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 newly established Harrisonburg-Rockingham Public Defender Office is seeking experienced and dynamic criminal defense attorneys who will serve our mission of protecting and defending the rights and dignity of clients through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Deputy Public Defender and Senior Assistant Public Defender report to the Chief Public Defender of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Office and are employed at-will.
Duties:
Duties include conducting client and witness interviews, working with staff investigators to investigate cases, filing pretrial motions, and litigating motions. The attorney will be responsible for trying cases in the General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts and identifying appropriate sentencing alternatives for clients. The Deputy and Senior Assistants will serve as role models for client-centered representation and collaborative office culture. These positions will assist the Chief Public Defender in supervising and training attorneys and supporting the defense team by providing direction and guidance for case preparation, trial strategies, client contacts and communications, plea negotiation, appellate practice, and sentencing advocacy.
Additional duties of the Deputy include working with the Chief Public Defender to ensure that attorneys and staff receive appropriate training and continuing education, and to ensure all attorneys receive and maintain certification for court appointments and fully comply with the Standards of Practice for Indigent Defense Counsel. Duties of the Deputy position also include serving as the acting Chief Public Defender in the absence of the Chief Public Defender which will involve submitting input and carefully managing the office budget, and preparing and ensuring all required administrative reports and documentation are timely submitted
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.
Juris Doctor (J.D) and Virginia State Bar admission or eligibility for admission by waiver, extensive criminal litigation experience, comprehensive knowledge of Virginia Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and the Standards of Practice for Indigent Defense Counsel is required.
The qualified applicant will be well-organized and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Teamwork is highly valued in this office, and the qualified applicant will have demonstrated proficiency in working with others as a member of the criminal defense team to achieve successful outcomes for clients.
Applicants must have demonstrated history and proficiency with leadership, management, and mentoring capabilities, and have four (4) or more years of experience as a criminal defense attorney.
Applicants should have experience mentoring new attorneys.
A valid driver’s license and the means to travel to all courts and regional jails is required.
Additional Considerations
Applicants who have familiarity with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham legal landscape and community and its various client resources will be strongly considered.
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