Research and Writing Specialist Job at United States Courts in San Antonio
United States Courts, San Antonio, TX, United States
Job Details for Research and Writing Specialist Court Name/Organization Texas Western Federal Public Defender
Overview of the Position The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas is accepting applications for a research and writing specialist to be stationed in the San Antonio office. The Federal Public Defender operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. 3006A, to provide defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters by appointment from the court to individuals unable to afford counsel.
The primary duties of a research and writing specialist include: (1) drafting motions, memoranda, briefs, and petitions to be filed in the U.S. District Court; and (2) consulting with attorneys on legal issues arising in discovery, motion practice, trial, sentencing, and appeal. A research and writing specialist may have to perform general paralegal duties, and other duties as assigned. The research and writing specialist is not an assistant federal public defender and does not sign pleadings or make court appearances. The position requires occasional travel.
Selection Criteria
The successful applicant will have strong legal research and word processing skills, the ability to analyze legal issues from complex records, and write clearly and concisely. Applicants should also have an stablished capacity or clearly demonstrated aptitude for excellence in criminal defense practice, a commitment to the representation of indigent accused persons, and a reputation for integrity. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, and court and agency personnel. Finally, applicants must also be team-oriented and possess skills for collaboration, strategic litigation, compassionate representation, and unique approaches to the issues affecting our clients. Appellate writing experience or experience in handling federal criminal cases is preferred.
Qualifications The research and writing specialist position is an attorney position. Applicants must be: (1) a graduate of an accredited law school; (2) admitted to practice law in Texas or by the highest court of another state; and (3) admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas within one year after employment begins. At least three years of specialized experience is preferred. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including but not limited to an FBI name and fingerprint check.
Employee Benefits The starting salary of a research and writing specialist will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant, within a range from $75,776 (JSP-11, Step 1) to $150,119 (JSP-15, Step 1) per annum. The position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service. The position offers federal government employment benefits, including health and life insurance, retirement, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).
The primary duties of a research and writing specialist include: (1) drafting motions, memoranda, briefs, and petitions to be filed in the U.S. District Court; and (2) consulting with attorneys on legal issues arising in discovery, motion practice, trial, sentencing, and appeal. A research and writing specialist may have to perform general paralegal duties, and other duties as assigned. The research and writing specialist is not an assistant federal public defender and does not sign pleadings or make court appearances. The position requires occasional travel.
Selection Criteria
The successful applicant will have strong legal research and word processing skills, the ability to analyze legal issues from complex records, and write clearly and concisely. Applicants should also have an stablished capacity or clearly demonstrated aptitude for excellence in criminal defense practice, a commitment to the representation of indigent accused persons, and a reputation for integrity. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, and court and agency personnel. Finally, applicants must also be team-oriented and possess skills for collaboration, strategic litigation, compassionate representation, and unique approaches to the issues affecting our clients. Appellate writing experience or experience in handling federal criminal cases is preferred.
Application Info Qualified persons may apply by sending a letter of interest (mentioning announcement 26-19), a résumé, references, and representative writing sample. Legal experience should be described in detail. Send all required documents in a single PDF document named with applicant’s “last name, first name-Announcement 26-19 SA RAWS” by email to TXW_Employment@fd.org . Electronic submissions sent directly to the Defender will not be considered. For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations, which are decided on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, contact personnel administrator Victoria B. Longoria at (210) 981-2081. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. Position announced Feb. 9, 2026, subject to the availability of funds; open until filled.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas is accepting applications for a research and writing specialist to be stationed in the San Antonio office . The position is not an assistant federal public defender and does not sign pleadings or make court appearances . The successful applicant will have strong legal research and word processing skills, the ability to analyze legal issues from complex records, and write clearly and concisely .
