Capital Habeas Unit Law Clerk
About the role
The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California (FPD-CDCA) offers four students an opportunity to work directly on death penalty cases in the Capital Habeas Unit (CHU) each summer.
Responsibilities
- Participate in a two-week “boot camp” where they learn the “nuts and bolts” of capital habeas litigation.
- Investigate the factual bases for our claims.
- Research discrete issues in criminal and constitutional law.
- Draft claims for federal habeas petitions.
- Write sections of appellate briefs.
- Observe case-management meetings and participate in moots for Ninth Circuit arguments.
- Watch trials in district court and oral arguments at the Ninth Circuit.
Requirements
Applicants must be attending accredited law school. They must demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills and show a demonstrated interest in indigent defense.
Qualifications
Applicants must be attending accredited law school. They must demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills and show a demonstrated interest in indigent defense.
Skills
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Benefits
Opportunities to gain a sophisticated understanding of the criminal justice system and what is required to provide meaningful and effective representation to criminal defendants and capital and non-capital habeas petitioners.
Pay
Not specified.
Schedule
40 hours per week for a ten-week period during the summer.
How To Apply
To apply for the CHU’s summer law clerk program, please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample through our Careers Page. Direct applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of the last day in January. We recommend that you submit your materials as early as possible.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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.