Hiring Organization Information
Position Information
The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Washington is hiring a Criminal Justice Act Resource Counsel (CJA-RC) for the Western District of Washington Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel. This is a 40-hour per week position (with some schedule flexibility depending on salary and division of responsibilities), with up to four days per week of telework. The position is based either in Seattle (where our main office is located) or in our Tacoma branch office.
Office Information: The Western Washington Federal Public Defender office was established in 1975. We provide legal counsel for low-income individuals who face federal criminal prosecutions in our district, which covers the area west of the Cascade Mountains from Oregon to the Canadian border. Our attorneys represent clients at all stages of proceedings including pre-charge, at trial, on appeal, and post-conviction. Our staff of 54 employees includes administrators, attorneys, case managers, investigators, paralegals, and social workers. Our CJA program is nationally recognized as a leader in CJA panel administration and client service, providing critical support and training to private attorneys appointed to represent low-income clients.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Our office values diversity, is committed to equity and inclusion, and aspires to create a culture of mutual respect, collaboration, openness, and humility that honors the people we represent. We believe representation is better when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. We seek a candidate who shares this belief and commitment. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to the office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences.
Responsibilities: The CJA-RC is responsible, in collaboration with the CJA Panel Administrator and CJA Unit staff, for managing the panel of private attorneys appointed to represent indigent clients when the Federal Defender’s Office has a conflict. The local panel presently consists of 54 trial attorneys, 22 appellate attorneys, and 18 attorneys in its mentorship and training program.
The CJA-RC’s responsibilities include:
- Recruiting qualified attorneys for the Panel, including diverse members of the private bar with an interest in serving clients in need.
- Annual performance evaluations of one-third of the Panel, based on a review of pleadings, courtroom observations, and feedback from stakeholders.
- Managing the Panel Mentorship Program by reviewing applications for the program, matching new attorneys with experienced panel members to collaborate on federal cases, organizing monthly training sessions, and evaluating mentee progress and performance. The goal of the mentorship program is to prepare mentees for independent federal criminal practice and full membership on the CJA Panel.
- Organizing CLE programs for panel members, the Federal Defender’s Office, and the local criminal defense bar. We typically host 10-12 CLEs per year. Recent sessions include “Litigating Electronic Surveillance Issues,” “Effective Habeas Issue Presentation,” and “Representing Clients with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities.”
- Supervising the CJA Unit, which also consists of a CJA Administrator, a paralegal and an assistant paralegal. The unit’s responsibilities include coordinating the appointment of panel attorneys, processing payment of fees and case-related services, and maintaining financial records.
- Reviewing and approving attorney fees and other case billings in collaboration with the CJA Administrator.[1]
- Case budget planning, in conjunction with the Ninth Circuit’s Case Budgeting Attorney, for complex cases that will require exceptional resources and expenses.
- Investigating complaints against panel members and recommending to the CJA Standing Committee (made up of the Federal Defender and four panel attorneys who serve on a rotating basis) remedial or disciplinary measures, if needed.
- Non-voting membership on the CJA Standing Committee, which has overall responsibility for organizing and maintaining the CJA Panel under the district CJA Plan.[2] In this capacity, the CJA-RC acts as legal counsel to the Committee, helps prepare the Committee’s annual report to the Court, and makes recommendations for changes and updates to the CJA Plan.
- Serving as a liaison between the Court, the CJA Standing Committee and panel attorneys to meet the goals of the CJA Plan and facilitate communication and meetings between stakeholders.
[1] See local General Order 07-24, available at: https://www.wawd.uscourts.gov/sites/wawd/files/General%20Order%2007-24%20Delegating%20Review%20and%20Approval%20for%20Certain%20CJA%20Claims.pdf
[2] The District’s CJA Act Plan can be found at: https://www.wawd.uscourts.gov/sites/wawd/files/General%20Order%2010-23%20Adopting%20Amended%20CJA%20Plan.pdf
Requirements: All applicants must be members in good standing of a state bar. Applicants must have (1) at least five years’ of criminal defense experience, which can include judicial clerkships and experience in legal education or training, (2) have proficient data management and administrative skills, and (3) be a self-starter with a reputation for a collaborative work ethic, personal and professional integrity, and an ability to work well with the Court, the Defender Services Office, members of the CJA panel, and other stakeholders.
Qualifications: To qualify, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or meet the requirements of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. As a condition of employment, candidates must be fingerprinted and complete a background check. A prior criminal conviction is not necessarily disqualifying. See http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/search-judiciary-jobs/citizenship-requirements-employment-judiciary.