Federal Public Defender

				Federal Public Defender Northern District of California Barry J. Portman Federal Defender
				Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Employment at the Federal Public Defender, N.D. Cal. Student Employee/Applications The Federal Public Defender represents indigent defendants in trial and appellate level criminal cases before the United States Magistrate Court, the United States District Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Our clients are charged with crimes which fall under federal jurisdiction -- cases from armed bank robbery to tax fraud, from immigration violations to petty offenses on federal land (such as national parks and military bases). We enjoy working with students throughout the year. All externs and clerks have the opportunity to observe all phases of a criminal case. Although the emphasis is on research and writing, students attend court proceedings and client and witness interviews. Students are often asked to assist in the investigation of cases and help attorneys prepare for trial. Students also provide direct assistance to those who have received tickets for alleged federal and state code violations while on federal property. Summer Paid Postions: Students are required to have successfully completed courses in Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law and Evidence. We accept second year students for these positions. Applications must be received by October 1 of the year preceding the summer of employment. Fall/Spring Volunteer Positions: Applicants for the Fall and Spring semesters should have successfully completed or be currently enrolled in courses in Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Constitutional Law. Second and third year students are encouraged to apply. Applications are taken year round. All applications must include a resume, brief writing sample, transcript, and a list of three references. Please forward these materials to the law clerk supervisor at the appropriate office, below: Office of the Federal Public Defender Attn: Law Clerk Supervisor Box 36106 Room 19-6884 450 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102 Office of the Federal Public Defender Attn: Law Clerk Supervisor 555 12th Street, Suite 650 Oakland, CA 94607 Office of the Federal Public Defender Attn: Law Clerk Supervisor 160 W. Santa Clara St., Suite 575 San Jose, CA 95113 Full Time Employment: The Federal Public Defender advertises for full-time employment in the Northern California legal media. The Defender's Office usually does not hire attorneys directly out of law school, but does hire attorneys who have just finished a federal judicial clerkship. The Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.