About This Role
This full-time Investigator position in the Boston office supports federal public defense teams by thoroughly investigating allegations against clients, engaging in comprehensive fact-finding, conducting mitigation research, and assisting with trial preparation in the federal district court. The role involves zealously defending individuals accused of federal crimes who cannot afford legal representation, from arrest through trial, sentencing, and appeals.
Responsibilities
- Help determine the scope, timing, and direction of fact and mitigation investigations
- Locate, interview, and prepare defense, prosecution, and expert witnesses for testimony
- Investigate client and witness histories, including educational, medical, psychological, familial, and criminal backgrounds
- Locate, retrieve, and analyze relevant materials, discovery records, and case-related documents
- Assist attorneys in pretrial, trial, and sentencing proceedings
- Serve subpoenas, research jury pools, and give sworn testimony
- Write detailed investigative reports
- Manage case databases
- Produce written submissions or sentencing videos to lessen client exposure
- Manage witness travel, coordination, and team collaboration
- Perform additional duties as determined by the Federal Defender or the management team
Requirements
- Be client centered
- Be a U.S. Citizen or be authorized to work in the U.S.
- Have a bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent
- Have at least 3 years of investigative experience in the criminal court system, or a similar system
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Write and speak clearly
- Demonstrate cultural competency and have an interest in working with historically marginalized communities
- Be experienced in using Microsoft Word and online legal research platforms such as Westlaw and LexisNexis
- Be capable of using or learning how to use systems and technologies to improve client outcomes including Microsoft Teams, Adobe Acrobat, Excel, and other technology to review, process, and organize large amounts of information and data
- Be highly organized, attentive to details, and consistently meet deadlines
- Have a history of working well both independently and collaboratively to the benefit of the client
- Have a history of being patient, dignified, respectful, and courteous in the workplace
- Substantial background in progressively responsible investigative duties, including interviewing, report writing, and court testimony
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Deep knowledge of fact investigation
- Proficiency with case-related technologies
- Strong commitment to criminal defense, initiative, resourcefulness, creativity, and empathy
- Self-directed, with good judgment, and comfortable exercising considerable discretion
- Solution oriented and harnesses creativity, dedication, and persistence to overcome challenges
- Comfortable working closely with a diverse set of clients (often in jail and prison settings) and their families
- High standards and wants to see people treated fairly and respectfully, regardless of the allegation or circumstance
- Willingness to work non-traditional hours (nights and weekends) and undergo frequent regional and overnight travel
Nice to have:
- Proficiency/fluency in Spanish
- Experience in capital defense
- Experience in criminal defense in state or federal court
- Experience with Cellebrite and Cellhawk
- Specialized skills in digital forensic evidence and law enforcement surveillance tools
- Specialized skills in accounting, healthcare billing procedures, taxes, audits, or financial crimes
- Experience navigating various types of social or online media
Benefits
- Federal Employees Retirement System
- Thrift Savings Plan (401(k))
- Paid annual and sick leave
- 11 paid federal holidays
- Health, life, disability, long-term care, dental, and vision insurance
Important Details
- Application deadline: Open until filled; priority consideration will be given to applications received by August 28, 2026
Application Process
- Send an email with the subject line “Investigator” and containing a single PDF document with a cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications, a resume with three references, and Form AO-78
- Applicants who apply without submitting all required documents will not be considered
- Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted
- The selected candidate will be subject to a background check and investigation, including fingerprinting, and a subsequent favorable suitability determination for employment
About the Company
The Federal Public Defender Office for the Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island (FPDO) is committed to zealously defending individuals who are accused of committing federal crimes and who cannot afford to hire their own lawyer. The office represents the accused from arrest through trial and sentencing, as well as on appeal, including appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court and on collateral federal habeas corpus review.