Federal Public Defender

Qualification

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 U.S. citizens or be eligible to work in the United States and receive compensation. The selected nominee will be required to undergo FBI and IRS background investigations prior to appointment, including fingerprinting and compliance with financial disclosure regulations.