UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit invites applications from qualified

candidates for the position of Federal Public Defender for the District of Connecticut. The term of

office is four years, with potential for appointment to successive terms. The current authorized

annual salary is $195,200.

The Federal Public Defender, functioning under the authority of 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(g)(2)(A) and the

Criminal Justice Act Plan for the District of Connecticut, provides criminal defense services to

individuals unable to afford counsel. The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of

Connecticut has offices in Hartford and New Haven. The Federal Public Defender supervises a staff

of assistant federal defenders, research and writing attorneys, investigators, paralegals,

mitigation specialists, and support personnel.

The website for the office is: Office of the Public Defender District of Connecticut.

Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

(1) be a member in good standing in the bar of the state in which the candidate is admitted to

practice;

(2) have a minimum of five years criminal practice experience, preferably with significant federal

criminal trial experience, which demonstrates an ability to provide zealous representation of

consistently high quality to criminal defendants;

(3) possess the ability to effectively administer the office, including the following management

areas:

(4) have a reputation for integrity; and

(5) demonstrate a commitment to the representation of those unable to afford counsel.

As the chief executive of the Office of the Federal Public Defender, the Federal Public Defender

holds ultimate responsibility for the administration of the Office. The Office serves as a resource

center for all practicing federal defense attorneys in the District, providing regularly scheduled

training programs as well as advice and counsel when needed. The Federal Public Defender works

nationally with other federal defenders on evolving

issues in federal criminal law and other areas of shared concern.

The Second Circuit uses an open and competitive selection process. A Merit Selection Committee will

review all applications and interview the most qualified candidates. With consideration of the

District Court’s recommendation, the Committee will refer the best qualified candidate to the Court

of Appeals for selection and appointment. Applicants will be considered without regard to race,

color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability. The selected nominee

will be required to complete a background investigation prior to appointment. The Federal Public

Defender may not engage in the private practice of law.

Application forms are posted on the Court’s website at http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov. Completed

application packages must be in the format required by the Second Circuit and

received no later than December 1, 2025.

Federal Public Defender for the District of Connecticut

Job Description