The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit is accepting applications for the position of Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The term of appointment is four years. The current annual salary is $183,500.

The Federal Public Defender provides federal criminal defense to individuals unable to afford counsel. The defender supervises a staff of more than 50 people, including trial lawyers, an appellate unit, investigators, and support personnel. The defender is also responsible for providing training to the panel of lawyers who take indigent federal appointments. The office is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with branch offices in Concord, New Hampshire; Providence, Rhode Island; and Easthampton, Massachusetts.

To be qualified for appointment, an applicant must:
(1) be a member in good standing in the bar of the state in which the applicant is admitted to practice; (2) have a minimum of five years of criminal practice experience, preferably with significant federal trial experience, which demonstrates an ability to provide zealous representation of consistently high quality to criminal defendants, or other comparable experience; (3) have the ability to effectively administer the office; (4) have a reputation for integrity; and (5) have a commitment to the representation of those unable to afford counsel.

For full details and application, visit https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/employment