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Appellate Defender Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Office of the Appellate Defender

NY · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

The incumbent is responsible for the investigation, preparation, conduct and appeal in various ... May secure the services of experts in various fields to assist in defending indigents; * Seeking ...

Steuben County

IN · On-site

Public Defender - Murder Qualified DEPARTMENT: Public Defender WORK SCHEDULE: As Assigned JOB ... Cooperates with appellate counsel in appellate issues and of matters which may not clearly appear ...

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Appellate Defender information

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an appellate defender?

To thrive as an Appellate Defender, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills. Familiarity with legal research databases (such as Westlaw or LexisNexis), appellate procedure, and case management systems is crucial. Excellent oral advocacy, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly are standout soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are essential for effectively representing clients in appellate courts and ensuring fair legal outcomes.

What is the difference between Appellate Defender vs Public Defender?

AspectAppellate DefenderPublic Defender
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar admission, appellate experienceLaw degree, bar admission, criminal law experience
Work EnvironmentCourts, legal offices, appellate courtsCourts, legal offices, trial and appellate courts
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, legal firms, nonprofit organizationsGovernment agencies, legal firms, nonprofit organizations
Primary FocusHandling appeals, legal research, writing appellate briefsDefending clients at trial and appellate levels

Both Appellate Defenders and Public Defenders work within the criminal justice system, often employed by government agencies. While Public Defenders handle cases at trial and appellate levels, Appellate Defenders specialize in appeals, focusing on legal research and appellate briefs. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in criminal defense law.

What challenges does an appellate defender face when preparing and presenting cases?

Appellate Defenders often encounter challenges such as thoroughly analyzing extensive trial records, identifying viable legal arguments, and keeping up with evolving case law. Crafting persuasive briefs and delivering effective oral arguments require strong research and writing skills, as well as the ability to distill complex legal issues. Additionally, Appellate Defenders must balance a heavy caseload and tight deadlines while collaborating with trial attorneys and clients to ensure all relevant facts and arguments are presented on appeal.

What is an appellate defender?

An Appellate Defender is an attorney who represents individuals appealing criminal convictions or sentences, typically on behalf of those who cannot afford private counsel. They handle legal research, draft appellate briefs, and argue cases before appellate courts, aiming to identify legal errors that may have occurred during the trial process. Appellate Defenders work to ensure that the rights of defendants are protected throughout the appeals process and that the law is applied fairly. Their work can lead to overturned convictions, new trials, or changes in sentencing.
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Appellate Defender jobs near you
Infographic showing various Appellate Defender job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 10% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 2ND CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21006125

MyFlorida

Tallahassee, FL • On-site

$84K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

New

State Of Florida rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 188 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 50 rated states

Job description

Requisition No: 881364 

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 2ND CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21006125

 Pay Plan: Pub.DefndrsJAC

Position Number: 21006125 

Salary:  $84,471.00 

Posting Closing Date: 12/15/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Attorney - Assistant Public Defender - Felony Division

The Work You Will Do:

The Office of the Public Defender, Second Judicial Circuit is seeking qualified applicants for an Assistant Public Defender in the felony trial division.

  • The primary responsibility of assistant public defenders is to provide effective and professional legal representation to people charged with criminal offenses.

 

How You Will Grow:

The Office of the Public Defender provides in-house training opportunities monthly, as well as opportunities to attend seminars and training opportunities offered by the National Association of Public Defense, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Florida Public Defender Association and more.

Pay:

  • Starting salary: $84,471.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctorate;
  • Applicants must be a member of and in good standing with The Florida Bar;
  • Three (3) or more years' experience in criminal defense litigation.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Florida Rules Criminal Procedure, Florida Rules of Evidence, and Florida Criminal Statutes.

Please note:

  • All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
  • Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.

Our Organization and Mission:

The Office of the Public Defender, Second Judicial Circuit provides legal representation for indigent individuals accused of criminal offenses. The Second Judicial Circuit encompasses six Florida counties: Leon, Gadsden, Liberty, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin.

Each fiscal year, the Second Judicial Circuit represents indigent clients in both criminal trial and criminal appeal appointments, equating to nearly 16,500 criminal cases for six (6) Florida counties and over 1,100 cases on appeal for the 32 counties that make up the First District Court of Appeal.

The Office of Public Defender came into existence in 1963 following the United States Supreme Court's landmark decision in Gideon v. Wainwright.  The Court ruled that indigent citizens have the fundamental right to the assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Under the direction of Public Defender Jessica J. Yeary, the office is comprised of dedicated criminal defense attorneys, investigators, social workers, and support staff who work tirelessly to ensure equal justice for all.

 

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

The Office of the Public Defender is not an agency in the State Personnel System, but offers the same benefits as state agencies, including State Group Insurance and participation in the Florida Retirement System. 

The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

  • Annual and Sick Leave benefits.
  • Paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
  • State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and other supplemental insurance options.
  • Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com),
  • Tuition waivers,
  • And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

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