Capital Habeas Unit Law Clerk

Every year, the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California (FPD-CDCA) offers four students an opportunity to work directly on death penalty cases in our Capital Habeas Unit (CHU). The students begin the summer with a two-week “boot camp” where they learn the “nuts and bolts” of capital habeas litigation. Over the next eight weeks of the program, we strive to involve the students in all aspects of our work: investigating the factual bases for our claims, researching discrete issues in criminal and constitutional law, drafting claims for federal habeas petitions, and writing sections of appellate briefs. During the summer students will also have an opportunity to observe case-management meetings and participate in moots for Ninth Circuit arguments. Our summer program typically provides students with many opportunities to watch trials in district court and oral arguments at the Ninth Circuit. All in all, this program provides students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain, in just ten weeks, a sophisticated understanding of the criminal justice system and what is required to provide meaningful and effective representation to criminal defendants and capital and non-capital habeas petitioners.

Unfortunately, at this time the CHU does not offer clerkships during the school year, nor do we have a post-bar program.

Time Commitment
During the summer, law clerks agree to volunteer 40 hours a week for a ten-week period.

Qualifications
Applicants to the program must be attending accredited law school. The program seeks applicants with strong written and oral communication skills and a demonstrated interest in indigent defense.

Obtaining School Credit
Many law school programs will award academic credit to participants in the law clerk program. The requirements and procedures vary depending upon the specific school’s guidelines. The law clerk is responsible for coordinating between their school and our office to assure that all relevant paperwork is completed.

How to Apply
For the CHU’s summer law clerk program, please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample through our Careers Page.

Timing for Applications
Direct applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of the last day in January. We recommend that you submit your materials as early as possible. 

The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California 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.