Human Resource Services Department

Thank you for your interest in the position of Assistant Public Defender.  Your completed response to this supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated to determine your qualifications and must be completed properly in order to be given full consideration for the next phase in the selection process.

Responses should be thorough and specific, yet concise and succinct. A lack of adequate detail in the supplemental questions and in your application may result in failure or disqualification for this recruitment. Neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and the ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for a thoroughly completed employment history and supplemental responses.

By selecting yes below, you certify your understanding of the following:

Are you a current, active member, in good standing with the State Bar of California?

Do you possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license?

Do you possess three (3) years of full-time experience in the class of Deputy Public Defender in the Alameda County classified service?

If your answer to the previous question was no, do you possess the equivalent of seven years of increasingly responsible experience as a trial attorney, one year of which must have been in a supervisory or administrative capacity, in the field of criminal law, with a caseload and duties comparable to attorneys working in a metropolitan public defender agency?

If your response to the previous was YES, please provide the following information regarding the employment where you gained this experience:

a. The name of the employer; 

b. The specific dates of your employment with this employer; 

c. The position title(s);

d. A brief description of the duties performed in each position; and

e. If you supervised in this position, the job titles of the staff you supervised, a description of the work your subordinate staff performed, and the length of time each reported to you as their immediate supervisor. 

Please describe your experience serving as counsel in a homicide case or a case where the Death Penalty was sought.

Describe the most controversial and/or complex legal case you have tried.  Explain the obstacles you encountered during the trial and the outcome of the case.

Describe any aspects of your experience that show that you have an aptitude for leadership.  Further describe your specific managerial style or philosophy and what benefits result from this style of philosophy.

Not every desirable attribute of an Assistant Public Defender can be captured in a profile of work experience or professional history.  Use this section to set out, in appropriate narrative detail, any valuable attributes, life experience and special knowledge that you would bring to this position.  You may describe any aspect of your personal or professional background, character, abilities, life experience, or special motivation relevant to your suitability for this position.

 For your entire career, state the number of cases you have tried to verdict in federal or state trial courts.  Please list misdemeanors and felonies separately.

Describe the most controversial and/or complex legal case you have resolved without trial (e.g. dispositive motion, settlement, negotiation).  Explain the obstacles you encountered and the outcome of the case.

For your entire career, list the three most significant matters you have handled as counsel, not included above.  For each matter. provide the case name, type, description of the case or outcome.

List three or more references, providing current addresses and daytime phone numbers.  At least one reference should relate to your current or recent employment.  All of your references should be prepared to discuss you legal ability, work habits, character, and suitability for this position.

The screening panel reserves the right to contact logical references not listed by you in this application.  As indicated on the application form, inquiry may be made of your former employers.  Your present employer will not be contacted without your consent; however, if you still wish your current employer to be considered in support of this application, you must then provide an alternative reference.

The supplemental questions were designed to elicit your experience as it relates to the current recruitment in order to identify the best qualified candidates for this position.  Only the best and most suitably qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral interviews.  By selecting yes below, you certify your understanding that all applicants who meet minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to move forward in the process.  Do you understand the above statement?