Entry Level Public Defender Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 876144 

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21007717

 Pay Plan: Pub.DefndrsJAC

Position Number: 21007717 

Salary:  $74,000.00 - $77,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 11/18/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Are you looking for a rewarding role within an organization where you can earn competitive compensation and access a comprehensive benefits package? The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, may be the place for you! The agency is seeking qualified Assistant Public Defender applicants across the 20th Judicial Circuit, including Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and LaBelle.

The work that public defenders do is vitally important. Becoming an Assistant Public Defender would allow you to be involved with the defense of indigent individuals accused of a crime and offers endless opportunities to make a real difference within the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Attorneys at the agency are offered extensive entry-level training, as well as professional development opportunities.

A Florida Bar license is required to be placed in the Assistant Public Defender role. In addition to current Florida Bar members, the agency will interview applicants who are awaiting admission to the Florida Bar, as well as applicants who are registered (or who plan to register) to take Florida Bar examination. These candidates may join the agency, ahead of Bar results, with the goal of becoming a member of the Florida Bar and transitioning to the Assistant Public Defender role thereafter.

Applicants are encouraged to submit an updated resume and cover letter outlining relevant experience and detailing their interest in the agency and the field of criminal defense. In addition, applicants awaiting admission to the Florida Bar should detail the anticipated date of Bar admission and current Certified Legal Intern/FBBE Character & Fitness Clearance status.

To learn more about the Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, visit:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/office-of-the-public-defender-20th-judicial-circuit/ or www.pd20.org.

To learn more about benefits offered to eligible employees, visit: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.  

Please see below for the Assistant Public Defender position description. If you have any questions, please contact the agency's Human Resources Department by emailing employment@pd20.org.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The primary responsibility of Assistant Public Defenders is to provide highly efficient and professional representation to our clients. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Accepting, researching, and preparing each case efficiently and expeditiously.
• Advising and counseling each client regarding plea offers, client's rights and options, strategies, sentencing, appellate rights, etc.
• Establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with each client, family, witness, and court personnel.
• Maintaining open lines of communication with clients and their families, witnesses, and court personnel.
• Involving investigators, interns and other support staff appropriately.
• Seeking assistance from experts appropriate to the case.
• Demonstrating maturity and a professional demeanor at all times.
• Exercising sound judgment to achieve desired results.
• Handling emergency assignments when needed.
• Attending and participating in training seminars, division meetings, and staffing sessions.
• Abiding by all Public Defender policies and procedures outlined in manual and performing other related work as required.

ABILITY TO:

• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients and staff.
• Use correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
• Exhibit sound judgment and good listening skills.
• Handle matters with integrity and confidentiality.
• Plan and prepare reports, correspondence, and charts in a variety of formats.
• Use personal computers and general office equipment.
• Be extremely organized, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Maintain an effective filing system.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously including long- and short-range projects.
• Be flexible in work assignments and processes based upon need.
• Travel to various locations throughout the circuit for assignments and training.
• Effectively utilize Microsoft Word and Outlook.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

Juris Doctorate

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, legal documents and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and transcripts.

REASONING ABILITY

Must be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must be able to evaluate problems, isolate key issues, research and develop alternative solutions.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Florida Driver's license, Florida Bar License Required

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level for this position is moderate.

EQUIPMENT UTILIZED

Personal computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, calculators, cell phones

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: Starting at $74,000 - $77,000 depending on experience

Benefits:

Access to the Florida Retirement System

Health/Dental/Vision/Life insurance

Generous Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Tuition waiver

Employee Assistance Program

Schedule:

Flexible; Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Ability to commute/relocate:

Fort Myers, FL 33901

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Labelle, FL 33935

Naples, FL 34112

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

This position description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees of the Office of the Public Defender are at-will employees. This document does not create employment contract, implied or otherwise, and may be revised or rescinded at any time, due to operational necessity, at the sole discretion of the Public Defender.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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.