En Español: El Defensor Público Federal del Distrito Occidental de Texas está aceptando solicitudes para un especialista en investigación y escritura que se estacione en la oficina de San Antonio. El Defensor Pública Federal opera bajo la autoridad de la Ley de Justicia Penal, 18 U.S.C. 3006A, para proporcionar servicios de defensa en casos penales federales y asuntos relacionados por nombramiento desde el tribunal a personas incapaces de pagar abogado. Las tareas primarias de un investigador y escritor especialistas incluyen: (1) redactar mociones, memorandos, resúmenes y peticiones para ser presentadas en el Tribunal Distrital de los Estados Unidos; y (2) consultar con abogados sobre temas legales que surgen en discovery, movimiento práctica, juicio, sentencia y apelación. Los solicitantes también deben tener una capacidad establecida o aptitud claramente demostrada para la excelencia en la práctica de defensa penal. Se prefieren experiencias de escritura de apelaciones o experiencia en el manejo de casos penales federales. El puesto está en el servicio excepcional y no tiene los derechos de tenencia del Servicio Civil competitivo. La posición ofrece beneficios para el empleo del gobierno federal, incluyendo seguro de salud y vida, jubilación y participación en el Plan de Ahorros a Efecto. El salario solo se paga por Transferencia Electrónica de Fondos (depósito directo). Las tareas primarias de un especialista en investigación y escritura incluyen: (1) redacción de mociones, memorandos, resúmenes y peticiones que deben presentarse en la Corte Distrital de Estados Unidos; y (2) consulta con abogados sobre cuestiones legales derivadas de descubrimiento, práctica de movimientos, juicio, sentencia y apelación. Un experto en investigaciones y escrituras puede tener que desempeñar funciones paralegales generales y otros deberes según lo asignado. Por último, los solicitantes también deben estar orientados al equipo y poseer habilidades para la colaboración, litigios estratégicos, representación compasiva y enfoques únicos a las cuestiones que afectan a nuestros clientes. Se prefiere experiencia en escritura de peticiones o experiencia en el manejo de casos penales federales. Información de aplicación Las personas calificadas pueden solicitar enviando una carta de interés (mencionando el anuncio 26-19), un currículum, referencias y muestra de escritura representativa. La experiencia legal debe describirse en detalle. Enviar todos los documentos requeridos en un único documento PDF nombrado con el apellido del solicitante , primer nombre-Anuncio 26 RAWS por correo electrónico a TXW_Employment@fd.org . No se considerarán las presentaciones electrónicas directamente a la organización Defensoría. Para los candidatos con discapacidades, esto proporciona acomodaciones razonables, que se deciden según el proceso de empleo.
Overview of the Position The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas is accepting applications for a research and writing specialist to be stationed in the San Antonio office. The Federal Public Defender operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. 3006A, to provide defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters by appointment from the court to individuals unable to afford counsel.
The primary duties of a research and writing specialist include: (1) drafting motions, memoranda, briefs, and petitions to be filed in the U.S. District Court; and (2) consulting with attorneys on legal issues arising in discovery, motion practice, trial, sentencing, and appeal. A research and writing specialist may have to perform general paralegal duties, and other duties as assigned. The research and writing specialist is not an assistant federal public defender and does not sign pleadings or make court appearances. The position requires occasional travel.
Selection Criteria
The successful applicant will have strong legal research and word processing skills, the ability to analyze legal issues from complex records, and write clearly and concisely. Applicants should also have an stablished capacity or clearly demonstrated aptitude for excellence in criminal defense practice, a commitment to the representation of indigent accused persons, and a reputation for integrity. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, and court and agency personnel. Finally, applicants must also be team-oriented and possess skills for collaboration, strategic litigation, compassionate representation, and unique approaches to the issues affecting our clients. Appellate writing experience or experience in handling federal criminal cases is preferred.
Qualifications The research and writing specialist position is an attorney position. Applicants must be: (1) a graduate of an accredited law school; (2) admitted to practice law in Texas or by the highest court of another state; and (3) admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas within one year after employment begins. At least three years of specialized experience is preferred. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including but not limited to an FBI name and fingerprint check.
Employee Benefits The starting salary of a research and writing specialist will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant, within a range from $75,776 (JSP-11, Step 1) to $150,119 (JSP-15, Step 1) per annum. The position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service. The position offers federal government employment benefits, including health and life insurance, retirement, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).
The primary duties of a research and writing specialist include: (1) drafting motions, memoranda, briefs, and petitions to be filed in the U.S. District Court; and (2) consulting with attorneys on legal issues arising in discovery, motion practice, trial, sentencing, and appeal. A research and writing specialist may have to perform general paralegal duties, and other duties as assigned. The research and writing specialist is not an assistant federal public defender and does not sign pleadings or make court appearances. The position requires occasional travel.
