SPVR ATTNY DISTRICT COURT DIV: DISTRICT VI - MONTGOMERY CO.

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD) seeks an experienced, zealous, and dedicated leader to serve as a Supervising Attorney for the District Court Division in the District VI - Montgomery County office. The Montgomery County office is a large suburban public defender office with more than 60 employees providing client-centered representation to individuals charged with misdemeanors and felonies throughout the various courts in Montgomery County. Montgomery County is a metropolitan jurisdiction that provides representation for thousands of clients each year in a litigation intensive environment opposite a well-resourced police department and prosecutors office. Supervising attorneys for the OPD are directly responsible for the operations of the divisions they lead and for the training and guidance of the staff they supervise.

OPD strives to achieve Justice, Fairness, and Dignity for All. Our employees are committed to the core values of a culture of excellence, client-centered representation, tenacious advocacy, and are united as a team in achieving the OPD’s mission. OPD is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.

STD0023

District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County - Rockville

191 E. Jefferson Street, Third Floor

Rockville, MD 20850

District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County – Silver Spring

8552 Second Avenue, First Floor

Silver Spring, MD 20910

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION

The District Court Supervising Attorney combines their demonstrated dedication to the representation of indigent clients with strong leadership and litigation skills to ensure the highest standard of client-centered representation in a team-oriented environment. The Supervising Attorney is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the District Court Division and supervision of attorneys in that division. The Supervising Attorney is expected to maintain an active and substantial caseload while providing direct and consistent supervision, training, guidance, and support to the attorneys and staff on their team. The Supervising Attorney will be required to interface with the Judiciary, promote community engagement in the County, and work with the leadership team of the district to advance the OPD’s mission and the support the policies, vision and directives of the District Public Defender. This position will be primarily located in the Rockville District Court office, however the Supervising Attorney will be expected to manage and supervise attorneys and staff in both the Rockville and Silver Spring courthouses.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● Reports to the District Public Defender and the Deputy District Public Defender.

● Works closely with the District VI leadership team to maintain a high standard of representation through mentorship, teamwork, training, communication, and accountability.

● Supervises attorneys handling misdemeanor and felony cases in both District and Circuit courts.

● Monitors the attorney caseloads and works with the other District Court Supervising Attorney to create a schedule, manage calendars, and provide logistical support to ensure optimal client outcomes and attorney development.

● Consistently physically present in the office, court, at community events, and at stakeholder meetings to

effectively supervise the team, provide feedback and represent the OPD.

● Actively consults with attorneys on case preparation and trial strategy.

● Ensures positive, consistent, effective and timely communication with clients and responds to client

complaints and concerns regarding matters of the District Court Division; including by visiting clients at jails, prisons and detention facilities.

● Organizes and conducts regular in-house training programs and CLEs.

● Ensures accountability through the regular evaluation of attorney performance.

● Works closely with the Training Division and other Statewide Divisions to ensure effective representation

through the development of relevant policies, practices, and trainings.

● Works collaboratively, professionally and assertively with stakeholders and community partners to support the mission of OPD and the policies, objectives and directives of the District Public Defender.

● Performs other duties as determined by the District Public Defender, Deputy District Public Defender, and the Public Defender.

● Represent clients in all stages of their criminal case including at investigatory stages, bail hearings, motions hearings, trial, and post-trial hearings. 

● Conducts complex legal research and analysis, including regarding changes in laws, pending legislation, procedural rules, and court decisions in preparation for trial and to determine/ anticipate legal problems and propose resolutions.

● Drafts and prepares pleadings, memoranda, briefs, motions, and correspondence for clients.

● Effectively and compassionately communicate with clients, team members, colleagues, and service providers to ensure optimal outcomes for clients. 

● Counsel and advises clients on factual and legal issues.

● Investigate clients’ cases and diligently interface with investigators, social workers, forensic experts and other professionals.

● Negotiates with prosecutors, judges, and other stakeholders to establish agreements to resolve cases favorably for the client.

● Competently and independently manage a full caseload, including all trial preparation, discovery review and pretrial litigation.

● Being available both during and outside of traditional business hours to support client and colleagues as part of a dynamic legal team.

TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

· At least 5 years of criminal litigation experience (3 years jury trial experience preferred).

· Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, communication, supervisory, and management experience or ability.

· Demonstrated commitment to serving marginalized communities, and a clear dedication to challenging

systemic racism, prejudice, and unfairness in the criminal legal system both in court and through participation in community advocacy and outreach events.

· Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. 

· Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds and lived experiences. 

· Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, diverse, and team-oriented environment.

· Demonstrated and consistent professional judgment.

· Exceptional understanding of the Maryland Rules of Evidence, Professional Responsibility, the Criminal Law, and the fundamentals of District Court practice (both conceptually and specifically in this jurisdiction); the ability to teach the same to attorneys of their team.

· Demonstrated commitment to and ability to support, maintain and operate within the chain of command for the District.

· Exceptional organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary to handle a high caseload, and the

management of a large and diverse team of attorneys and staff.

· Ability to obtain clearance to enter detention facilities and other secured areas to visit incarcerated clients.

· Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar of another state.

Salary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State of Maryland employees. Please visit the State of Maryland Employee’s page to review benefit information.

This is a promotion opportunity for current MOPD attorneys at Grade 22 or below. This would be a lateral transfer for MOPD attorneys currently at Grade 23.

Assistant Public Defender, Supervisor: $124,302.00 (Starting at Grade 23: Step 13)

HOW TO APPLY

IF YOU WISH TO BE CONSIDERED, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION AND UPLOAD THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS IN ONE PDF ATTACHMENT THROUGH THE RESUME TAB OF THE MARYLAND STATE GOVERNMENT JOB OPENINGS: (1) A CURRENT RESUME, (2) A COVER LETTER, (3) A LIST OF FOUR PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES, AND (4) A WRITING SAMPLE NO LONGER THAN FIFTEEN (15) PAGES.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  

SECOND ROUND INTERVIEWS WILL BE IN-PERSON.

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, OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS, AND DETENTION FACILITIES 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.