D.C. Circuit Court Seeks Applicants for Federal Public Defender, Invites Comment on Current Officer

June 30, 2022

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is accepting applications for the position of federal public defender for the District of Columbia. Serving a four-year term beginning September 22, 2022, the federal public defender provides federal criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel.

An applicant must (1) be a member in good standing of at least one state bar or the District of Columbia bar; (2) have been engaged in active criminal practice for a minimum of five years, preferably with significant federal criminal trial and appellate experience; (3) possess administrative expertise; (4) have a reputation for integrity, commitment to equal justice, and outstanding legal ability; and (5) have a commitment to the vigorous representation of those unable to afford counsel. Federal public defenders may not engage in the private practice of law and are subject to the judiciary financial disclosure requirements.

Current federal public defender A. J. Kramer, who has held the position since 1990, has applied for reappointment and will be considered with the other candidates. The court is evaluating the performance of Kramer, as well as the attorneys and staff in the office, on the quality of representation, the level of commitment and service to clients, and administrative efficiency. Comments on the office’s performance will be considered when selecting the federal public defender.

Submit comments by email to [email protected] and application materials (including a cover letter, résumé, and narrative statement in one PDF) to Elizabeth Paret at [email protected]. The deadline for comments and applications is July 25.