Assistant Federal Public Defender

Agency Name: Federal Public Defender - District of Oregon

Position / Job Title : Assistant Federal Public Defender

Location: Portland, OR

Category : Attorney 

Job Description: Overview
Assistant Federal Public Defenders fight systemic injustice
by advocating for qualified defendants in federal criminal
cases and other covered matters for individuals who are
financially unable to obtain adequate representation.
Primary Job Duties
 Represent qualifying individuals charged with
violating federal criminal statutes by handling all
stages of federal criminal trial matters in the district
court.
 Frequently appear in court before both magistrate
judges and district court judges. Court appearances
include: initial appearances, pretrial release hearings,
motion hearings, trials, sentencings, appeals, and
probation violation proceedings.
 Advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds,
including those with histories of trauma, mental health,
and substance abuse issues.
 Work in teams with co-counsel, investigators,
paralegals, legal assistants, social workers, and
contracted experts.
 Support clients through holistic problem-solving and
community engagement during pretrial, trial, and
sentencing proceedings, as well as with reentry.
 Write persuasive briefs to achieve client goals and work
for improvement in the law.
 Maintain frequent client contact in person, by phone,
and in writing.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume,
a relevant writing sample, and contact
information for three (3) professional
references as a single PDF
attachment by email to:
oregon_personnel@fd.org subject
line “AFPD” When saving your
documents as one PDF, it is
important to name the file using
only your last name and “_AFPD”.
Only candidates selected for an
interview will be notified.
Application Deadlines:
Open until filled. Applications will be
reviewed as they are received. Priority
will be given to applications received
prior to July 20, 2026. More than one
position may be filled from this
advertisement, including career and
limited duration appointments. All
responses will remain confidential.
Office Overview
The Federal Public Defender for the
District of Oregon consists of a three
office, the main office in Portland and
branch offices in Eugene and
Medford. Our clients come from all
across Oregon. The FPD has a staff of
75, including 25 attorneys, 15
investigators along with paralegals
and other support staff.
Required Qualifications
 Applicants must have the knowledge, skills, and ability
needed to immediately defend indigent individuals in
criminal cases in the U.S. District Court for the District of
Oregon.
 Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited law school
and an active member in good standing of the bar in any
state, territory, or possession.
 Applicants must have at least three (3) years of state or
federal criminal practice; have recent, substantial
criminal felony trial-level experience; strong written and
oral advocacy skills; and a proven commitment to
indigent criminal defense.
 Strong technological, organizational, and interpersonal
skills are required.
 A demonstrated commitment to and comfort working with
diverse communities and with clients from a range of
backgrounds is required.
Preferred Qualifications
 Conversational Spanish-language skills preferred.
 Familiarity and understanding of the culture, slang and
colloquialisms of Mexican, Central American, Caribbean
or non-Southern Cone South American Spanish-speaking
culture is preferred.

Link to Application: http://or.fd.org/employment

Other Relevant Links:

Application Deadline: July 20, 2026