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Federal Public Defender Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

City of Springfield, TN

Police Officer - POST Certified

TN ยท On-site

$25.11 - $34.59/hr

... federal law, local ordinance, and/or departmental policy. * Issues citations for traffic and ... Working for a public safety agency that operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to include ...

Contact Government Services, LLC

Auditor

Knoxville, TN ยท On-site

... of federal laws, particularly the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. ยงยง3729-3733, the Anti-Kickback ... Must be Certified Public Accountant. MBA or equivalent in accounting or directly related field.

Attorney | ICE

General Attorney

Memphis, TN ยท On-site

$63K/yr

Join a legal team dedicated to defending the nation's immigration laws and safeguarding the United ... If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal ...

Attorney | ICE

General Attorney

Nashville, TN ยท On-site

$63K/yr

Join a legal team dedicated to defending the nation's immigration laws and safeguarding the United ... If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal ...

Armaninollp

Senior Cloud & Security Engineer

Nashville, TN ยท Hybrid

$110K - $151K/yr

Armanino LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services, and Armanino ... In addition to federal law requirements, Armanino complies with applicable state and local laws ...

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Federal Public Defender information

See Tennessee salary details

$25.4K

$97.6K

$167.5K

How much do federal public defender jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal public defender in Tennessee is $97,599.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,700.00 and $121,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a federal public defender do?

A Federal Public Defender is a government-appointed attorney who represents individuals accused of federal crimes who cannot afford legal counsel. They provide defense services in federal court proceedings, including pre-trial hearings, trials, and appeals. Their role ensures that defendants receive fair legal representation as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Federal Public Defenders are experienced attorneys who work within a federally funded system separate from prosecutors to maintain impartiality.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a federal public defender?

To thrive as a Federal Public Defender, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a valid law license, and extensive knowledge of federal criminal law and procedure. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, case management systems, and federal court filing platforms is essential. Outstanding oral and written advocacy, discretion, and resilience under pressure are important soft skills in this demanding position. These skills enable the delivery of effective defense, protection of clients' rights, and successful navigation of complex federal cases.

What challenges do federal public defenders face in their daily work?

Federal Public Defenders often manage heavy caseloads and must quickly familiarize themselves with complex legal issues in each case. They face the challenge of representing clients who may have limited resources or trust in the legal system, requiring exceptional advocacy and interpersonal skills. The role involves frequent court appearances, close collaboration with investigators and support staff, and negotiation with federal prosecutors. Despite these demanding aspects, many defenders find the work highly rewarding due to its positive impact on ensuring justice and upholding constitutional rights.

What are the most commonly searched types of Federal Public Defender jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Federal Public Defender jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Federal Public Defender jobs in Tennessee?

For Federal Public Defender jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Federal Public Defender jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Federal Public Defender jobs in Tennessee are:

Federal Public Defender jobs near you
Infographic showing various Federal Public Defender job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,599 per year, or $46.9 per hour.

Attorney

Beasley Law Criminal Defense Attorneys

Nashville, TN

$95K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Criminal dockets don't follow the plan. Your 9:00 a.m. plea falls apart at 8:45, a witness doesn't show, the DA changes the offer in the hallway - and you adjust on your feet. If that energizes you rather than rattles you, keep reading.

Beasley Law Criminal Defense Attorneys is a Nashville-based law firm looking for an attorney to represent our existing client base - you'll walk into a full docket, not build one from scratch. You'll be in court most days, not behind a desk. Two things matter here more than anything on your resume: clients who feel genuinely cared for, and a lawyer who shows up on time, every time. Mornings matter - dockets start at 8:30 across multiple Middle Tennessee counties, and our lawyers are in the courtroom or the office, on time, every day.

If you have real courtroom instincts, connect easily with people in crisis, and can communicate in plain language, start your application today.

Compensation:

$95,000 – $115,000 base salary DOE + performance bonuses


Responsibilities:

  • Build trusted relationships with clients who are often frightened and facing serious consequences - we need a lawyer clients hug at the end of a case

  • Serve as clients' primary point of contact and respond promptly - a 4:30 PM Friday call gets the same care as a Monday morning one

  • Think on your feet in court: negotiate, pivot, and resolve cases when the day doesn't go as planned

  • Explain legal options, strategy, and likely outcomes in plain language - clients need to understand what's happening and feel heard

  • Counsel clients through difficult decisions with empathy and clarity, not just legal expertise

  • Manage a high-volume docket across multiple counties in Middle Tennessee, collaborating with our attorneys and support staff

  • Draft correspondence, pleadings, motions, and briefs; conduct legal research as cases require


Qualifications:

  • 3+ years of criminal law experience; admitted to practice in Tennessee

  • Former prosecutor or public defender experience strongly preferred — we have 2 former DAs and 1 former PD, and we especially value the client-management instincts of a PD for this role

  • High emotional intelligence: we hire for personality as much as skill, and we test for it

  • Resilience — the ups and downs of a criminal docket and high-anxiety clients without losing your cool

  • Reliability is non-negotiable: on time to court, on time to the office, responsive to clients

  • Tech-savvy and comfortable with modern case management software (we are a digital-first firm)

  • J.D. from an accredited law school


About Company

Beasley Law Criminal Defense Attorneys is a criminal and order-of-protection defense firm in Nashville built on one principle: every client deserves to be treated like the only client. Our team of former prosecutors and former public defenders has successfully defended more than 2,000 cases across Middle Tennessee — DUI, assault, drug offenses, orders of protection, and federal cases.

For our attorneys, that principle translates into how we run the firm: real courtroom work from day one, a full docket waiting instead of pressure to originate, support staff who handle the administrative weight, and a team that hires for character as much as credentials. We back that up with monthly health insurance reimbursement (QSEHRA), life insurance, long-term disability coverage, and mileage reimbursement for multi-county travel — and we invest in the people who grow with us.