ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I
3L Hiring For 2024
Recruitment #24-005430-0028
Department | Office of the Public Defender |
---|---|
Date Opened | 8/11/2024 11:59:00 PM |
Filing Deadline | 10/13/2024 11:59:00 PM |
Salary | $78,919.00 - $127,473.00/year |
Employment Type |
Full-Time
|
HR Analyst | Marie Figueroa Ocasio |
Work Location |
Allegany
Anne Arundel Baltimore City Baltimore County Calvert Caroline Carroll Cecil Charles Dorchester Frederick Garrett Harford Howard Kent Montgomery Prince George's Queen Anne's Somerset St. Mary's Talbot Washington County Wicomico Worcester |
Introduction
The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) will be extending a limited number of offers to current third-year law students to join MOPD in trial attorney positions upon admission to the Maryland Bar. MOPD seeks dynamic, dedicated, and client-centered attorneys to serve as Assistant Public Defenders in locations throughout the State of Maryland. Offers will be extended for specific regions of the state and will be extended based on the candidate’s asserted geographic preferences and limitations. We are committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourage people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.
The Maryland Office of the Public Defender is a statewide agency that provides superior representation to indigent clients at all stages of the criminal case including trial, appeal, and eligible post-conviction proceedings. Representation is provided through offices and services at 52 locations statewide with a workforce of approximately 1000 employees. At MOPD, we use our legal education and expertise to fight for justice and fairness, as tenacious advocates we refuse to remain silent amid human suffering. Our unique talents, identities, educational backgrounds, and perspectives guide us in providing superior representation to our clients. We stand firm against prejudice, systemic racism, and inequity in all communities and spaces.
MOPD’s mission focuses on Justice, Fairness, and Dignity for All. Employees are committed to the core values of a culture of excellence, client-centered representation, tenacious advocacy, and function as a team united in achieving MOPD’s mission. Learn more about the mission, public defense and our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
GRADE
LOCATION OF POSITION
Main Purpose of Job
Overview of the Position
Assistant Public Defender combines their demonstrated dedication to the representation of indigent clients with their strong and zealous litigation skills to provide exceptional representation on behalf of all their clients. The attorneys in these positions are expected to work independently in managing active caseloads while simultaneously working in team-oriented environments focused on a client-centered approach to representation. Successful candidates for these positions will begin their employment with MOPD in January 2026.
POSITION DUTIES
Primary Responsibilities
- Zealous representation of indigent defendants charged with misdemeanor criminal and traffic matters.
- Ability to prepare for and manage an active caseload; including, but not limited to the handling of bail review hearings, District Court trials, preliminary hearings, violation of probation hearings, and modification of sentence hearings competently and resourcefully.
- Actively and effectively communicate with clients, their families, trial attorneys, court staff, and opposing counsel.
- Continuously seek professional development through training, continuing legal education, and trial skills courses.
- Other duties as assigned by the State Public Defender.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.
Experience: None
Notes:
1. Candidates shall be an Attorney and admitted to practice law in the State by the Court of Appeals of Maryland, at the time of appointment.
2. The above requirements are set by the Office of the Public Defender in accordance with Criminal Procedure Article, Section 16-203 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in general attorney classification or general attorney specialty codes in the legal and kindred group field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Core Competencies and Requirements
- Demonstrated commitment to serving communities who have been pushed to the margins.
- Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
- Clear dedication to upending systemic racism, prejudice, and unfairness in the criminal justice system.
- Compassion.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds and lived experiences.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, diverse, team-oriented environment.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
- Exceptional organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary to handle a high caseload.
- Some criminal trial experience or exposure is preferred.
- All offers will be contingent on membership in good standing with the Maryland bar by December 2025.
BENEFITS
Salary
Salary is dependent on experience and the State of Maryland salary rules will apply to any offer made.
Assistant Public Defender I: $86,752.00-$127,473.00 (Grade 20: Step 6-Step 26)
Benefits
The Maryland Office of the Public Defender offers a generous benefits package that includes excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance. Benefits also include retirement savings, life insurance, and the option to participate in supplemental retirement options. MOPD Employees receive 6 days of personal leave, 15 days of sick leave, and at least 10 days of annual leave each calendar year in addition to paid holidays, and parental leave.
For more details and a full list of benefits as an employee with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender click here.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
How To Apply
To be considered, you must complete
the online application AND submit the required documents.
When you get to the tab labeled
resume, you should INCLUDE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS in the resume upload in one
PDF. The required documents for this
position are listed below.
1.
A current resume.
2.
A cover letter addressing your qualifications for the
position.
3.
A list of four professional references, please include
your relationship to the reference.
4.
A writing sample.
Incomplete applications will not
be considered.
Individuals selected for an interview will receive an
invitation for a Spark Hire interview invitation.
Assistant
Public Defenders are full-time employees and cannot engage in the private
practice of law while in this position. MD Code, Criminal Procedure Art.,
Section 16-203(d)(2).
As a State
agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative
action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion
of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex,
physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity,
national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.
All
applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors and possess
the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be able to work in various
positions and travel to various courtrooms and office environments throughout
the state. MOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunity and
reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its
services, programs, and activities by modifying or adjusting the job
application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable
accommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or
employee be considered for the position they desire; to perform the essential
functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and
privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees
without disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship.
Applicants
must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment. Applicants must
have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If
a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human
Resources Supervisor, at 410-767-8503 or tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.
Click on a link below to apply for this position:
Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. | Apply Online |
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. | This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here. |
Apply via Paper Application. | You may also download and complete the Paper Application here. |