Job Description

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is soliciting applications from persons interested in appointment as Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Tennessee at Memphis. Federal Public Defenders are appointed by the United States Courts of Appeals pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(g)(2)(A) and regulations of the Judicial Conference of the United States. 

In accordance with the Criminal Justice Act Plan for the Western District of Tennessee, the FPD will provide federal criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel. The FPD provides executive leadership, management, and supervision for a staff of approximately 27, including trial lawyers, investigators, paralegals, information technology specialists, and administrative support staff. 

The Court of Appeals will make the appointment in accordance with the Procedures for the Selection of Federal Public Defender Nominees ( adopted by the Court on November 1, 1993. The term of appointment is four years with possible renewal appointments in accordance with judiciary regulations and the Court's Procedures for the Selection of Federal Public Defenders Nominees. While serving in the position, the FPD may not engage in the private practice of law.

Qualifications . To be qualified for appointment as Federal Public Defender, an applicant must possess the following minimum qualifications:

(a) The applicant must be a member in good standing of the highest court of at least one state or the District of Columbia, and a member in good standing of every other bar of which the applicant is a member.

(b) The applicant must have a minimum of five years criminal practice experience, preferably with significant federal criminal trial experience, which demonstrates an ability to provide zealous representation of consistently high quality to criminal defendants.

(c) An applicant must possess the ability to effectively administer the office, demonstrated through past management experience.

(d) An applicant must possess a reputation for integrity.

(e) An applicant must have a commitment to the representation of those unable to afford counsel; and

(f) An applicant may not be related to a judge of the Court of Appeals, or to a judge of the district court in the district in which the vacancy exists by blood or marriage within the degree of first cousin.

Applicants must be a U. S. citizen or be eligible to work in the United States and receive compensation. The selected nominee will be required to satisfy FBI and IRS background investigations prior to appointment, including fingerprinting and appropriate financial disclosure regulations.

Selection Process
The selection process is confidential and may take one year or longer to complete. Persons shall be considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age (40 years and over), or disability. The Federal Judiciary is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Application forms and further information may be obtained from the Office of the Circuit Executive or by accessing the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit website ( Persons interested in applying for this position should send their application to: Office of the Circuit Executive, 503 Potter Stewart United States Courthouse, 100 East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Applications must be received by   August 22 , 2024 . Candidates whose applications are not received by the closing date will not be considered .

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