The Texas Habeas Assistance and Training Counsel Project (“Texas HAT”) seeks a lawyer to contract with the Federal Defender system to direct the Project as well as provide case consultation, training, and support to attorneys appointed to represent Texas death-sentenced prisoners. The director is responsible for oversight and support of the contractors working with Texas HAT as well as reporting to the Federal Defender contracting authority and the Defender Services Office. The consultation, training, and support will be limited to cases involving Texas death-sentenced prisoners who are undergoing federal habeas review. The cases involve habeas
and related litigation in the United States District Courts of Texas; the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; the United States Supreme Court; and other related actions, including clemency.
In addition to performing the duties of a Resource Counsel, the Project Director:
• submits an annual plan for allocating project resources, delineating project priorities, and providing services for the following year, including hiring plans where applicable;
• monitors the performance of Texas HAT contractors;
• ensures the substantive content and quality of work product generated by Texas HAT contractors;
• reviews invoices of Texas HAT contractors;
• assists with planning and implementing substantive capital habeas representation training for CJA panel attorneys, FDO staff, and pro bono counsel in Texas;
• distributes substantive training materials to CJA panel attorneys and FDO staff in Texas; and
• drafts Texas HAT biannual reports.
