The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania is accepting
applications for the position of Assistant Federal Public Defender (AFPD) in its
Pittsburgh Office.
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.
This position is in the Pittsburgh office and the AFPD will be assigned to primarily
Pittsburgh cases. In addition, some assignments may require the AFPD to handle cases
in our branch offices in Erie and Johnstown.
Assistant Federal Public Defender
Qualifications:
The successful applicant must be a graduate from an accredited law school. Courtroom experience is preferred, and excellent research, writing and oral advocacy skills are required, as is a demonstrated commitment to indigent defense. The applicant should be prepared to undertake the representation of clients in serious criminal cases and be able to manage a heavy caseload. Travel and working outside regular business hours are essential for the position, as are effective organizational skills and the ability to work in a team environment. Federal Public Defender attorneys may not engage in the private practice of law. The successful candidate will be subject to a general background check and IRS tax check procedure as a condition of employment.
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: 2026-07
Please visit https://paw.fd.org/employment for complete information on this and other opportunities.