Job Details for Criminal Justice Act Coordinating Attorney
| Court Name/Organization: | Maryland District Court |
| Overview of the Position: | The District of Maryland is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Coordinating Attorney. This position is responsible for the day-to-day oversight and administration of the CJA panel of attorneys. The incumbent works to achieve the objective of high-quality representation by panel attorneys and cost containment/accountability. The position reports to the clerk of court. This is a full-time position that will not permit court appearances or the private practice of law. |
| Location: | Greenbelt, Baltimore, MD |
| Opening and Closing Dates: | 08/28/2024 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type: | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade: | 29 |
| Salary: | $94,359 - $181,228 |
| Link to Court Careers Information: | https://www.mdd.uscourts.gov/employment-opportunities |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist in the prompt appointment of counsel for indigent defendants in federal court, ensuring systematic and equitable distribution of cases to CJA attorneys
- Provide assistance and advice to panel attorneys on CJA processes and procedures, including consultation on the hiring of experts
- Develop uniform guidelines and policies for the accurate and prompt payment of CJA vouchers
- Coordinate CJA case budgeting in complex matters, as required by the court, and in particular coordinate with CJA panel attorneys and other defense counsel in multi-defendant cases to eliminate duplication of efforts, encourage and facilitate cooperation in discovery, expert coordination, and retention, and investigative needs
- Collect and analyze costs and other data and prepare reports regarding CJA voucher payments and procedures and CJA panel management
- Expeditiously review vouchers submitted by CJA panel attorneys, experts, and other service providers for reasonableness, accuracy, and compliance with the Guidelines for the Administration of the CJA (Vol. VII, Guide to Judiciary Policies and Procedures)
- Consult with CJA panel attorneys and judges, when necessary, to resolve disputes on specific vouchers
- Collaborate with the Office of the Federal Defender to provide Continuing Legal Education training for CJA panel attorneys
- Maintain applications submitted by prospective CJA panel members and respond to inquiries concerning membership
- Staff the court’s CJA Committee, preparing agendas and taking minutes
- Remain current with developments within the circuit and the district court, as well as evolving legislation pertaining to the CJA. Update panel attorneys and judges as appropriate.
- Assist with the appointment of pro bono counsel in civil cases and facilitate approved reimbursements of expenses
- Assist the clerk’s office with the development of legal and administrative procedures, policies, and forms; conduct legal research and provide procedural and substantive advice on legal policy matters applicable to court activities or assigned projects
Qualification
- A J.D. degree and admission to practice before a bar is required
- Three years of specialized experience is required. Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible experience in the practice of criminal law, legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience.
- Knowledge of and experience with the processes, policies, and procedures of the Criminal Justice Act
- Ability to understand and accurately carry out detailed, complex, and evolving instructions while managing tight deadlines and conflicting priorities
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to provide instruction and advice on complex matters
- Skill in the use of automated legal research systems, Microsoft Word, and various other types of software. Prior experience with the federal Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system is preferred.
How To Apply
Submit a cover letter stating the reasons for your interest in the position, a resume, and a completed AO-78 Application for Federal Employment as a single pdf document to jobs@mdd.uscourts.gov. Include the job title for which you are applying in the email's subject header.
To ensure first consideration, complete application packets must be received by 5 p.m. on Sept. 20, 2024.
Due to the volume of applications received, the court will only communicate with those individuals invited for an interview. In the event a position becomes vacant in either division or in a similar classification within a reasonable time from the original announcement, the clerk of court may select an appointee from the candidates who responded to the initial announcement without posting the vacancy.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.