Description:
Job Duties:About Us:
A Government Entity is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.
Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
Our Vision: A Fair Justice System.
Our Values: Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Our commitment to inclusion is inseparable from our commitment to a fair justice system. We strive to ensure inclusive spaces and services for our staff, our clients, and Ohio's diverse communities. We are committed to building a work environment where all our team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public. We can best meet our public defense mission through a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace, where employees thrive, our mission is accomplished, and Ohioans are served. #TeamOPD is grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion as we work together to pursue fairness and justice for all people.
About the Position and What You'll Do:
You will serve as an Assistant Public Defender (APD) in the Washington County Office of our Trial Services Division. The Washington County Office is a trial-level office that provides criminal defense representation to clients facing charges in the county who cannot otherwise afford an attorney. You will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and/or felony criminal charges. Note: the position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court and does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation. You will be successful if you thrive in a close-knit team environment and are interested in trial-level work, as well as providing client service in a fast-paced work setting. Eagerness to work with a supervisor to learn the intricacies of the position and provide high-quality representation will serve you well.
Essential duties of this position include but are not limited to:
- Prepare cases for trial
- Try cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel
- Represent clients in community control violations
- Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations
- Examine witnesses
- Present legal arguments and evidence
Note: In the event a candidate demonstrates exceptional qualifications above minimum, they may qualify for a starting salary above step 1.
Please Note: A WRITING SAMPLE AND COVER LETTER MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THIS APPLICATION. Your application will not be considered without a writing sample and cover letter.
The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Tamra Meister, ADA Coordinator, at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.
Qualifications:
The following are the minimum qualifications for this position:
Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01.
Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases.
Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.02.
Job Skills: Attorney/Legal, Customer Focus, Responsiveness, Collaboration, Active Learning
