Description
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit invites applications from
qualified candidates for the position of Federal Public Defender for the District of
Connecticut. The term of office is four years, with potential for appointment to successive
terms. The current authorized annual salary is $195,200.
The Federal Public Defender, functioning under the authority of 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(g)(2)(A)
and the Criminal Justice Act Plan for the District of Connecticut, provides criminal defense
services to individuals unable to afford counsel. The Office of the Federal Public Defender
for the District of Connecticut has offices in Hartford and New Haven. The Federal Public
Defender supervises a staff of assistant federal defenders, research and writing attorneys,
investigators, paralegals, mitigation specialists, and support personnel.
The website for the office is: Office of the Public Defender District of Connecticut.
Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
(1) be a member in good standing in the bar of the state in which the candidate is admitted
to practice;
(2) 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;
(3) possess the ability to effectively administer the office, including the following
management areas:
- Budget, procurement, and travel
- Human resources
- Space, facilities, and property;
(4) have a reputation for integrity; and
(5) demonstrate a commitment to the representation of those unable to afford counsel.
As the chief executive of the Office of the Federal Public Defender, the Federal Public
Defender holds ultimate responsibility for the administration of the Office. The Office
serves as a resource center for all practicing federal defense attorneys in the District,
providing regularly scheduled training programs as well as advice and counsel when needed.
The Federal Public Defender works nationally with other federal defenders on evolving
issues in federal criminal law and other areas of shared concern.
The Second Circuit uses an open and competitive selection process. A Merit Selection
Committee will review all applications and interview the most qualified candidates. With
consideration of the District Court’s recommendation, the Committee will refer the best
qualified candidate to the Court of Appeals for selection and appointment. Applicants will
be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual
orientation, or disability. The selected nominee will be required to complete a background
investigation prior to appointment. The Federal Public Defender may not engage in the
private practice of law.
Application forms are posted on the Court’s website at http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov.
Completed application packages must be in the format required by the Second Circuit and
received no later than December 1, 2025.
