Senior Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior Assistant Public Defender / Senior Trial Attorney - Richmond
Job no: 5109108
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Richmond (City), Virginia
Categories: Law / Judiciary
Title: Senior Assistant Public Defender / Senior Trial Attorney - Richmond
State Role Title: Legal Services Manager I
Hiring Range: $100,225.00 + Local Salary Supplement + State Benefits
Agency: Indigent Defense Commission
Location: RICHMOND 306
Agency Website: www.vadefenders.org
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Virginia Defenders- Indigent Defense Commission (IDC) is excited to announce the opportunity to be on the front lines of what many consider to be the modern-day Civil Rights Movement-criminal justice and justice reform. This is a unique platform to develop and pursue social change and impact the lives of clients. The IDC's Richmond County Public Defender Office is seeking experienced, dynamic criminal defense attorneys to fill a Senior Assistant Public Defender or Senior Trial Attorney position. Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to our mission of protecting and defending the rights and dignity of our clients through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Senior Assistant Public Defender and the Senior Trial Attorney report to the Chief Public Defender of the Richmond Office, and are employed at-will. These positions include a local salary supplement.
Duties:
Duties include conducting client and witness interviews, working with staff investigators to investigate cases, filing and litigating pretrial motions. The Senior Assistant/Senior Trial Attorney is responsible for litigating or assisting others to litigate cases in the General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts, as well as identifying appropriate sentencing alternatives for clients. The Senior Assistant Public Defender will serve as a role model for client-centered representation and collaborative office culture built on candor, trust, and teamwork. The Senior Assistant position includes assisting the Chief Public Defender in supervising, mentoring and training attorneys.
The IDC is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our workforce and staff. We encourage and welcome qualified applicants of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
Minimum Qualifications
Juris Doctor (J.D) and Virginia State Bar admission or eligibility for admission by waiver, extensive criminal litigation experience (including jury trial experience as lead counsel), comprehensive knowledge of Virginia Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and the Standards of Practice for Indigent Defense Counsel are required. The qualified applicant will be well-organized and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. The qualified applicant must be willing and able to file and litigate complex pretrial motions including Brady Motions, Motions to Suppress, and other creative evidentiary and legal motions in the face of opposition from the prosecution and the judges. Teamwork is highly valued in this office, and the qualified applicant will have demonstrated proficiency in working with others as a member of a criminal defense team to achieve successful outcomes for clients.
Senior Assistant applicants must demonstrate a commitment to developing attorneys and staff with a teaching/mentoring mindset and a management approach that aims to create a culture dedicated to client-centered representation, fosters candor between colleagues, and is receptive to constructive criticism and feedback.
The Senior Trial Attorney position may include significant caseload and training responsibility in lieu of formal management responsibility. Strong trial skills are required. The position may include developing training for trial staff and, in a team environment, identifying and preparing case strategies for jury trials and sitting as co-counsel on juries with less experienced attorneys. The qualified applicant for either role should have significant experience as a criminal defense attorney and significant jury trial experience. A valid driver's license and the means to travel to all courts and regional jails is required.
Additional Considerations
Significant and recent experience working in a public defender's office or as a criminal defense attorney representing indigent clients will be strongly considered. Prior experience in a supervisory or leadership role will be strongly considered. Please indicate in your application whether you are interested in the Senior Assistant, Senior Trial role or both.
Special Instructions
Applications for this position require a cover letter and resume. Failure to submit both may disqualify you from further consideration.
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
While creating an account through the state system will save your basic information (please remember your username and password), applications are NOT saved for future openings. We encourage you to apply to any and all of the positions you may be considering within the IDC.
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. IDC uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship.
Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. IDC does not accept "see resume" as a response to any question. Information on the application is the primary source used for screening the position. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants if requested, during the application and/or interview process.
This position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) depending on your type of loan.
Edits cannot be made to the application once you have received a confirmation number. Phone calls are not accepted regarding an inquiry into the status of an application. Please login to the RMS system for status updates.
Contact Information
Name: Ashley Washington
Phone: 804-662-7249
Email: recruiting@vadefenders.org
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Advertised: 07 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 14 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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