The Kansas Federal Public Defender (FPD) is accepting applications for an Assistant Federal Public Defender in our Topeka and Wichita Offices. The Kansas FPD provides legal representation to indigent clients in federal criminal cases and related matters. The Office values hard work, diversity, teamwork, creativity, flexibility, and fairness.
The Job: Assistant Federal Public Defenders must meet individual client needs while managing full caseloads. AFPDs develop release plans; review discovery; research, write, and litigate motions; develop litigation strategy; work with experts; negotiate resolutions; serve as counsel in jury trials; navigate complex federal sentencing statutes and guidelines; and advocate for fair sentences and alternative outcomes.
Attorneys in our office may not engage in private practice.
Requirements. The successful applicant must:
• Have a law degree from an accredited law school;
• Be licensed to practice and in good standing in at least one State or Washington, D.C.;
• Have an interest in indigent defense and federal criminal law;
• Possess excellent research and writing skills;
• Possess the ability to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and court and
agency personnel;
• Possess strong oral advocacy and interpersonal skills;
• Work well in a team and collaborative environment.
The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with other attorneys and support staff; to work well independently; to multi-task; to handle a larger caseload of less complex cases; and be motivated to help indigent clients at the pretrial, posttrial, and postconviction stages. Some travel within Kansas is required. Applicants must also be allowed to work in the United States.
https://ks.fd.org/sites/ks/files/jobs/2026-09%20TOP%20AFPD%20-%20EXTENDED_0.pdf
At the Kansas Federal Public Defender's Office, we work to keep people out of prison through holistic representation, collaboration, and education. Our clients are people accused of federal crimes who cannot afford private lawyers. We protect their rights and center their humanity at every stage of the criminal case and beyond. We value hard work, diversity, teamwork, creativity, flexibility, and fairness.
Everyone in our office, regardless of title, is a public defender. We came to this work from a wide range of backgrounds, education, and experience. We stay in this work because we are passionate about fighting injustice and helping our clients.