UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

NORMAN E. ZOLLER
Circuit Executive
56 Forsyth Street, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404/335-6535

PUBLIC NOTICE

REAPPOINTMENT OF INCUMBENT FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER
Northern District of Florida

The current four-year term of Randolph P. Murrell, Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Florida at Tallahassee, expires November 1, 2006. The Federal Public Defender, under authority of 18 USC 3006A(h)(2)(A) provides criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel and supervises a full-time staff of attorneys, administrative, and clerical personnel. In accordance with regulations of the Judicial Conference of the United States and the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit governing the appointment and reappointment of Federal Public Defenders, a review committee has been established to evaluate Mr. Murrell’s performance in consideration of his request to be reappointed to a new four-year term. The Committee is soliciting written comments from members of the bar and concerned citizens on Mr. Murrell’s performance and the performance of his office. Comments should be forwarded in confidence to Norman Zoller, Circuit Executive, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 56 Forsyth Street, NW, Room 304, Atlanta, GA 30303 no later than April 27, 2006.

 

Although Mr. Murrell seeks reappointment, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals does not recognize a presumptive right to reappointment and mandates that this position be advertised anew to the general public. Accordingly, the Court is soliciting applications for this position from qualified persons. The Court encourages applications from all qualified persons, including women, members of minority groups, and individuals with disabilities. All applications, including the incumbent Federal Public Defender’s, will be subjected to the same standard of review. Salary range is $128,700 to $142,900, depending on experience and qualifications.

To qualify for appointment as Federal Public Defender applicants must:

  • be active members in good standing of at least one state bar or the District of Columbia or the Virgin Islands and must be members in good standing of any bar of which they are members;
  • have engaged in the active practice of criminal law for a period of at least five years, preferably with significant federal criminal trial and appellate experience;
  • possess the ability to effectively administer a Federal Public Defender’s office;
  • have a reputation for:
    (1) integrity and good character;
    (2) sound physical and mental health;
    (3) commitment to equal justice under law and vigorous representation of his or her clients;
    (4) outstanding legal ability and competence (evidenced by substantial legal experience, ability to deal with complex legal problems, aptitude for legal scholarship and writing, and familiarity with courts and court processes);
  • have a commitment to the vigorous representation of those unable to afford counsel; and
  • at the time of the initial appointment, not be related by blood or marriage to a judge of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals or to a judge of the district court to be served, within the degree specified in Title 28, United States Code, Section 458.

 

Applications are available at www.ca11.uscourts.gov, from the Clerk of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Clerks of the District Courts of the Eleventh Circuit, and from the Circuit Executive. Applications should be submitted in confidence to the Circuit Executive, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 56 Forsyth Street, NW, Room 304, Atlanta, GA 30303, no later than April 27, 2006.

 

The United States Courts are equal opportunity employers.

To download the application in WordPerfect format, please click here.