The Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services is seeking to fill the District Defender position in the Penobscot/Piscataquis Public Defender Office.
MCILS is an independent commission whose purpose is to provide efficient, high-quality representation to indigent citizens who are entitled to counsel at state expense. The Penobscot/Piscataquis Public Defender Office will be comprised of five employed defenders and three support staff members, with the possibility that additional positions could be added in the future. The ability to telework at times is available.
JOB DUTIES:
The District Defender must have compassion for indigent clients; possess strong communication, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills; have the ability to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize, and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner. This position requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
The District Defender will supervise the five attorneys and three support staff members and will report to the Executive Director. The District Defender will be responsible for coordinating intra-office practice (intake, case flow, case assignments) and may manage an appropriate caseload.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following coursework/training and/or experience).
Law Degree from an accredited Law school and extensive experience in legal practice including experience in a supervisory capacity, criminal defense, and working on technical, analytical, and high-profile cases.
Preference will be given to those with ten (10) years of criminal law experience.
LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class).
Admitted to practice law in Maine and currently registered with the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar.