Public Defender Service Jobs Near Me

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is seeking an attorney to serve as an Assistant Public Defender in the Appeals & Postconviction (APC) Department.

The APC Department primarily represents adults in the direct appeal of their conviction following a trial. In 2025, nearly every Assistant Public Defender argued a case in the Ohio Supreme Court, and every attorney argued at least one case in one of Ohio's twelve intermediate courts of appeals.

On a case-by-case basis, the APC Department also files postconviction petitions, state and federal writs, and other motions to address deprivations of statutory and constitutional rights. Through this work, the APC Department has obtained new trials, reduced jail terms and prison sentences, and developed caselaw benefiting people throughout Ohio.

As an Assistant Public Defender, you will:

• Manage your own caseload under the supervision of an experienced supervising attorney;

• Review trial records and identify viable appellate claims;

• Work with clients to identify their goals and a strategy to try to achieve them;

• Draft appellate briefs;

• Present oral argument; and

• Travel as necessary to visit clients, review records, and present oral argument.

You will also file postconviction petitions and other pleadings, participate in moot arguments and department trainings, and collaborate with colleagues from across the agency on individual cases and larger-scale projects.

Required Documents 

To apply, please upload and attach a resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Applications without these materials will not be reviewed.

Salary
Compensation for this position is set by the State of Ohio E1 Exempt Pay Schedule and will range from $76,440 to $108,722. Starting pay may vary based on your relevant experience and state procedures. After you start, you move to the next step in the range after 180 days and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.

Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01.

Graduates of law school who are awaiting bar exam or exam results may apply.

Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases.

Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.01.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal, Client Advocacy, Organizing and Planning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication and Analyzation.