Fellowship Program Criteria

Barry P. Helft Fellowship Program Criteria

The Barry P. Helft Fellow Graduate Legal Assistant [GLA] and/or Attorney Fellow positions are limited­ term appointments in OSPD’s Fellowship Program. Fellows are employed at-will and the total term of employment is two years, subject to funding availability. Under direct supervision from a Supervising Deputy State Public Defender, or a designee, incumbents perform a wide variety of challenging legal work including: (1) providing high quality and effective assistance of counsel to indigent persons who are appealing their criminal convictions in the California Courts of Appeal and/or the California Supreme Court; (2) drafting amicus briefs and/or letters filed by OSPD on matters crucial to the development of criminal law as it relates to indigent defendants; and (3) assisting in developing arguments in support of systemic litigation to address inequities in the criminal justice system. Applicants must be California Bar members, or plan to take the July 2025 Bar exam.

Graduate Legal Assistant:

Working Conditions

The workday for a Barry P. Helft Fellow GLA is typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. However, in meeting court deadlines or other issues, a Barry P. Helft Fellow GLA is expected to work the necessary paid overtime hours in order to get the job done. This may include weekends and holidays. At various phases of the appeal extensive travel may be required. Presently and foreseeable future, due to COVID restrictions, full time teleworking is permitted. Subsequently, OSPD will permit full time teleworking consistent with State policy. Work in the office includes time sitting under fluorescent lighting with enough temperature control and utilizes typical office equipment such as, but not limited to, telecommunications equipment, computers, photocopiers/scanners, and fax machines. Ability to occasionally lift and transport small office equipment. Minimum Requirements: Current eligibility to take The California State Bar examination. (Persons in their last year of law school may compete in the examination but may not be appointed until they have eligibility to take The California State Bar examination.) Salary for Graduate Legal Assistant: Range $4,807 – $5,764

Attorney Fellow:

Working Conditions

The workday for a Barry P. Helft Fellow Attorney is generally eight hours of work, with attorneys expected to be available during core work hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) In meeting court deadlines or other issues, the Attorney is expected to work the necessary hours in order to get the job done. This may include weekends and holidays. At various phases of the appeal extensive travel may be required. Presently and foreseeable future, due to COVID restrictions, full time teleworking is permitted. Subsequently, OSPD will permit full time teleworking consistent with State policy. Work in the office includes time sitting under fluorescent lighting with enough temperature control and utilizes typical office equipment such as, but not limited to, telecommunications equipment, computers, photocopiers/scanners, and fax machines. Ability to occasionally lift and transport small office equipment. Minimum Requirements: Membership in The California State Bar. (Applicants must have active membership in The California State Bar before they will be eligible for appointment.) Salary Range for Attorney: $6,979 – $10,572