedication, persistence, and desire to see all people treated fairly and respectfully, no matter the allegation or circumstance.
The Summer Internship Program
The summer internship program will inform students’ understanding of the federal criminal justice system and build skills to best represent our clients. Interns at the Federal Public Defender Office may engage in a wide range of activities, including:
Each intern will be assigned to a lawyer mentor. Substantive editing feedback will be provided to help each student develop at least one piece of written work into a writing sample. Preferably, students will be able to devote 40 hours per week for at least nine weeks, beginning June 1, 2023. While each student will be based in one of our three offices, opportunities may be available for students to attend hearings and trials in other districts. Students are required to abide by the FPDO’s confidentiality policy, and to act at all times in the best interest of the FPDO’s clients.
This is an unpaid internship; however, we will work with your schools to meet criteria for credit or financial support, if available. Feedback will be provided along with a formal evaluation, if requested.
How to Apply
Interested students should submit the following documents in a single PDF to MA_Internships@fd.org (for internships in Boston), Dorothy_Graham@fd.org (for internships in Concord), and/or Kevin_Fitzgerald@fd.org and Joanne_Daley@fd.org (for internships in Providence):
Please combine all of these materials into a single PDF titled “lastname.firstname.summer2023”. Questions can be directed to MA_Internships@fd.org. The positions will be open until filled. Candidates will be interviewed and hired on a rolling basis.
As we typically hire multiple interns to work in Boston, that office reviews applications in two phases. The first phase of review begins in September. This portion of our hiring is usually done by October. We reserve at least one slot for a second phase of review that begins in December. Our hiring is usually complete by mid-January.
THE POSITION:
The Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire is accepting letters of interest for a full-time First Assistant Federal Public Defender. The successful applicant will be selected through a nation-wide search. All eligible attorneys interested in the position are encouraged to apply.
The First Assistant Federal Public Defender is a high-level manager who reports to, and collaborates with, the Federal Defender. They collaborate with other members of management to carry out the mission of the office. The Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire Federal Defender Offices, are federal agencies within the U.S. Court system, with approximately 50 employees in three states.
The salary of the First Assistant is commensurate with that of a supervisory assistant U.S. Attorney with similar qualifications and experience, and cannot exceed that of the Federal Public Defender. The First Assistant can expect a Salary between $174, 310 to $176, 200 based on experience and demonstrated skills. This position is classified as a highly sensitive position and retention of the position will require the successful completion of a background investigation. The position includes a generous federal benefits package.
The First Assistant position is the principal assistant to the Federal Public Defender, and is a supervisory position. In addition to providing zealous, professional legal representation to people charged with Federal criminal offense, this position also assumes exemplary writing skills and advanced Trial Skills.
Additionally, the First Assistant is responsible for the operations of the defender organization as a whole in the absence of the Federal Public Defender. The First Assistant acts as a liaison between:
This position shares the responsibility for the supervision and management of the daily operations of the organization, supervises attorneys and support staff, and communicates in a supervisory capacity with the court, opposing counsel, clients, and the families of clients concerning case related issues.
As designated by the Defender, this position may initiate personnel actions involving all staff members when required. Actions may include hiring, performance appraisals, mediation and negotiation, disciplinary actions, and employee job termination. The First Assistant may actively participate in financial and procurement management, and may oversee operations of the defender organization to ensure costs are kept within allocated budget levels. The First Assistant may provide training to staff and CJA Panel members for a range of topics to include current case law development, advocacy in the courtroom, and developing advanced skills in written, oral, and interpersonal communications. The First Assistant also analyzes organizational structure and recommends policy implementation to the Defender, as well as serving as a liaison to the Defender for office related issues, including conducting case reviews. This position carries a caseload and performs all other duties as assigned.
The successful applicant will have an established capacity or clearly demonstrated aptitude for law office management including excellence with interpersonal communications, a commitment to the representation of indigent accused persons, and a reputation for integrity. They will be organized, fair, and demonstrate an aptitude in technology. They will promote ongoing development toward the effective and efficient practice of law, management, and operations.
WHO WE ARE:
We are committed to cultivating a culture of acceptance and connectedness that honors the diverse backgrounds of the people we represent. You are expected to be a regular presence in our Offices and you are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This is not a telework position.
We value diversity and a commitment to equality, and we believe better legal representation occurs when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In recruiting members of our team, we welcome the full spectrum of humanity. We embrace the unique contributions that you can bring, including your culture, ethnicity, education, opinions, race, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, religion, disability, and economic status.
WHO YOU ARE:
In addition to exceptional trial and writing skills, you have a minimum of 5 years experience as a lawyer. You are a trusted and reliable manager who values professionalism and who consistently uses sound judgment to carry out responsibilities. You partner with other members of management, keep confidences, and are comfortable acting both independently and as a member of our team so the office can give exceptional legal services to the people we represent. You not only see the problems, but also the solutions, and you harness creativity, dedication, and persistence to overcome challenges. You must demonstrate considerable resourcefulness, efficiency, discretion, initiative, creativity, curiosity, assertiveness and compassion. You interact with and supervise others with empathy and understanding while maintaining high standards.
You value diversity in our workforce and to our mission to give exceptional services to people accused or convicted of federal crimes. You must demonstrate experience with and an ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging through personnel skill development and a willingness to share tools within the office to create a cohesive environment for all.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants must send an e-mail titled “First Assistant” with:
*No Calls Please. Applicants who apply without submitting all three documents will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by June 17, 2022.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
Visit fd.org for employment opportunities in other Federal Defender offices.
51 Sleeper Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 223-8061
Fax: (617)639-9023
116 Pleasant Street, Suite 430
Easthampton, MA 01027
Phone: (857) 331-2118
Fax: (617) 639-9023
22 Bridge Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 226-7360
Fax: (603) 371-9415
10 Weybosset Street, 3rd Floor
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 528-4281
Fax: (401) 867-2814