Assistant Public Defender 1

The Ohio Public Defender’s Office (OPD) is currently seeking an organized and dedicated attorney to serve as an Assistant Public Defender 1 in our Athens County branch office of our Trial Services division. This individual will work under the supervision of a Senior Assistant Public Defender to primarily represent indigent trial-level clients in the Athens County Municipal, Common Pleas and Juvenile Court.

Under general supervision, the selected candidate will prepare cases for trial and independently try cases, examine witnesses, present legal arguments, and evidence, conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations.

The qualified applicant will have demonstrated knowledge of and litigation experience involving:

Substantive and procedural criminal law
Rules of evidence
Constitutional law applicable to criminal litigation
Issues pertaining to trying a criminal case before a jury

This position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court, post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation.

About the Office of the Ohio Public Defender

The OPD is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

OPD Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
OPD Vision: A Fair Justice System.
OPD Values:

Compassion. We will be mindful of the conditions and experiences that shape those who come to us for help and each other.
Dignity. We will treat all with respect.
Equity. Our work and our office will be free from bias or favoritism towards others and each other.
Integrity. We will act with sound moral character and a dedication to professional and ethical principles for our clients and each other.
Service. We will dedicate ourselves to protecting the rights of indigent individuals, and in doing so will protect the rights afforded to all citizens by the Constitution.
Community. We will foster a collaborative and supportive environment and empower each other in our work protecting the rights of our clients.
OPD Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Our commitment to inclusion is inseparable from our commitment to a fair justice system. We strive to ensure inclusive spaces and services for our staff, our clients and our diverse Ohio community. We recognize that we can best meet our public defense mission by recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. Together, we commit to creating a culture of respect that enacts our values and supports success.*

Benefits of joining the State of Ohio team:

Extensive health benefits for all full- and part-time permanent employees
Guaranteed 10 paid state holidays every year and paid leave accrues each pay period
At least a 14 percent employer contribution to your OPERS pension plan
Employee Tuition Reimbursement programs
Life insurance coverage for all permanent employees
See more at totalrewards.ohio.gov
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 Tamra Meister, ADA Coordinator, at 614-466-5394 or HumanResources@opd.ohio.gov.