Special Litigation Attorney

PDS Overview: The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees. PDS provides legal representation to individuals who are facing a loss of liberty in criminal, delinquency, and mental health justice matters in the local District of Columbia justice system, but who are financially unable to obtain adequate representation. PDS’s staff consists of approximately 100 attorneys and approximately 100 social workers, investigators, administrative, and technical staff. Most employees work at the main office at 633 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in certain federal benefit plans: health and life insurance, federal retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Employees with creditable federal service will receive recognition of that service for leave accrual and retirement purposes.

Employment at the Public Defender Service is at will and is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment.

Division Description: The Special Litigation Division of the Public Defender Service is dedicated to addressing recurring and systemic violations of our clients’ rights to fair trials, sentences, and treatment. The Division engages in a wide variety of criminal and civil litigation in local and federal courts. Currently the Division is focused on several issues, including adult sentences imposed on people who committed crimes when they were adolescents, compassionate release for individuals who demonstrate extraordinary and compelling circumstances for their release, unconstitutional conditions imposed on incarcerated individuals, treatment of individuals in the criminal legal system living with mental health conditions, unlawful practices related to parole and supervised release, police misconduct, and government failures to disclose exculpatory evidence.

Position Description: SLD attorneys litigate criminal and civil cases in local and federal courts, and act as consultants to attorneys in the other divisions of PDS. The attorney’s caseload will primarily involve resentencing litigation under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act and/or compassionate release litigation. The attorney may also engage in systemic litigation, work on policy reform, and join specialized practice groups focused on issues affecting PDS clients. The attorney’s duties will include drafting substantive pleadings and presenting oral arguments; working with trial and appellate lawyers in on-going criminal litigation; engaging in extensive legal research; factual investigation and development; working with scientific experts and other consultants; conducting evidentiary hearings; and presenting training sessions for PDS and Criminal Justice Act attorneys. SLD attorneys must have excellent research and writing skills, be creative and persuasive advocates, both orally and in writing, and enjoy working collaboratively and under active supervision.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time permanent position. Due to the nature of the position, special litigation attorneys are often required to work nights, weekends, and other non-traditional schedules. Currently, special litigation lawyers are required to work in-office at least three days a week and may work remotely only up to two days a week. Absent unusual circumstances, certain duties must be performed in person, including hearings, meetings, and visits to detention facilities. For this position, the attorney is responsible for ensuring that any remote work complies with the ethical and practice requirements of the remote jurisdiction. Furthermore, some travel to visit clients incarcerated outside of the jurisdiction is required.

Required Qualifications: J.D. or equivalent degree from an accredited law school; excellent research, writing, and oral persuasion skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• experience working closely with clients and/or individuals similar to PDS clients;

• experience leading or coordinating teams and/or investigations;

• experience reviewing extensive case-related records, including medical, mental health, and court records;

• experience writing on a variety of complex, substantive issues;

• experience with managing a heavy litigation caseload, including managing competing deadlines and long-term projects;

• courtroom, oral advocacy and/or evidentiary hearing experience.

Attorneys with journalism, investigative, policy, social work, and other backgrounds, who developed relevant or transferable skills that can support the work of SLD, are encouraged to apply and to address the importance of their background. If, because of financial constraints or other issues, you have been unable to participate in the type of work that would demonstrate your commitment to our mission, please also address that in your cover letter.

Bar membership and eligibility required: Must be a member of the DC Bar or eligible to become a member by December 31, 2026. Eligibility information is available at D.C. App. R. 46. D.C. Bar membership eligibility should be addressed in the cover letter.

How to Apply: Applicants must submit: (1) a cover letter that explains why you want to work at the Special Litigation Division of the Public Defender Service; (2) a resume; (3) a list of three references (name, e-mail address, telephone number, and a brief statement of how each reference is able to evaluate your skills); (4) a legal writing sample, preferably a brief or other advocacy piece; and (5) a law school transcript.* All materials must be submitted online as a consolidated PDF through the PDS employment web portal at https://www.pdsdc.org/careers.

If you are unable to apply through the portal, would like assistance applying, or have questions about the position, contact:

Jennifer Thomas, Director of Legal Recruiting

jenthomas@pdsdc.org

(202) 824-2337

* An unofficial transcript is acceptable.