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Federal Public Defender Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Florida

$100 - $140/hr

Assistant Federal Public Defender - West Palm Beach, Ft. Pierce The Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Florida is accepting applications for the multi-site position of Assistant ...

State of Montana

Public Defender

Custer, MT · On-site

Public Defenders work for their clients, protect constitutional rights, and ensure the system ... Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules. * Identifies and Interviews ...

Munro Footwear Group

Public Defender

Great Falls, MT · On-site

$92 - $119/hr

- Public Defender (26142158) Position Title: Public Defender - ( 26142158 ) Our Mission To Provide ... Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules. * Identifies and Interviews ...

State of Montana

Public Defender

Billings, OK · On-site +1

Public Defenders work for their clients, protect constitutional rights, and ensure the system ... Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules. * Identifies and Interviews ...

State of Montana

Public Defender

Helena, MT · On-site +1

Public Defenders work for their clients, protect constitutional rights, and ensure the system ... Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules. * Identifies and Interviews ...

State of Montana

Public Defender

Miles City, MT · On-site +1

Public Defenders work for their clients, protect constitutional rights, and ensure the system ... Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules. * Identifies and Interviews ...

Montana

Public Defender

Miles City, MT · On-site +1

Public Defenders work for their clients, protect constitutional rights, and ensure the system ... Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules. * Identifies and Interviews ...

Montana

Public Defender

Butte, MT · On-site +1

Public Defenders work for their clients, protect constitutional rights, and ensure the system ... Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules. * Identifies and Interviews ...

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Federal Public Defender information

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$28K

$107.5K

$184.5K

How much do federal public defender jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal public defender in the United States is $107,533.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $134,000.00 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.

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What cities are hiring for Federal Public Defender jobs?

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

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What states have the most Federal Public Defender jobs?

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Federal Public Defender jobs near you
Infographic showing various Federal Public Defender job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,533 per year, or $51.7 per hour.

Assistant Federal Public Defender - West Palm Beach, Ft. Pierce

Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Florida

West Palm Beach, FL • On-site

$100 - $140/hr

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Assistant Federal Public Defender – West Palm Beach, Ft. Pierce

The Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Florida is accepting applications for the multi-site position of Assistant Federal Public Defender in both our West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce offices. The duty station would be in our West Palm Beach office but the position would require travel to and from the West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce offices. The Federal Public Defender, a branch of the United States Courts, an Equal Opportunity Employer, operates under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. §3006A, to provide defense services to indigent persons in federal criminal cases and related matters in the federal courts.

Requirements: An Assistant Federal Public Defender must: (1) be a graduate of an accredited law school and have admission and good standing in a state bar; (2) have at least two years of experience practicing law; and (3) be a member of, or eligible for immediate admission to, the bar of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and must be a United States citizen.

Duties: Assistant Federal Public Defender duties include research and writing motions and briefs, attending trial and other court hearings, direct appeals to the circuit court, post-conviction and witness representation, and representation in other matters such as supervised release and parole hearings. Must be able to work out of both West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce locations.

Selection Criteria: The successful applicant must have a demonstrated capacity or aptitude for excellence in trial and appellate practice, a commitment to the representation of indigent accused persons, and sufficient experience to immediately undertake the defense of serious criminal cases in the United States courts. This position also requires excellent courtroom skills, strong writing abilities, excellent research and time management skills, proficiency in computer-assisted legal research, and word processing capability.

The selected candidate will be subject to a background check as a condition of employment and could be subject to an additional government security clearance on some cases.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time “at-will” position, and salary is commensurate with Assistant United States Attorneys for the Southern District of Florida. This position offers federal employment benefits, including health and life insurance, dependent and long-term insurance programs, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits program, mandatory participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).

The Federal Public Defender is an Equal-Opportunity Employer.
All applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin,
gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability,
or age, are encouraged to apply.

The Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of [...].

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