Assistant Appellate Defense Attorney

The Utah Indigent Appellate Defense Division, within the Office of Indigent Defense Services, is seeking an appellate defense attorney to join the division who will focus on appeals in adult criminal cases. This is a unique opportunity to join the only statewide appellate office serving indigent people and help ensure that people’s constitutional right to an appeal is protected.

The attorney hired in this role will report to the Chief and Deputy Chief of the Division, but otherwise, be responsible for managing a caseload of approximately 15-18 appeals per year. Work will be primarily remote but the office is located in Salt Lake County with occasional in-person meetings. Travel throughout the state is required. We offer a competitive benefits package. Click here to view a summary of the benefits offered.

Principal Duties:
- Protect clients’ Constitutional rights
- Zealously and compassionately advocate on behalf of clients at every stage of the appellate proceeding
- Prepare adult criminal appeals by conducting legal research, reviewing case files, court records, working with investigators when required, and meeting clients; though cases will primarily be adult criminal appeals, you may also be asked to assist in the preparation of juvenile delinquency and child welfare appeals.
- Be available to edit and review appellate briefs and court documents being filed by other appellate attorneys in the office
- Represent the best interest of the client in all stages of appellate representation; Ensure clients are consistently heard and respected. Be non-judgmental and empathetic of clients who present with challenges and/or barriers
- Be responsible for all aspects of court filings, including appellate briefs and petitions for writ of certiorari, and argue cases to the Utah Court of Appeals and Utah Supreme Court, and if necessary also the district and juvenile courts.
- Help with oversight of adult criminal appeal representation through contractors.
- Assist the Division in the drafting of amicus briefs
- Assist with the development and implementation of training for trial and appellate attorneys around the state in the field of adult criminal, juvenile, and child welfare appeals; criminal law; and criminal procedure.

Why you should join our team:
The Utah Indigent Appellate Defense Division is a fast-paced, dynamic office staffed with a hard-working passionate team with diverse experiences and expertise. Working in this office will give you direct hands-on- experience, and allow you the opportunity to play a critical role in shaping the criminal law of Utah. This is a job with the capacity to grow with your professional skills, capabilities, and commitment.

About the Indigent Appellate Defense Division
IADD’s mission is to protect and defend the rights and dignity of each of our clients through zealous, compassionate, and client-centered advocacy. The Division is statutorily mandated to provide appellate defense services to indigent individuals in third through sixth class counties, in the areas of adult criminal appeals, juvenile delinquency, and child welfare/parental termination. The Division accomplishes this representation in these appeals through its appellate staff attorneys and by contracting with independent appellate attorneys who have been qualified to provide vigorous assistance of counsel in accordance with the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, and article I, section 12 of the Utah Constitution.