Entry Level Public Defender Jobs in Springfield, VA

Introduction

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks experienced and\r\nzealous litigators to serve as Assistant Public Defenders in Prince\r\nGeorge's County, Maryland. Assistant Public Defenders combine their\r\ndemonstrated commitment with their strong and zealous litigation skills to\r\nprovide exceptional representation on behalf of their clients. MOPD is\r\ncommitted to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages\r\npeople historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Prince George's office is a large urban public defender's office with\r\napproximately 65+ attorneys and staff. MOPD's vision is for Justice,\r\nFairness, and Dignity for All and we are committed to our core values of a\r\nculture of excellence, client-centered representation, and tenacious advocacy,\r\nand remain united as a team in achieving our mission. At MOPD we use our\r\nlegal education and experience to fight for justice and fairness, no\r\nmatter what and we refuse to remain silent in the midst of human suffering.\r\nOur unique talents, identities, educational backgrounds, and\r\nperspectives guide us in representing our clients. We stand up against\r\nprejudice, systemic racism, and inequity in all of the spaces we occupy.\r\nMOPD seeks candidates who will join us in providing\r\ncompassionate, competent, zealous, and client-centered representation to\r\nall of our clients. Learn more about our mission and commitment to\r\ndiversity, equity, and inclusion.\r\n

GRADE

ASTD20\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

Prince George's County\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION:\r\n\r\nThis position requires a willingness to learn, train, and practice\r\nexceptional trial skills, innovative thinking, investigative skills, and the\r\nability to work as a team in managing an active district court caseload.\r\nAttorneys work in conjunction with social workers, investigators, and core staff\r\nin a team-oriented environment. Attorneys must be able to balance a\r\nclient-centered approach to representation with advocacy to address systemic\r\ninequity and the collateral consequences that lead to deeper system\r\ninvolvement. Positions are available in Prince George's County district courts.\r\nAttorneys may be required to rotate between the district courts depending on\r\nneed.\r\n\r\nDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:\r\n\r\n Passionate and zealous representation of clients at every stage of the\r\ncriminal process.\r\n Ensure clients are consistently heard and respected.\r\n Conducts legal research and analysis including changes in laws,\r\nlegislation, procedural rules, court decisions, and case precedents in\r\npreparation for trial and to determine/anticipate legal problems and propose\r\nresolutions.\r\n Effectively and compassionately communicate with clients, team members,\r\ncolleagues, and service providers to ensure optimal outcomes for clients.\r\n Counsels and advises clients on changes in law, court decisions, and\r\nlegal issues.\r\n Negotiates with prosecutors and other parties to establish agreements\r\nto resolve cases favorably for the client.\r\n Resourcefully manage a full caseload.\r\n Continuously seek professional and personal development through\r\ntrainings, CLEs, and trial skills courses.\r\n Other duties as assigned by the Public Defender.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

CORE COMPETENCIES AND REQUIREMENTS:\r\n\r\n Demonstrated commitment to serving communities who have been pushed to\r\nthe margins.\r\n Clear dedication to upending systemic racism, prejudice, and unfairness\r\nin the criminal justice system.\r\n Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively\r\nwith people from different\r\nbackgrounds and lived experiences.\r\n Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, diverse, team-oriented environment.\r\n Exceptional organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary\r\nto handle a high caseload.\r\n Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar of\r\nanother state.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAttorneys barred in another state must become members of the Maryland Bar\r\nwithin 18 months of their start date with MOPD.\r\n

BENEFITS

SALARY AND BENEFITS:\r\n\r\nSalary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State of\r\nMaryland employees.\r\nThis would be a lateral transfer for any internal candidates applying.\r\n\r\nAssistant Public Defender I-$88,999.00 (Starting at Grade 20: Step 06)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPlease visit the State of Maryland Employee's page to review benefit\r\ninformation.\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO APPLY\r\n\r\nIf you wish to be considered, please click here to fill out the\r\napplication and submit the following items in one PDF attachment through the\r\nMaryland State Government Job Openings Page: (1) a current\r\nresume, (2) a cover letter, (3) a list of four professional references,\r\n(4) writing sample, and (5) transcript (if\r\ngraduated from law school within the past 3 years). \r\n\r\nIncomplete applications will not be considered.\r\n\r\n\r\nAssistant Public Defenders are full-time employees and cannot engage in\r\nthe private practice of law while in this position. MD Code, Criminal Procedure\r\nArt., Section 16-203(d)(2).\r\n\r\nAs a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is\r\nan affirmative action and equal\r\nopportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all\r\nqualified individuals without regard torace, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual\r\norientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic\r\ninformation.\r\n\r\nAll applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors and\r\npossess the ability to completetasks in a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be able to work\r\nin various positions and travel tovarious courtrooms and office environments throughout the state. MOPD is\r\nfurther committed to providingequal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with\r\ndisabilities in employment, itsservices, programs, and activities by modifying or adjusting the job\r\napplication process or the job or workenvironment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or\r\nemployee to enable theapplicant or employee be considered for the position they desire; to\r\nperform the essential functions of theposition in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of\r\nemployment as are enjoyed by othersimilarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the\r\naccommodation imposes an undue hardship.\r\n\r\nApplicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment.\r\nApplicants must have accessto a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a\r\nreasonable accommodation is needed,please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, at\r\n410-767-8503 ortawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.\r\n