Supervisory Attorney

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of Virginia is accepting applications for a Supervisory Assistant Federal Public Defender (SAFPD) in our Norfolk office. Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, the office provides legal representation to indigent defendants in federal criminal cases and related matters.

The SAFPD will represent clients in federal court at every stage of the federal criminal process, prepare written submissions, work collaboratively with other attorneys and staff, conduct client interviews and direct defense investigation in the representation of indigent federal criminal defendants in the Norfolk and Newport News divisions of the Eastern District of Virginia.

In addition to providing zealous, professional legal representation to clients, the SAFPD supervises the Norfolk location's day-to-day operations. The SAFPD serves under the Federal Public Defender (FPD) and the First Assistant FPD (FAFPD) as the direct supervisor to more than twenty staff members of the Norfolk branch office of the Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of Virginia.

While the SAFPD must be responsible for carrying a caseload commensurate with other attorneys in the office, consistent with the directives of the FPD, the SAFPD must ensure that the Norfolk office complies with all administrative responsibilities required of a branch FPD office, provides high quality representation to all clients of the office, and serves as a resource to attorneys on the Criminal Justice Act panels for Norfolk and Newport News.

Key supervisory and management duties include regular communication with the FPD, FAFPD, and the Administrative Officer (AdO); managing and resolving internal and external issues affecting office operations; participating and initiating requisite personnel and human resource actions, such as participation in hiring interviews, conducting annual performance evaluations, supervising and assisting in implementing adverse employment actions; ensuring that all staff receive adequate training to perform assigned duties; and advising district management on resources necessary to enable the Norfolk location to meet its mission requirements.

Additionally, the Supervisory Attorney will serve as the principal liaison between the Norfolk office and the Court as well as the U.S. Attorney's Office, and as necessary for communications involving court personnel, related agencies, members of the CJA Panel and the private bar, clients and client families. This position may require work on holidays, evenings, and weekends, depending on the needs of the office.

The successful applicant must be a graduate from an accredited law school and licensed by the highest court of any state, the District of Columbia, the Supreme Court of the United States, or any other state bar, with good standing, and have significant experience in representation of federal criminal defendants. Significant consideration will focus on applicants who have a demonstrated passion for and dedication to indigent criminal defendants, client-centered representation, and the ability to manage and work as part of a team, as well as a reputation for hard work and integrity.

As such, successful applicants should have extensive trial experience, strong legal research skills, the ability to analyze complex legal issues, and the ability to communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, and court and agency personnel. Finally, applicants should possess strong oral and interpersonal and managerial skills.

Applicants also must be authorized to work in the United States. Supervisory Expectations: the SAFPD is expected to ensure that all clients represented by the office receive high quality legal representation, that the office runs effectively and in accordance with all applicable regulations, and that the office provides a supportive and collaborative environment for all employees.

The SAFPD should also support professional development for employees, provide guidance and mentor attorneys and staff members as necessary, and model the professionalism and ethical integrity expected from the entire organization.

Graduate from an accredited law school and licensed by the highest court of any state, the District of Columbia, the Supreme Court of the United States, or any other state bar, with good standing.