The Federal Public Defender for the District of Nevada is accepting applications for a full-time Assistant Federal Public Defender to join the Appellate Unit in our Las Vegas, Nevada office. This position requires travel.
The Appellate Unit litigates direct federal criminal appeals, provides extensive legal support for criminal cases in federal district courts, and pursues habeas relief in appropriate cases. Primary litigation duties occur in the District of Nevada, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court, but can include litigation in courts across the country. Duties of this position may include: (1) researching, briefing, and arguing cases in federal district and appellate courts; (2) assisting the office’s trial attorneys to identify legal issues in complex cases by researching and drafting motions, objections, and memoranda; (3) litigating habeas motions; and (4) monitoring relevant legal developments and training other lawyers on the impact of those developments. The balance of responsibilities among these duties will vary depending on the office’s needs.
All applicants must: (1) be members in good standing of a state bar; (2) have the experience necessary to undertake the defense of serious federal criminal cases before federal district and appellate courts; (3) have solid legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills; (4) possess outstanding strategic judgment and strong interpersonal and communication skills; and (5) be committed to a team-based, client-focused approach to litigation.
Successful applicants should be experienced in litigating direct appeals of federal criminal offenses and constitutional claims and well-versed with the federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Salary is commensurate with experience and education and is equivalent to salaries for Assistant U.S. Attorneys with similar experience. Applicants seeking to work remotely will be considered, but preference will be given to those who live in (or will relocate to) Las Vegas, Nevada.
Qualified individuals should submit a single PDF containing a letter of interest, resume, writing sample and three professional references. This position will remain open until filled, but preference will be given to those who apply by June 30, 2026. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please do not call or email regarding the status of your application.
Jennifer Yim
Human Resources Counsel
Federal Public Defender – Nevada
411 E. Bonneville, Suite 250
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
The Federal Public Defender is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must be a United States citizen, or a person authorized to work in the United States and receive compensation from this agency. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including an FBI name and fingerprint check.
The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Nevada is accepting applications for an Assistant Federal Public Defender in its Federal Death Penalty Unit. This is a full-time position that can be performed fully remotely.
The Federal Death Penalty Unit represents defendants in federal capital (and capital-eligible) trial cases across federal districts throughout the United States and U.S. territories.
Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to indigent criminal defense. Preference will be given to candidates with the experience, skills, temperament, and dedication to serve as learned counsel (or capitally experienced counsel) in federal capital trials. Applicants must have experience leading capital trial or capital habeas teams. A strong understanding of matters related to capital mitigation issues, including but not limited to mental health, trauma, and intellectual disability is required. Applicants must have the willingness to travel frequently.
Selection Criteria: Applicants will have a demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively on large, interdisciplinary teams. Outstanding strategic judgment and litigation skills, as well as strong interpersonal and communication skills is required. Fluency in a second language is preferred.
How to Apply: Qualified individuals should submit a single PDF containing a letter of interest, resume, writing sample and three professional references. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. This position will remain open until filled. Preference will be given to those who apply by March 22, 2026. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please do not call or email regarding the status of your application.
Jennifer Yim
Human Resources Counsel
Office of the Federal Public Defender – Nevada
The Federal Public Defender is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must be a United States citizen, or a person authorized to work in the United States and receive compensation from this agency. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including an FBI name and fingerprint check.
The Federal Public Defender, District of Nevada is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Special Projects Unit. The Special Projects Unit litigates and advocates for clients in collaboration with other units in the office. The Special Projects Unit currently represents immigration detainees in federal habeas corpus proceedings brought under 28 U.S.C. § 2241.
This is a full-time position that can be based in Las Vegas or Reno. Remote opportunities will be considered. Travel to Las Vegas for court hearings is required.
Requirements: Applicants must possess strong writing, oral advocacy ability, and litigation experience in at least one of the following areas: criminal law (trial, post-conviction, or appellate litigation), immigration law, or federal court civil litigation. Applicants must be team-oriented and have at least 2-3 years of relevant legal experience.
Selection Criteria: Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to defending the constitutional rights of indigent persons. Applicants must demonstrate a desire to litigate emerging and complex legal issues and be adept at practicing in multiple areas of criminal defense. Those with federal clerkship experience are encouraged to apply. Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required.
How to Apply: Qualified individuals should submit a single PDF that contains a letter of interest, resume, writing sample, and three references. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. This position will remain open until filled with preference given to those who apply by March 22, 2026. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Please do not call or email regarding the status of your application.
Jennifer Yim
Human Resources Counsel
Office of the Federal Public Defender -Nevada
The Federal Public Defender is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must be a United States citizen, or a person authorized to work in the United States and receive compensation from this agency. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including an FBI name and fingerprint check.
Our office values excellence. Our clients deserve the best federal criminal defense representation possible and we provide every client with exemplary advocacy. A cooperative and collaborative environment achieves those results. The office seeks candidates who have proven, successful and relevant legal experience. We hire individuals who want to be a part of an organization that values professionalism and respect for our clients, our clients’ family members, court personnel, management and each other. We believe in and strive to facilitate an appropriate work/life balance for every member of the office. Communication and transparency are a necessary and important part of a healthy office culture. We honor diversity and believe we are stronger when we value and respect each other -- regardless of race, ethnicity, color, gender, religious affiliations, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or mental or physical abilities.
The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program provides health care coverage for millions of federal employees, retirees, former employees, family members, and former spouses. As a federal employee, you are entitled to enroll yourself and eligible family members in one of the many health plans offered under the FEHB Program. You are also eligible to take FEHB coverage into retirement if you meet the requirements set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Health benefits are provided by insurance carriers, which vary based on your geographic location. Each health plan carrier under the FEHB Program charges a different premium.
Advantages of FEHB include:
The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Program (FEDVIP) is a benefit to supplement your health insurance. FEDVIP allows dental and vision insurance to be purchased on a group basis, which means competitive premiums for you and your family. There are no pre-existing condition limitations. FEDVIP is an employee-pay-all benefit.
The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program is the group term life insurance program for federal government employees. Your life insurance coverage through FEGLI consists of two parts: Basic insurance and Optional insurance. Basic insurance is automatically granted, but can be waived if you do not wish to participate. Optional insurance for yourself and your family is fully voluntary, but you must be enrolled in Basic insurance and you must submit election forms in order to participate. Because it is term life insurance, FEGLI does not build up any cash value or paid-up value.
Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
FERS stands for the Federal Employees Retirement System. If you started your service in 1984 or after, or you specifically elected FERS when it was offered, you are covered under FERS. FERS is a retirement plan made up of three components that work to build your retirement savings in different ways: the Basic Benefit Plan, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). You contribute a percentage of your base pay to the FERS Basic Benefit throughout your career.
401K Plan
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement benefit offered to employees of the federal government. Administered by the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, the TSP gives you the opportunity to participate in a long-term retirement savings and investment plan.
It is your responsibility to set your financial goals for retirement and saving through the TSP plays an important role from your first day of employment on. Participating in the TSP can significantly increase your retirement income, but starting early is important. Contributing early gives the money in your account more time to increase in value through the compounding of earnings.
Federal employment offers 10 paid federal holidays and a generous amount of vacation and sick leave.
411 E. Bonneville Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89101
200 S. Virginia St., Suite 340
Reno, Nevada 89501