Supervisory Attorney

Summary

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.

Duties

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.

Requirements

The physical demands of the position are those required to successfully perform the duties described above. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. The Supervisory Attorney will spend most of their time in an office environment and in court. The individual must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Travel within the state will be necessary and a valid driver's license is required. The final candidates will undergo an FBI background check and employment is conditional upon that check's completion.

Qualifications

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.

Education

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.

How you will be evaluated

Please read the "Next steps" section for more information.

Benefits

A generous benefits package is available to full-time permanent court employees including: Paid vacation and sick leave, paid parental leave, and 12 paid federal holidays per year. Optional participation in Federal Employees Health Benefits plans (health, dental and vision); Federal Employees Group Life Insurance; Flexible Benefits Program; Long-Term Care Insurance; Health Care Reimbursement (HCRA) and Dependent Care Reimbursement (HCRA). Public transportation subsidy, Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Optional participation in Thrift Savings Plan (up to 5% employer matched contributions). Public Service Loan Forgiveness program pursuant to the term of the (PSLF)

Required documents

Cover letter Resume AO78 Judicial Branch Application A writing sample that is approximately 10 pages or less and contains legal analysis. For required documents or additional information, visit the Employment section of https://vae.fd.org.

How to apply

To be considered for this position, email a single PDF containing a completed AO78 Judicial Branch Application, cover letter, resume, and a writing sample that is approximately 10 pages or less and contains legal analysis to [email protected]. This position will remain open until filled with preference given to those who apply by November 22, 2026. Your email must indicate what position you wish to be considered for (Supervisory Attorney, AFPD, or both) and the job announcement number must be in the subject line. For required documents or additional information, visit the Employment section of https://vae.fd.org. Incomplete applications, or those not adhering to the instructions will not be reviewed or considered.

Other information

This ad may be used to fill more than one position. Positions are considered "at-will" employment in the excepted service and do not carry the tenure rights of the competitive civil service. All positions are subject to the availability of funds. All responses will remain confidential.

What to expect next

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted; please do not contact the office. Those contacted will be invited to participate panel interviews.