ATTORNEY TRAINER

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is seeking a visionary, mission-driven litigator to serve as an Attorney Trainer within our statewide Training Division. 

At MOPD, we provide zealous, client-centered, and constitutionally mandated representation to indigent individuals across Maryland. The Attorney Trainer is instrumental in cultivating our advocacy force. This position designs and delivers high-performance trial advocacy curriculums, provides intensive individualized litigation coaching, and occasionally co-counsels complex cases in the courtroom.

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. OPD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work and welcomes candidates with lived experience in the criminal legal system.

ASTD22

Anne Arundel County (Training Division Headquarters, with frequent statewide travel)

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is seeking an exceptional, forward-thinking litigator and educator to join our statewide Training Division as an Attorney Trainer.

At MOPD, we believe that every client—regardless of their background or financial resources—deserves elite, zealous, and client-centered advocacy. As an Attorney Trainer, you will not just teach the law; you will cultivate the skills, passion, and strategic thinking of our state’s public defenders. This role is a unique hybrid of strategic curriculum design, performance-based courtroom coaching, and direct litigation mentorship.

Operating from our Training Division headquarters with statewide reach, you will directly shape the legal minds defending our communities. You will build and lead high-impact training programs that take new attorneys from their first day of orientation to complex felony trials, using modern adult-learning models and dynamic trial advocacy techniques. If you are a seasoned trial lawyer with a passion for mentorship, a deep commitment to systemic equity, and the desire to empower the next generation of public defenders, this is your opportunity to make a systemic impact on justice in Maryland.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities are divided into the following key programmatic areas:

● Curriculum Design & Instruction: Develop and facilitate MOPD’s foundational and continuing legal education (CLE) programs, including the intensive New Attorney Orientation and core programmatic partnerships like Gideon’s Promise. Design interactive workshops on all stages of litigation: voir dire, opening statements, cross-examinations, and sentencing advocacy.

● Individualized & Coaching; Mentorship: Conduct one-on-one video reviews of attorney mock performances and courtroom trials. Review and provide structured developmental feedback on written advocacy (motions to suppress, sentencing memoranda). Co-counsel complex trials with junior attorneys to provide live, structured courtroom mentorship.

● Evaluation & Quality Assurance: Conduct statewide litigation needs assessments across MOPD’s 12 operational districts. Design and track metrics to evaluate the long-term classroom retention of trial skills.

● Strategic Collaboration & Resource Creation: Partner with District Public Defenders and specialized divisions (e.g., Forensics, Mental Health) to incorporate advanced sciences into general trial defense. Maintain and update the division’s digital trial notebooks, manuals, and templates.

● Administration: Track attendance, manage certification credits, and complete standard agency data reporting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.

Experience: Five (5) years of active criminal defense litigation experience, including extensive experience handling felony trials and complex litigation.

Licensure Requirement:

● Admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Maryland (or admission to the Bar of another state with immediate eligibility for admission under Maryland Out-of-State Attorney rules).

● All licenses must be maintained in active, good standing.

DESIRED/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

● Prior experience as a clinical law professor, trial advocacy instructor, or systematic peer mentor/coach.

● Familiarity with the national standards of public defense practice and client-centered advocacy.

● Demonstrated experience using modern adult learning models (such as performance-based advocacy training).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

● Expert Knowledge: Advanced understanding of Maryland criminal law, rules of evidence, and constitutional procedure (4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments).

● Advanced Litigation Skills: Mastery of courtroom presentation, trial strategy, legal writing, and persuasive storytelling.

● Instructional Skill: Strong ability to deliver constructive, developmental feedback to professional peers and present complex material to diverse audiences.

● Digital Proficiency: Competency with virtual learning environments (Google Meet, Zoom, MS Teams, LMS platforms) and media presentation software.

● Mission Alignment: A deep and active commitment to systemic equity, racial justice, and MOPD’s mission of client-centered representation.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum and selective qualifications will be evaluated based on their education, training, and experience relative to the requirements of the position.

The evaluation process may include:

1. A structured interview panel.

2. A brief teaching/instructional demonstration (conducted virtually or in-person).

3. A review of a submitted writing sample (such as a pretrial motion to suppress or trial brief).

Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related experience, education, and dates of work.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State of Maryland employees.

This would be a lateral transfer for any internal candidates applying.

Assistant Public Defender III - starting at $109,794 (Grade 22, Step 10) 

Please visit the State of Maryland Employee’s page to review benefit information.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit an online application through the State of Maryland job portal. Please ensure you upload the following documents in one single PDF file:

1. A current professional resume.

2. A compelling cover letter detailing your alignment with MOPD’s mission and your approach to employee training.

3. A writing sample such as a pretrial motion to suppress or trial brief.

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 to our 52 offices statewide. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, at 410-767-8503 or

tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.