Federal Public Defender Vacancy – 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. For announcement, please click here. For application, please click here. 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.
