Mn Public Defender Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $226,460.00 Annually
Location : Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01945
Department: Administrative Services Office
Opening Date: 07/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 4:00 PM Central
Application Requirements
ATTACH COVER LETTER AND RESUME
The State Public Defender is responsible for the executive leadership, administration, and oversight of Minnesota's public defense system. This position directs statewide operations; develops and implements policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives; and ensures compliance with standards adopted by the State Board of Public Defense. The State Public Defender serves at the direction of the State Board of Public Defense and performs additional duties as assigned by the Board and prescribed by the Minnesota Legislature.
The State Board of Public Defense is an independent Minnesota Judicial Branch agency responsible for providing constitutionally required legal representation to indigent clients in district and appellate courts statewide. The Board's mission is to protect individual liberty and advance meaningful criminal justice reform through client-centered, culturally responsive, and high-quality legal representation. The agency operates with an annual budget of approximately $167 million and employs approximately 1,000 staff who provide representation in more than 130,000 cases each year. The Board's strategic priorities include client-centered representation, innovative advocacy, continuous professional development, recruitment and retention of a highly qualified workforce, and collaboration as a full partner within Minnesota's justice system.
The State Public Defender is within the Unclassified Service of the State of Minnesota appointed by the Board of Public Defense for a term of four years commencing July 1st.
Definition/Summary of Duties
Under general direction and approval of the Board of Public Defense, the State Public Defender is responsible for the supervision and administration of the statewide system of public defense.

• Responsible for the supervision and evaluation of the Chief District Public Defenders and Chief Appellate Defender
• Responsible for statewide training employee training program
• Receives and responds to inquiries from the public concerning the activities of the District Public Defender and Appellate Offices
• Serves as a liaison with courts, court administration, and legislature
• Undertakes related additional duties and assignments as required by the Board of Public Defense
• Coordinates with Chief District Public Defenders, Administrative Services Office and Chief Administrator on policy issues and activities.

The State Public Defender, with the approval of the Board, is also responsible for establishing standards for the offices of the appellate and district public defenders. These standards include, but are not limited to:

• Standards needed to maintain and operate an office of public defender including requirements regarding the qualifications, training, and size of the legal and supporting staff;
• Standards for public defender caseloads;
• Standards prescribing minimum qualifications of counsel appointed under the board's authority; and
• Standards ensuring the independent, competent, and efficient representation of clients whose cases present conflicts of interest, in both the trial and appellate courts.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge:

• Considerable knowledge of legal and policy issues affecting public defenders and their clients, on both state and national levels.
• Considerable knowledge of management and operations of public defense programs.
• Considerable knowledge of legislative processes that affect criminal and juvenile law, and affect public defense agencies in Minnesota.

Skills:

• Substantial demonstrated skills in representation of indigent adult and juvenile defendants.
• Substantial demonstrated skills in training attorneys in criminal and juvenile defense.
• Substantial demonstrated skills in public speaking and media relations.
• Considerable skills related to governmental agency management.

Abilities:

• Considerable ability to supervise senior attorneys and Chief Public Defenders.
• Considerable ability to establish effective working relationships with court personnel, legislators, their staff, and the media.
• Considerable ability to plan and evaluate public defender programs and service-delivery strategies.
• Considerable ability to work well with people from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Education and Experience
Minimum Qualifications:

• Admission to the Minnesota state bar; AND
• Seven to ten years of experience practicing in the area of criminal law; Five years of administrative experience including but not limited to budget management, employee and labor relations, and contract management.

The State of Minnesota offers benefits through the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP). Benefits-eligible employees are entitled to the following insurance and pre-tax benefits:
Full time employee and part time employee benefits:
Medical insurance
Single coverage as low as $38.50 a month
Family coverage $262.66 a month
Dental insurance
Single coverage as low as $13.50 a month
Family coverage $55.40 a month
Basic Life insurance
6 week paid Parental Leave (eligible after 1 year of employment)
Retirement Savings
11 paid holidays
2 Floating holidayVacation and sick time along with leave of absence programs
Employee Assistance Program
Optional benefits:
Additional Life insurance for yourself, spouse and children
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Short and long-term disability insurance
Metro Pass
Deferred Compensation plan
Pre-tax expense accounts: dependent care account, medical and dental, transit expense
01
What makes you a strong candidate for the position of State Public Defender?
02
Describe any experience you have working with other agencies (probation, prosecutor, law enforcement, court administration) in the development and implementation of policy, procedures and practices.
03
What have you done in your life so far that demonstrates a commitment to public service?
04
What is your view of the role of public defense in the justice system and how did you arrive at that view?
05
Describe your knowledge of the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
06
Describe your experience working with co-counsel/defense team.
07
Describe your experience with interviewing another person to obtain information.
08
Describe your familiarity with the juvenile and criminal justice systems, and any experience you have with the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.
09
Describe the experience you have working with clients with a psychological, psychiatric and chemical dependency diagnosis.
10
Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics or unprofessional conduct by any court administrative agency, bar association, or other professional group? If so, please provide additional details.
11
What experience do you have working with a diverse community in either volunteer or paid positions? List organizations and job duties.
12
Describe any achievements, actions, or accomplishments that demonstrate your commitment to indigent defense work.
13
If you have published any legal books or articles, please list them and include citations.
14
List any legal or civic honors, prizes, or awards you have received.
15
Describe your experience supervising employees, including the number of staff you supervised.
16
Describe your work with budgets, accounts payable, payroll.
Required Question