Post-Bar Attorney Fellowship – Fall 2027
Position Description
About the Harris County Public Defender’s Office:
The Harris County Public Defender's Office (“HCPDO”) is one of the largest public defender offices in the nation, employing more than 350 professionals, including over 200 attorneys. Our office provides client-centered, holistic representation to individuals accused of criminal offenses in Harris County through interdisciplinary teams that include attorneys, investigators, social workers, mitigation specialists, psychologists, client advocates, paralegals, and administrative professionals. HCPDO is committed to providing high-quality legal representation and advancing excellence in indigent defense through client-centered representation and interdisciplinary advocacy.
Position Overview:
The Harris County Public Defender's Office seeks graduating third-year law students (3Ls), recent law school graduates, and newly licensed Texas attorneys to join the Fall 2027 Post-Bar Attorney Fellowship. Fellows will participate in an intensive, structured training program designed to prepare new attorneys for the practice of indigent criminal defense through classroom instruction, courtroom observation, supervised advocacy, mentorship, and hands-on case experience. Fellows will work under the supervision of experienced public defenders while developing the knowledge, judgment, and advocacy skills necessary to transition into full-time Assistant Public Defender positions.
Purpose of the Fellowship:
The Post-Bar Attorney Fellowship serves as HCPDO's primary hiring pathway for entry-level Assistant Public Defenders. The fellowship is designed to prepare participants for full-time employment through structured training, supervised practice, and mentorship. HCPDO intends for fellows who successfully complete the program, obtain Texas licensure, and demonstrate satisfactory performance to transition into Assistant Public Defender positions, subject to office hiring needs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of experienced Assistant Public Defenders, fellows will:
Participate in and successfully complete the Post-Bar Fellowship Training Program, including classroom instruction, skills-based training, courtroom observation, and supervised advocacy.
Conduct legal research and draft memoranda, motions, briefs, and other legal pleadings.
Assist attorneys with case investigation, discovery review, witness preparation, and defense strategy.
Participate in client interviews, jail visits, and client counseling.
Assist in trial preparation, including organizing exhibits and reviewing evidence.
Participate in court proceedings, including hearings, plea negotiations, and trials, as permitted under applicable law and supervision.
Collaborate with attorneys, investigators, mitigation specialists, social workers, psychologists, client advocates, paralegals, and other interdisciplinary team members.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct and all office policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email [email protected].
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Application Materials:
Applicants must submit
Resume
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Cover Letter
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Cover letters should address:
Why you want to become a public defender.
Educational, professional, volunteer, or lived experiences that have prepared you for this work.
Any additional information you would like the hiring committee to consider.
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Law school transcript (unofficial accepted)
Contact information for at least two (2) professional references
Education and Licensure:
Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications:
Be a third-year law student (3L) enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school and expected to graduate before the anticipated fellowship start date or
Be a recent law school graduate; or
Be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas by the fellowship start date.
Texas Bar Examination Requirement:
Applicants must either:
Be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas by the fellowship start date; or
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Have taken the Texas Bar Examination immediately preceding the fellowship start date and be awaiting results.
Applicants who intend to obtain Texas licensure through UBE score transfer, admission on motion, or another admission pathway after the fellowship begins are not eligible for this fellowship.
Applicants planning to pursue Texas licensure through one of these pathways are encouraged to apply for a future fellowship cohort after they have been admitted to the State Bar of Texas.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
