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The Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is currently seeking one or two candidates to join its dynamic team as Barry P. Helft Appellate Fellows. Ideal candidates for the Fellow Attorney position will be newly admitted to the California Bar or in their first few years of practice. If you have a commitment to working on behalf of the most marginalized Californians, excellent writing skills, and a willingness to challenge yourself with high-level capital defense appellate work, please join us and help save lives.
Barry P. Helft worked nearly 50 years in the practice of law and spent 25 of those years at OSPD. His name is attached to this fellowship as the embodiment of the vow that OSPD lawyers make to their clients to provide the best representation available. OSPD fulfills that promise by providing the mentorship and training our attorneys need to become the best appellate litigators they can be. Barry made the same promise to each lawyer he trained: Regardless of your skill level when starting at OSPD, you will be a better lawyer when you leave than you were when you started. The goal of this fellowship is to continue to fulfill the promise to the next generation of appellate defenders.
For more information on the Barry P. Helft Appellate Fellowship visit our website.
Please complete the short recruitment survey linked, here.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
OSPD has two regional offices located in Oakland and Sacramento:
- The Oakland office is located downtown in a modern high-rise building near the 12th Street BART station, not to mention a variety of delicious restaurants.
- The Sacramento office is located downtown in a modern high-rise building near SacRT Light Rail stations, Downtown Commons, and plenty of shopping.
Due to the nature of the position, the Fellow is sometimes required to work nights, weekends, and other non-traditional schedules. Absent unusual circumstances, certain duties must be performed in person, such as training, supervision, and visiting detention facilities. The position requires traveling to clients, conferences, meetings, and training events up to 10% of the time and includes occasional overnight travel, up to a week. Travel is primarily by automobile but also includes occasional train, airplane, or public transportation.
Effective July 1, 2025, in response to the budget deficit, the Department of Human Resources (CalHR) has implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee working their assigned work schedule receive a 4.62 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 8 hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through October 31, 2026.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.- ATTORNEY
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details
Department Information
Mission Statement
OSPD's mission is to advocate zealously for the underrepresented, particularly those facing capital sentences, while empowering the broader defense community to ensure effective and equitable representation for all.
Diversity Statement
OSPD is committed to promoting a workplace rooted in the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. We can best serve our clients and stakeholders when we have a diverse staff that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived experiences, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our colleagues.
An inclusive culture improves the quality of our work lives and makes us better advocates for our clients and better colleagues to each other. We are continually growing and are committed to equitable, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory hiring practices.
OSPD encourages applications from all qualified individuals of any race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, and veteran status.
OSPD is recognized by the State Bar of California as a gold tier recipient of the DEI Leadership Seal Program for its ongoing commitment to advancing workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion for all staff through evidence-based actions.
Department Website: http://www.ospd.ca.gov/
Special Requirements
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 1/2/2026Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Other -
- Two professional references.
- Legal Writing Sample – A legal writing sample, preferably including substantive legal analysis, is required. Your sample should be no longer than 10 pages single-spaced or 20 pages double-spaced with 12pt Font.
- A cover letter/statement of interest
Desirable Qualifications
- Knowledge of legal research methods and performing research.
- Knowledge of legal principles and their application.
- Knowledge of the scope and character of California statutory law and the provisions of the California Constitution.
- Knowledge of principles of administrative, constitutional, and criminal law.
- Knowledge of trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence.
- Knowledge of computer programs in an efficient and effective manner.
- Ability to perform research and investigation.
- Ability to analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, and precedents to legal problems.
- Ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form.
- Ability to prepare correspondence and legal memorandums involving the explanation of legal matters.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Ability to develop and maintain good working relations with all levels of staff.
Benefits
The California Department of Human Resources CalHR website
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: http://www.ospd.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Twanna Moore
(916) 322-7043
Twanna.Moore@ospd.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:Jannet Esparza
(916) 322-2676
Jannet.Esparza@ospd.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Attorney Exam/Assessment
You must take and pass the Attorney examination to establish list eligibility before a job offer. Please visit:
Attorney
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
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