Trial Attorney

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

FEDERAL DEFENDER

TRIAL UNIT

At Least One Position

Posting Date: September 3, 2026

Closing Date: October 30, 2026

The Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has a vacancy for an Assistant Federal Defender in our Trial Unit. Our office represents indigent persons charged with federal criminal offenses in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia, one of America's most preeminent historical cities, is rich in culture, entertainment, and history. Our office is in Philadelphia's Center City district, in the historic Curtis building, close to the federal courthouse and across from Independence Mall, the Liberty Bell and Washington Square Park.

Our Trial Practice

Our Assistant Federal Defenders represent persons facing prosecution for various federal offenses, and our lawyers maintain wide-ranging caseloads that include offenses involving firearms, controlled substances, immigration, kidnapping, terrorism, complex white-collar fraud, public corruption, child exploitation, human trafficking, robbery, federal capital homicide and other crimes. We represent indigent federal defendants in all phases of a district court prosecution, from pretrial litigation through sentencing. The Trial Unit's Assistant Federal Defenders also represent individuals' pre-indictment who are targets of prosecution. We also participate in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania's re-entry court, which is one of the country's leading federal re-entry programs, as well as its mental health court and relapse prevention (drug) court.

The Eastern District of Pennsylvania is a larger federal district, due to both geographical size as well as the number of cases prosecuted. As a result, our office has a respected and robust litigation practice. While most of our cases are litigated in the Philadelphia courthouse of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, cases are also litigated at the courthouses in Allentown, Easton, and Reading.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess a minimum of three years of criminal defense experience for this position. The experience should include completion of bench and jury trials to verdict, a demonstrated working knowledge of state or federal criminal law, including pre- and post-trial motion practice, and extensive sentencing litigation. Knowledge of the United States Sentencing Guidelines is preferred. Candidates must also have strong research and writing capabilities as well as the ability to work cooperatively with others. Candidates must have a clearly demonstrated commitment to excellence, and a commitment to the representation of the indigent, and a reputation for personal and professional integrity. Candidates must also possess the ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, witnesses, staff, and court and agency personnel. Candidates must have or be willing to learn, employ and maintain skills in courtroom technology, electronic discovery, and electronic case management. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Travel throughout the Eastern District of Pennsylvania's nine county area is required. Occasional out-of-district travel may be required as well.

Applicants must be members in good standing of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and eligible to become a member of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Furthermore, applicants must be in good standing of every state bar of which they are admitted. Candidates must state all bar admissions and status in their application.

Applying for the Position, Salary, and Benefits

Interested applicants should apply at Federal Community Defender Careers. Candidates' application must include a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references. Candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications received by Friday, September 18, 2026, will be given priority consideration. Salary will be based on years of experience consistent with federal guidelines and regulations. The selected candidate will also receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous insurance coverage, dependent and long-term insurance programs, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits program, earned paid time off, and a generous retirement contribution plan. Kindly note that the filling of this position will be subject to the funding restrictions and approval of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

The Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to promoting a professional work environment that supports and respects all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, gender identity, national origin, religion, or disability. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.