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Jobs at Federal Public Defender, Central District of California (Now Hiring) — 3 open

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California logoFederal Public Defender, Central District of California

Capital Habeas Legal Assistant

Los Angeles, California, United States · On-site

Entry level

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time legal assistant position in its Capital Habeas Unit (CHU) stationed in Los Angeles, California. The CH…

Skills: Legal Secretarial Principles, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Blue Book Citation, Court Filing

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California logoFederal Public Defender, Central District of California

Trial Attorney - Santa Ana

Santa Ana, California, United States · Hybrid

Mid level

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time attorney position in its trial unit in Santa Ana, California. The Santa Ana Office represents individu…

Skills: Criminal Litigation, Legal Research, Legal Drafting, Oral Advocacy, Case Preparation

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California logoFederal Public Defender, Central District of California

Noncapital Habeas Unit Attorney

Los Angeles, California, United States · Hybrid

Mid level

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time attorney position in its noncapital habeas unit (NCHU), stationed in Los Angeles, California. The NCHU…

Skills: Legal Research, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Complex Fact Analysis, Legal Analysis

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California logo

Capital Habeas Legal Assistant

Federal Public Defender, Central District of California

Los Angeles, California, United States • On-site

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Entry level

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  • Full-time
  • bachelor degree
  • Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement, Thrift Savings Plan
  • Posted 13d ago
  • Apply by Oct 13
  • ~40 hrs/week

Responsibilities

Provide executive-level secretarial and clerical support to attorneys on trial, appellate, and habeas cases. Responsibilities include filing court documents, preparing pleadings, maintaining calendars, and managing case files.

Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or at least one year of specialized legal assistant experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat is required, with a preference for Spanish language skills.

Full job description

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for a full-time legal assistant position 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.

Job Duties:  Legal assistants provide a full range of executive-level secretarial and clerical support services to attorneys on trial, appellate, and habeas cases. General areas of responsibility include filing of court documents electronically and manually; preparing and editing draft pleadings, reports, and correspondence; maintaining attorneys’ calendars; accurately maintaining up-to-date case files and facility clearances; composing correspondence; screening public and client telephone calls; and processing mail, as needed.  The legal assistant will be assigned to three or four attorneys and will be required to assist with overflow coverage when needed.

Requirements: All applicants must have graduated from an accredited school with a bachelor’s degree or at least one-year specialized experience performing progressively responsible duties as a legal assistant.  Extensive relevant experience may substitute a bachelor’s degree. Candidates must demonstrate a high level of computer literacy, including expertise with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat programs. Experience with legal practice-related programs such as evidence review platforms, document management systems, and document indexing tools is also highly preferred. The ideal candidate will also have comprehensive knowledge of legal secretarial principles, practices, methods, and techniques; an understanding of state, district and circuit court rules, protocols, policies, and precedents; and knowledge of legal terminology and Blue Book citation format.  The ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish is preferred, but not required.  Legal assistants must be available to work during regular business hours, and when necessary, during evenings, weekends, and holidays. This is an in-office position. Telework is not available.

A background investigation is required as a condition of employment. In line with current appropriations law, applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents seeking citizenship as described here: https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/search-judiciary-jobs/citizenship-requirements-employment-judiciary.

Selection Criteria: Successful applicants demonstrate an interest in social justice, civil rights, or indigent defense; must have excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills; have strong organizational, analytical, and technical skills; an ability to organize work and set priorities to meet critical deadlines; capable of learning new technological tools, when needed; be able to work independently and take initiative; and work well in teams.

Salary/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.  For more information on benefits, see http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.

How to Apply: Apply by submitting a letter of interest, résumé, and three references. We will accept applications until August 15, 2026, or until filled. Interviews will occur on a rolling basis and the open position may be filled before that date.  Priority will be given to early applicants.  The Federal Public Defender’s Office may fill current and future positions from this vacancy announcement.  Please, no phone calls.

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California 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.

Related keywords

Capital HabeasLegal AssistantPost-Conviction ProceedingsFederal Public DefenderCourt RulesEvidence Review PlatformsDocument Management SystemsSocial JusticeIndigent DefenseCivil RightsLegal PleadingsBlue Book

About Federal Public Defender, Central District of California

LinkedInVisit site

We have been representing indigent clients charged with federal crimes since 1971.

Industry
Law Practice
Company size
201-500 employees
Founded
1971
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
LinkedIn followers
1,438

Our office has been representing indigent clients charged with federal crimes since 1971. We represent the vast majority of people charged with federal crimes in the Central District. Our representation starts from the day of arrest through the resolution of the case by trial or plea and in the event of sentencing.

Offices: 321 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, California 90012, US · 3801 University Ave, Suite 700, Riverside, California 92501, US · 411 W 4th St, 7th Floor, Santa Ana, California 92701, US

Criminal DefenseImmigrationCapital HabeasDeath Penaltyand Appeals & Writs
View all jobs at Federal Public Defender, Central District of California

About Federal Public Defender, Central District of California

LinkedInVisit site

We have been representing indigent clients charged with federal crimes since 1971.

Industry
Law Practice
Company size
201-500 employees
Founded
1971
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
LinkedIn followers
1,438

Our office has been representing indigent clients charged with federal crimes since 1971. We represent the vast majority of people charged with federal crimes in the Central District. Our representation starts from the day of arrest through the resolution of the case by trial or plea and in the event of sentencing.

Offices: 321 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, California 90012, US · 3801 University Ave, Suite 700, Riverside, California 92501, US · 411 W 4th St, 7th Floor, Santa Ana, California 92701, US

Criminal DefenseImmigrationCapital HabeasDeath Penaltyand Appeals & Writs
View all jobs at Federal Public Defender, Central District of California

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