The Federal Public Defender provides criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel and supervises a full-time staff of attorneys and administrative and clerical personnel. The selected candidate may sit in any location that the Northern District of Florida has a Federal Public Defender office: Gainesville, Tallahassee, or Pensacola.
Summary
The Federal Public Defender provides criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel and supervises a full-time staff of attorneys and administrative and clerical personnel. The selected candidate may sit in any location that the Northern District of Florida has a Federal Public Defender office: Gainesville, Tallahassee, or Pensacola.
The Federal Public Defender, under authority of 18 U.S.C. ยง 3006A(g)(2)(A), provides criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel and supervises a full-time staff of attorneys and administrative and clerical personnel.
Although the incumbent Federal Public Defender, Joseph F. DeBelder, intends to seek reappointment to this position, there is no presumptive right to reappointment and the Court will consider all applications under the same standards.
Must be a citizen of the United States or be eligible to work in the United States.
Federal public defenders may not engage in the private practice of law and are subject to judiciary financial disclosure requirements.
Qualifications
Must be a member in good standing of at least one state bar or the District of Columbia or the Virgin Islands bar, and a member in good standing of every other bar of which they are members;
Must have been engaged in the active practice of criminal law for a period of at least five years, preferably with significant federal criminal trial and appellate experience;
Must possess the ability to administer a Federal Public Defender's office effectively;
Must possess, and have a reputation for: integrity and good character; sound physical and mental health; commitment to equal justice under law and vigorous representation of his or her clients; outstanding legal ability and competence (evidenced by substantial legal experience, ability to deal with complex legal problems, aptitude for legal scholarship and writing, and familiarity with courts and court processes);
Must have a commitment to the vigorous representation of those unable to afford counsel; and
Must not be related by blood or marriage to a judge of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals or to a judge of the district court to be served, within the degrees specified in Title 28, United States Code, Section 458 at the time of the initial appointment.
Education
Must be a graduate of an accredited law school.
Additional information
The United States Courts are Equal Opportunity Employers
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Pay is only part of the generous total compensation package you will receive while working for the federal Judiciary. We offer employees a diverse group of benefit programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
A review committee will evaluate all qualified candidates in accordance with the regulations of the Judicial Conference of the United States and the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit governing the appointment and reappointment of Federal Public Defenders. The Court will consider all applications under the same standards.
Pay is only part of the generous total compensation package you will receive while working for the federal Judiciary. We offer employees a diverse group of benefit programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applications are available at www.ca11.uscourts.gov; from any federal Clerk of Court in the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia; and from the Circuit Executive, Ashlyn D. Beck, 56 Forsyth Street, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
Applications should be emailed in confidence as one single PDF attachment to the Circuit Executive at ca11_appointments@ca11.uscourts.gov on or before February 12, 2026. Please indicate Federal Public Defender - FLND in the subject line.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applications are available at www.ca11.uscourts.gov; from any federal Clerk of Court in the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia; and from the Circuit Executive, Ashlyn D. Beck, 56 Forsyth Street, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
Applications should be emailed in confidence as one single PDF attachment to the Circuit Executive at ca11_appointments@ca11.uscourts.gov on or before February 12, 2026. Please indicate Federal Public Defender - FLND in the subject line.
