FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

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 Northern District of

New York. 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 Northern District of New York, provides criminal

defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel. The Office of the Federal Public

Defender for the Northern District of New York has offices in Albany and Syracuse. The

Federal Public Defender supervises a staff of assistant federal defenders, federal capital

appellate resource counsel, investigators, paralegals, a mitigation specialist, and support

personnel.

The website for the office is: Office of the Public Defender Northern District of New York.

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:

 Budget, procurement, and travel

 Human resources

 Space, facilities, and property;

(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 May 16, 2025.