Selection Criteria
The successful applicant will have strong legal research and word processing skills, the ability to analyze legal issues from complex records, and write clearly and concisely. Applicants should also have an stablished capacity or clearly demonstrated aptitude for excellence in criminal defense practice, a commitment to the representation of indigent accused persons, and a reputation for integrity. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, and court and agency personnel. Finally, applicants must also be team-oriented and possess skills for collaboration, strategic litigation, compassionate representation, and unique approaches to the issues affecting our clients. Appellate writing experience or experience in handling federal criminal cases is preferred.
Application Info Qualified persons may apply by sending a letter of interest (mentioning announcement 26-19), a résumé, references, and representative writing sample. Legal experience should be described in detail. Send all required documents in a single PDF document named with applicant’s “last name, first name-Announcement 26-19 SA RAWS” by email to TXW_Employment@fd.org . Electronic submissions sent directly to the Defender will not be considered. For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations, which are decided on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, contact personnel administrator Victoria B. Longoria at (210) 981-2081. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. Position announced Feb. 9, 2026, subject to the availability of funds; open until filled.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas is accepting applications for a research and writing specialist to be stationed in the San Antonio office . The position is not an assistant federal public defender and does not sign pleadings or make court appearances . The successful applicant will have strong legal research and word processing skills, the ability to analyze legal issues from complex records, and write clearly and concisely .
En Español: El Defensor Público Federal del Distrito Occidental de Texas está aceptando solicitudes para un especialista en investigación y escritura que se estacione en la oficina de San Antonio. El Defensor Pública Federal opera bajo la autoridad de la Ley de Justicia Penal, 18 U.S.C. 3006A, para proporcionar servicios de defensa en casos penales federales y asuntos relacionados por nombramiento desde el tribunal a personas incapaces de pagar abogado. Las tareas primarias de un investigador y escritor especialistas incluyen: (1) redactar mociones, memorandos, resúmenes y peticiones para ser presentadas en el Tribunal Distrital de los Estados Unidos; y (2) consultar con abogados sobre temas legales que surgen en discovery, movimiento práctica, juicio, sentencia y apelación. Los solicitantes también deben tener una capacidad establecida o aptitud claramente demostrada para la excelencia en la práctica de defensa penal. Se prefieren experiencias de escritura de apelaciones o experiencia en el manejo de casos penales federales. El puesto está en el servicio excepcional y no tiene los derechos de tenencia del Servicio Civil competitivo. La posición ofrece beneficios para el empleo del gobierno federal, incluyendo seguro de salud y vida, jubilación y participación en el Plan de Ahorros a Efecto. El salario solo se paga por Transferencia Electrónica de Fondos (depósito directo). Las tareas primarias de un especialista en investigación y escritura incluyen: (1) redacción de mociones, memorandos, resúmenes y peticiones que deben presentarse en la Corte Distrital de Estados Unidos; y (2) consulta con abogados sobre cuestiones legales derivadas de descubrimiento, práctica de movimientos, juicio, sentencia y apelación. Un experto en investigaciones y escrituras puede tener que desempeñar funciones paralegales generales y otros deberes según lo asignado. Por último, los solicitantes también deben estar orientados al equipo y poseer habilidades para la colaboración, litigios estratégicos, representación compasiva y enfoques únicos a las cuestiones que afectan a nuestros clientes. Se prefiere experiencia en escritura de peticiones o experiencia en el manejo de casos penales federales. Información de aplicación Las personas calificadas pueden solicitar enviando una carta de interés (mencionando el anuncio 26-19), un currículum, referencias y muestra de escritura representativa. La experiencia legal debe describirse en detalle. Enviar todos los documentos requeridos en un único documento PDF nombrado con el apellido del solicitante , primer nombre-Anuncio 26 RAWS por correo electrónico a TXW_Employment@fd.org . No se considerarán las presentaciones electrónicas directamente a la organización Defensoría. Para los candidatos con discapacidades, esto proporciona acomodaciones razonables, que se deciden según el proceso de empleo.