FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER
MIDDLE and WESTERN DISTRICTS OF LOUISIANA
LAFAYETTE HEADQUARTERS

102 Versailles Boulevard, Suite 816
Lafayette, Louisiana 70501

Cristie Gautreaux Gibbens
Federal Public Defender

Updated Post: July 29, 2026 
Closing Date: Open until filled 

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana is accepting applications 
for an entry level Research & Writing Specialist. The Office of the Federal Public Defender, which has staffed offices 
in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Shreveport, operates under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, 
to provide court-appointed defense services in federal criminal cases to individuals unable to afford counsel. 

Requirements. A Research and Writing Specialist (R&W) is an attorney position. Applicants must be: (1) a graduate 
of an accredited law school and admitted to practice and in good standing before the highest court of a State; (2) 
licensed to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana and the U.S. Fifth 
Circuit by the time of entrance on duty; and (3) licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana, or must become so 
licensed at the earliest opportunity after entrance on duty. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory FBI fingerprint 
check. 

Duties. The primary duties 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 the training and 
continuing legal education and supervision of legal interns as appropriate. 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: an established capacity or clearly demonstrated aptitude for 
excellence in criminal defense practice; a commitment to the representation of indigent accused persons; a reputation for 
personal and professional integrity; strong legal research, word processing, legal analysis and writing skills; an 
established capacity to communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, office staff and court personnel; an 
established capacity to complete assignments timely; and an established capacity to work both independently and 
collaboratively. Experience in handling federal criminal cases including the federal sentencing guidelines is preferred. 

Salary and Benefits. The position is a full-time position with federal benefits and salary commensurate with 
professional experience and qualifications of an applicant, with a salary range from $61,722 (JSP-9, Step 1) to 
$106,437 (JSP-13, Step 1) per annum. Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement, and the Thrift Savings 
Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit). 

Location: The duty station for this position will be located in the Shreveport Office, located at 300 Fannin Street, 
Suite 2199, Shreveport, LA 71101. In the event that a highly qualified candidate outside of the Shreveport area seeks 
this position, the FPD may authorize remote work/telework, provided that routine travel will be required to a 
designated FPD office in either Baton Rouge or Lafayette. 

How to Apply. Qualified persons may apply by sending the following, in one PDF document, to 
christina_chicola@fd.org (1) letter of interest; (2) resume with two professional references familiar with applicant’s 
legal skills; (3) recent writing sample that has not been edited by others; and (4) completed AO78 Application for 
Judicial Employment found here: https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/ao078.pdf 
 

This position is contingent on the availability of federal funding. Only those granted an interview will be contacted. 
No phone calls.