Legal Research & Writing Specialist

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Open Date: Feb 20, 2025
Close Date: Mar 21, 2025
Job Vacancy #: PDS-2025-13
Location: 633 3rd Street, NW Washington, DC 20001

About The Job

Division Overview:

Attorneys in the Trial Division zealously represent adults in criminal proceedings in the District of Columbia Superior Court (Superior Court) and children in delinquency matters. Attorneys are assigned to specific levels of cases based on experience and performance. As a result of intensive supervision and ongoing training, attorneys generally progress over the course of several years from litigating juvenile delinquency matters to litigating the most serious adult offenses. Trial Division staff attorneys also provide representation in a wide range of other legal matters through PDS’s Duty Day Program and the Superior Court’s Drug Court Program.

Position Description:

The Legal Research and Writing Attorney provides advanced research and writing support to trial attorneys by researching legal issues and drafting legal pleadings for evidentiary hearings, trials, and appeals. The candidate must have a passion for public service, strong judgment, and be able to work both independently and collaboratively. This is a one-year appointment under the direct supervision of the Trial Chief and the Deputy Trial Chief.  

This is a full-time in-person position with an option for some telework. Due to the nature of the position as a support for attorneys in trial, the incumbent will often be required to work nights, weekends, and other non-traditional hours in order to meet deadlines. 

Major Duties:

Provide advanced research and writing services to staff attorneys in the Trial Division by: 
• Assisting trial attorneys with legal issues arising in motion practice, evidentiary hearings, trials; 
• Drafting and editing legal pleadings, motions, and appeals;
• Conducting in-depth legal research using online databases, law libraries, and other resources;
• Analyzing and interpreting statutes, regulations, legal articles, case law, and other legal texts;
• Staying abreast of new case law and legal developments in the field of criminal law;
• Updating and maintaining the division’s motions bank;
• Participating in regularly scheduled Trial Practice Groups for upcoming trials;
• Attending court hearings and trials as part of the defense team; and
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school; excellent research and writing skills; proven proficiency in utilizing legal research databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis; exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills; ability to produce high-quality written work, often under significant time constraints; strong organizational and time-management abilities;  membership in the D.C. Bar or, at the time of application, eligibility to “waive into” the D.C. Bar without needing to take the D.C. Bar exam.  (See D.C. App. R. 46(b)(A)(B)(ii) or (iv). Applicants should address their bar status and eligibility in their cover letter.    

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity with D.C. Superior Court Rules, D.C. substantive criminal law and procedure; prior criminal defense experience through law school clinics, internships, or other legal positions; and prior judicial clerkship and/or appellate experience.

Application Evaluation:

Applicants will be evaluated based on the quality of their legal research and writing, and commitment to supporting clients charged with crimes. Applicants invited to interview will be required to submit a timed writing sample based on a writing prompt provided by the hiring committee. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Pay Series:

PDS-AD-11/3 - 13/1

Compensation:

$83,830 - $112,015

How to Apply:

Please submit (1) a cover letter; (2) current resume; (3) law school transcript; (4) two legal writing samples, preferably a brief or other advocacy piece; and (5) the names of three references with contact information and a statement of how each reference is able to evaluate your skills. Your application materials should be consolidated and uploaded as a single PDF document where indicated.

If you have difficulty submitting your application or have questions about the position, contact Jennifer Thomas at [email protected] (202) 480-0385.

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Disclaimer

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 facing a loss of freedom in the local criminal, delinquency, and mental health systems in the District of Columbia. PDS’s approximately 275 attorneys, social workers, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical staff collaborate with each other to advance the PDS mission. PDS’s main office is located at 633 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in the federal health and life insurance plans, the federal retirement plans (FERS, FERS-RAE, FERS-FRAE, CSRS, CSRS-Offset), and the Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes. Employment at PDS is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are at-will.

PDS is an E-Verify participating agency. Please see the Right to Work Poster and the E-Verify Participation Poster for more information.

 

PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and E-Verify Participant.