Post-Bar Fellowship - Fall

Position: Post-Bar Fellowship - Fall 2026
Position Description

About the Harris County Public Defender's Office

The Harris County Public Defender's Office (HCPDO), established in 2010, is a dynamic public defense office that is becoming one of the largest in the country, with over 300 employees, including more than 200 attorneys. We are a client-centered, holistic public defense office dedicated to fighting for fairness in one of the nation's largest and most complex criminal legal systems. Our interdisciplinary teams, which include attorneys, social workers, investigators, mitigation specialists, and other professionals, provide a wrap-around advocacy that addresses both the case and the person.

HCPDO's work goes beyond individual representation. We are committed to systemic change and community empowerment, advancing justice through participatory defense, immigration advisal, and support for the private bar.

Our core values: client-centered representation, professionalism in advocacy, teamwork, collaboration, community empowerment, and systemic change; guide everything we do.

What We Offer

* Working at HCPDO means joining a collaborative, mission-driven community of advocates who believe in excellence and support one another at every step.

* Extensive Training & Development - Frequent in-house training and CLE's, case reviews, brainstorming sessions, and trial skills workshops (including voir dire and advocacy practice). Attorneys are also supported in attending statewide CLEs and training.

* Mentorship & Built-In Support - Our culture is deeply collaborative: no attorney goes to trial alone. Every trial has a required second chair, ensuring built-in guidance and teamwork.

* Courtroom Experience - Attorneys gain meaningful courtroom exposure early in their careers while benefiting from mentoring and structured training.

* Work-Life Balance - Caseloads are capped, ensuring sustainability and allowing attorneys to provide high-level representation.

* Holistic, Client-Centered Advocacy - Attorneys work alongside investigators, social workers, mitigation specialists, and other professionals to provide comprehensive representation.

* Comprehensive Benefits - As Harris County employees, attorneys receive full benefits, including health, dental, vision, retirement, and paid leave.

Position Overview

The HCPDO seeks third-year law students (3

Ls) graduating in Spring 2026, as well as recent law school graduates, to join our team as Post-Bar Fellows. Applicants must have either completed the Texas Bar Exam or be registered to take it and awaiting results when the fellowship begins. This fellowship offers a unique and immersive opportunity to gain hands-on experience in indigent criminal defense. Fellows begin with HCPDO's 10-week Fellowship Training Bootcamp, a program that combines onboarding, substantive training, courtroom shadowing, and supervised client advocacy.

Through this intensive experience, fellows work alongside experienced public defenders and play an active role in all stages of representation - from case investigation and legal research to client advocacy and trial preparation.

Duties and Responsibilities

* Conduct legal research and draft memoranda, motions, and other pleadings under attorney supervision.

* Assist attorneys in reviewing discovery, investigating cases, and formulating defense strategies.

* Participate in client interviews, jail visits, and witness preparation.

* Organize case files and assist in trial preparation, including reviewing evidence and preparing exhibits.

* Observe and participate in court proceedings, including pre-trial hearings, motions, and plea negotiations.

* Collaborate with attorneys, investigators, and social workers to ensure holistic representation of clients.

* Uphold the mission and values of the HCPDO by ensuring zealous advocacy and ethical representation.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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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

Required Supporting Documents:

* Resume

* Cover Letter

* Must explain why you want to do this work

* Applications without a cover letter will not be considered

* Include lived, educational, or professional experiences that have prepared you for the role

* Add any other information for the hiring committee to consider.

* Law school transcript (an unofficial transcript is acceptable).

* Contact information for at least two professional references.

Education and Experience:

* J.D. from an accredited law school by the fellowship start date.

* Eligible applicants include recent graduates, individuals finishing judicial clerkships or fellowships who plan to transition into public defense, and those eager to start a career in public defense immediately after graduation.

* Applicants must be:

* 3L student or recent…