Sentencing Resource Counsel Project
Position Annoucement
Sentencing Resource Counsel Attorney
(full-time remote position)
Anticipated Start Date: Summer 2026
The National Sentencing Resource Counsel Project (SRC) is accepting applications for the position of full-time project attorney. Candidates must be willing to work remotely.
About Us. The National Sentencing Resource Counsel (SRC) is a highly collaborative, mission-based project of the Federal Public and Community Defenders. SRC is one of several national projects that support the work of defenders and CJA-appointed attorneys. SRC staff are federal defender employees of the Office of the Federal Defender for the District of Arizona and are supervised by the SRC Director. SRC has four, often overlapping focus areas: U.S. Sentencing Commission, Legislation (Congress), Litigation, and Data, with attorneys typically focusing their attention on one of these:
- Commission. SRC’s Commission Attorneys work closely with the Federal Defender Sentencing Guidelines Committee to develop and convey the collective views and comments of federal defenders to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, as required by 28 U.S.C. § 994(o). Commission attorneys perform a variety of other functions, including: (1) overseeing amendment cycle deadlines and filings; (2) conducting legal and policy research and writing, and supervising and reviewing the written work of others (sometimes under intense time pressures); (3) recruiting and preparing defender witnesses to participate at Commission hearings and roundtables; (4) communicating and interacting with Commissioners and Commission staff; (5) preparing materials and talking points for, and participating at, Defender Committee meetings with Commissioners and Commission staff; (6) working with the Data Team to review and share information related to Commission data reports; and (7) engaging with policy organizations, judges, academics, and other stakeholders to assist the Sentencing Commission with its work.
- Legislative. SRC’s Legislative Attorney works closely with the Federal Defender Legislative Committee to formulate and convey the collective views of the federal defenders in response to (sometimes urgent) congressional requests for assistance on criminal law and sentencing matters. The attorney conducts rigorous legal and policy research and writing to assist the Committee with its work. Among other duties, they also: (1) meet with legislators and their staff to discuss legal and policy issues; (2) engage with internal and external stakeholders to give and receive insight regarding the real-world implications of legislative proposals; (3) draft written comments in response to executive agency requests; (4) meet with executive agency staff to identify and address issues facing federally-accused and convicted indigent individuals, as well as DOJ and BOP policies; (5) organize and facilitate regularly scheduled Legislative Committee meetings; and (6) update the field on legislative developments that could impact their representation of clients.
- Litigation. SRC’s Litigation Attorneys track emerging sentencing issues and help to develop and promote novel arguments that could positively benefit defender clients. Litigation attorneys also provide direct litigation support and training to defenders and CJA-appointed attorneys around the country related to sentencing law, policy, and practice, and host biweekly office hours to assist defense attorneys with case-specific sentencing questions. In appropriate, high-impact cases, Litigation Attorneys draft, review, and edit legal briefs and sentencing objections, help prepare attorneys for sentencing hearings and oral arguments, and attend hearings. They also promote information-sharing among defenders and CJA attorneys, including through SRC’s defender-liaison program. In turn, this community engagement informs SRC’s Commission and legislative policy work.
- Data. SRC’s Data Team presently consists of our Research Director and one data analyst who collaborate closely with other data experts to support the work of the other SRC attorneys. They analyze the Commission’s public dataset, data tools, and reports, as well as keep abreast of relevant social science research. They offer direct litigation support and training to defenders and CJA-appointed attorneys litigating data and data-adjacent issues.
Additionally, all SRC attorneys regularly train defenders and CJA-appointed attorneys on sentencing-related topics. SRC attorneys do not currently represent individual clients, although there may be opportunities for some limited, sentencing-related direct representation in the future.
The Job and Requirements. SRC seeks applicants primarily for the Litigation and Legislative roles, although qualified candidates will also be expected to do Commission work. Please indicate in your letter of interest your unique qualifications, highlighting any experience in legislative and sentencing policy reform, high-impact criminal defense litigation, using data in your advocacy, and training. For each position, you must:
- be a graduate of an accredited law school and have admission and good standing in a state bar;
- have extensive experience—ideally five or more years—in federal criminal defense as well as thorough familiarity with federal criminal law and sentencing policy;
- possess a careful attention to detail and excellent research, analytical, writing, and communication skills;
- have a demonstrated commitment to racial justice within the criminal legal system and to zealous advocacy on behalf of indigent individuals facing federal charges;
- have a reputation for personal integrity;
- be able to thoughtfully balance different, sometimes competing, interests and viewpoints;
- be able to work collaboratively with colleagues and outside organizations (often remotely, across the country and time zones) and to accept and provide extensive constructive feedback and edits on a short timeline;
- be able to work independently from a remote work site.
The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of community involvement and relationship-building; be comfortable communicating and working closely with people with varying backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives; be able to identify and lead initiatives while simultaneously playing a supporting role in other initiatives; and be able to balance the day-to-day demands of this position with the need to complete long-term substantive projects. You must be able to travel as it is a necessary part of the job. Experience providing legal training, particularly on federal sentencing issues, is preferred. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including an FBI names and fingerprint check and an IRS tax check.
Salary and Benefits. SRC employees enjoy experience-based salaries. The starting salary is between $80,282 and $197,100 (salary range based on Phoenix locality). SRC also offers generous benefits, including health and life insurance, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit) only. Offer and continuation of employment is subject to the availability of funds.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. SRC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and are committed to fostering a culture of equity, inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect, which are central to SRC’s mission and work. We seek a team member who shares these values, and we embrace the unique perspectives of attorneys from underrepresented and historically marginalized communities. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, height, weight, disability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital or parental status. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment in any personnel decisions or employee interactions.
Apply. Qualified persons should apply via the online application system at https://azfd.acquiretm.com/home.aspx. To be considered for the position(s), applicants need to register at the above web address and create an online profile, or login if you already have a profile. Please follow the prompts to upload a letter of interest, résumé, and a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to carefully analyze a complex sentencing issue. References will be required from candidates selected for an interview. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but no later than May 8, 2026. We may fill current and future positions from this position announcement.
Equal Opportunity Employer. The Federal Public Defender for the District of Arizona is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals from groups underrepresented in national projects within the defender community are encouraged to apply.