The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania is accepting
applications for the position of Assistant Federal Public Defender (AFPD) in its Erie
Office. Preference will be given to candidates residing in or willing to relocate to
the Erie area.
The AFPD will represent clients charged with federal criminal offenses and involved in
other matters covered under the Criminal Justice Act. Regular responsibilities include
working with clients; digesting large case files and investigative materials; developing
litigation strategies, including negotiation and mitigation; researching and drafting
motions and other filings; conducting evidentiary hearings and trials; working with
experts and other witnesses; and leading teams of investigators, mitigation specialists,
paralegals, and legal assistants. Cases are complex and diverse and require
comprehensive legal research, extensive motions practice, and frequent courtroom
litigation, including jury trials and sentencing hearings. Caseloads may involve drug
offenses, fraud, robbery, firearms offenses, immigration offenses, and internet-related
crimes.
Application Process:
Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting a single pdf document that includes a cover letter, resume, and writing sample via email to the attention of: Elisa A. Long, Federal Public Defender, paw_employment@fd.org, Subject: 2026-11
One or more positions may be filled from this posting. Hiring for this position is dependent on the availability of funds. This office is an equal opportunity employer. No phone calls, please.