Assistant Federal Defender, Capital Habeas Unit

Position Description

The Job

We are hiring two full-time assistant federal defenders in our Knoxville office, Capital Habeas Unit (CHU). The CHU represents clients in federal courts in Tennessee and clients in six states who have been sentenced to death by state or federal courts.

Duties

Assistant federal defenders work collaboratively with co-counsel, paralegals, and investigators under the supervision of the CHU supervisor. Assistant federal defenders manage a caseload that involves leading and working as a member of case teams; directing and conducting case-related investigations; writing briefs, motions, and other pleadings; reviewing voluminous trial and appellate records; developing claims and litigation strategy; advocating at evidentiary hearings and oral arguments; and meeting with clients, experts, witnesses, and client family members. CHU attorneys represent clients in federal district courts and circuit courts, the U.S. Supreme Court, clemency hearings, and in other types of proceedings as required by our office’s appointment, including extensive execution-related end-stage litigation.