RESEARCH & WRITING ATTORNEY 2026-05

About the role

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Connecticut provides legal representation to individuals charged with federal crimes who cannot afford private counsel. Our team includes attorneys, paralegals, investigators, mitigation specialists, office administrators, and IT specialists. We aim to provide compassionate and comprehensive representation, ensuring that every individual's rights are upheld.

Responsibilities

• Draft motions, memoranda, petitions, and briefs for filing in the U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court.
• Consult with assistant defenders on legal issues in motion practice, evidentiary hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Perform general paralegal duties as needed.

Requirements

• A desire and capacity to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong legal research and word processing skills.
• The ability to analyze legal issues from complex records and write clearly and concisely.
• Understanding of criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence.
• Knowledge of sentencing guidelines and evidence handling.
• Computer fluency in Microsoft Office suite, including Excel and Adobe Acrobat.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• The ability to keep confidences and protect legal privileges.
• The ability to recognize and analyze problems and recommend practical solutions.
• A strong commitment to providing holistic representational support to indigent persons in proceedings under federal criminal law.
• Proficiency in Spanish (preferred).

Qualifications

• A graduate of an accredited law school and admitted to practice in good standing before the highest court of a state.
• Experience in appellate writing or handling federal criminal cases is preferred.

Salary and Benefits

The salary of the successful applicant will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The starting salary for this position falls within a range under the Judicial Salary Plan from Grade 9 at $69,642 to Grade 15 at $166,928. The position offers federal employment benefits, including paid vacation, paid sick time, paid holidays, health insurance, life insurance, retirement plan, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (401k). Teleworking is available, consistent with office policy, court obligations, and position duties.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, email a single PDF containing a cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample to CTX_Hiring@fd.org. Please include the job announcement number in the subject line of the email.