The Federal Public Defender represents defendants in trial and appellate level criminal cases before the United States Magistrate Court, the United States District Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Our clients are charged with crimes which fall under federal jurisdiction -- cases from armed bank robbery to tax fraud, from immigration violations to petty offenses on federal land (such as national parks and military bases).
The FPD seeks applications from a diverse group of qualified individuals in terms of race, ethnicity, nation of origin, culture, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual identity, education, opinions, age, languages spoken, veteran status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance. We especially encourage applications from members of the BIPOC community, people who have been affected by the criminal legal system, and people from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
Open Positions
Currently, we have the following open position(s):
Trial Attorney. The Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California (“FPD”) is accepting applications for an Assistant Federal Public Defender for San Jose. To apply, click here.
Legal Internships and Externships. See information about the position below. To apply, click here.
Paralegal/Investigator Internship and Externships. See information about the position below. To apply, click here.
Federal Public Defenders across the nation are currently hiring for multiple positions. Listings can be found here.
You may also follow our FPD Northern California LinkedIn page to stay up to date on our career opportunities.
Full Time Employment
The Federal Public Defender advertises for full-time employment in the Northern California legal media and on the Office of Defender Services' website. The Defender's Office usually does not hire attorneys directly out of law school.
The Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Legal Internships and Externships
We offer a diverse and rewarding experience to law students who wish to work in our office. Law students assist our trial and appellate attorneys in all aspects of our work, including performing legal research, drafting pleadings, analyzing discovery, assisting with trial preparation, and helping to develop sentencing mitigation. Please note, however, that students may not appear in court. Thus, our office does not require California Bar certification.
Our office is committed to fostering a diverse and multicultural environment where differences are valued and respected. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and intersectional individuals are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must possess strong legal research and analytical skills and effective written and oral communication abilities. They must be highly motivated, detail oriented, and well organized, and able to collaborate effectively. Applicants must also have a demonstrated interest in indigent defense and/or public interest work. Applications are reviewed and offers are made on a rolling basis, subject to the deadlines listed below.
All applications must include a cover letter, resume, brief writing sample, unofficial transcript, and a list of two or three references. Please submit these materials using this link.
Our office also recruits at various job fairs, such as the Northern California PIPS Day.
Summer Program: We generally accept 2L students for our summer internships. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete courses in Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and Constitutional Law by the position’s start date.
We strongly recommend that 2L students apply by February 15. Outstanding 1L students may apply according to ABA rules and deadlines. Applications will be reviewed starting October 1.
Students must agree to work a standard work week of 40 hours (eight hours a day) for 10 weeks. Depending on funding, our office pays a competitive rate of $20 per hour, which at a full-time schedule results in approximately $800 per week. We do not offer overtime or benefits with this position. Part-time internships are not available.
VOLUNTEER Fall/Spring Program: Our fall and spring externships are reserved for 2Ls and 3Ls exclusively. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete courses in Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and Constitutional Law by the position’s start date.
Our externships are unpaid. Students must agree to volunteer between 20 hours to 40 hours a week. Placement is primarily in the Oakland and San Francisco locations, with occasional opportunities available in San Jose.
Many law school programs will award academic credit for participation in a school-year externship. The requirements and procedures vary depending on the school. The law student must coordinate between their school and our office to assure that all requirements are met. Students that are approved and fully funded to work with alternate employers under a Federal Work-Study program may apply.
Externship applications are received and offers made on a rolling basis.
Paralegal/Investigator Internship
The Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California offers a voluntary paralegal/internship program to students who are currently enrolled in a college program for or paralegal educational program (or taking equivalent type studies). The paralegal/investigator internship program will be offered year-round. To participate in the paralegal/investigator internship program, the student must be available a minimum of twelve hours per week for the semester enrolled (fall, spring, or summer).
The Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California paralegal/investigator internship program will give students an opportunity to learn about the criminal justice system and obtain the knowledge of how instrumental a paralegal/investigator’s role is in assisting in defense of a case. Paralegal/investigator student interns who qualify for the paralegal/investigator internship program will be assigned to work with experienced paralegals, investigators, and attorneys within the office. Our office encourages collaboration between all employees and each task will be supervised by an attorney, paralegal, or investigator in the office—as appropriate.
Interns will be placed in our offices in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. Some travel between offices and for work is anticipated.
The Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California is committed to ensuring that our office is a diverse and multicultural environment where differences are valued and respected. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and intersectional individuals are encouraged to apply.
Work Hours: The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Specific schedules may be discussed with supervisor."
Paralegal Internship Qualifications If a student is interested in the internship program, the student needs to submit the following documents:
Cover letter stating the student’s reason for applying for a paralegal/investigator internship program and other relevant information regarding their interests, preferred placement location, and term available to work;
Resume;
References;
Documentation to show the student is enrolled in or graduated from a paralegal program and in good standing (copy of transcript or enrollment letter from the registrar is sufficient), OR,
Documentation to show the student is receiving (or going to receive) school credit for the program; OR,
Statement from student about how the internship will assist them in their future education.
The documentation listed above should be submitted via this form.
Applicant materials are processed and reviewed as they are received. Students will be notified of their acceptance on a continual basis. Please allow 1-2 weeks for processing.
Applicants should have:
• A demonstrated interest in representing indigent persons
• Effective writing and communication skills
• Organizational and problem solving skills
• Initiative and accountability skills for work product or service
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive matters
• Knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment that may include personal computers, copiers, and fax machines
• Ability to multitask and self-direct in a fast-paced environment
Paralegal/Investigator Interns Tasks
In addition to other tasks that may arise, our paralegal/investigator interns will be expected to:
Review and index discovery, analyzing it to determine and performing tasks:
Chronologies of facts
Listings of witnesses and participants
Summaries of criminal conviction histories
List of issues for further investigation
Processing Discovery
Using Adobe Acrobat and other programs to clean up, organize, and make discovery available for review
Organize factual information using CaseMap or Excel
Scanning paper document and making electronic copies
Assisting with Preparing Witnesses and Materials for Trial and Filings
Assist with preparing motions and other filings and exhibits
Request Records
Order records as needed for cases
Review records for pertinent information
Summarize records
Assist in Mitigation
Review case file and client history to determine fertile areas for mitigation
Gather paperwork, letters, and supporting documents to support mitigation claims
Identify witnesses and interview (under supervision)
Interview Process
The Paralegal/Investigator Committee will conduct interviews of selected applicants. We will be able to do these interviews over the phone or video conferencing if needed and will contact you about scheduling the interview.
Requests for Quotations
RFQ FY # 2024_05: All Flash 2U Server
Quotes may be emailed to the Contracting Officer, Rachel Schumont, at: Rachel_Schumont@fd.org and a copy emailed to: David_Concepcion@fd.org. Quotations will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Tuesday, April 19, 2024.