Assistant Defender I

State of Maine; Bangor (ME); On-site; USD 102,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

State of Maine's Maine Commission on Public Defense Services seeks an Assistant Defender I to handle cases in Waldo County and other courts. Office location between Bangor or Ellsworth; some travel to outlying courts will be required. The role requires compassion for indigent clients and strong advocacy skills.

The Defender will try cases, handle appeals, and work independently and with a legal team, reporting to the District Defender. Maine license or eligibility is required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-approved school.
• Demonstrated competency in indigent defense.
• Licensed to practice law in Maine or ability to become licensed.
• Background checks may be required.

Responsibilities

• Try cases in the Unified Criminal Docket and handle appeals to the Law Court.
• Serve as second chair on cases with the Assistant Defender II.
• Meet clients in jail and communicate regularly with clients and approved parties.
• Report to the District Defender.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Indigent defense

Legal research

Communication

Writing ability

Case strategy

Negotiation

Team leadership

Litigation

Court filings

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

Lexis/Nexis

Westlaw

Job description

Maine Commission on Public Defense Services Opening Date: September 29, 2026Closing Date: October 13, 2026Grade / Admin Unit: 38 / Professional / TechnicalJob Class Code: 0621Salary: $102,107.20 - $144,684.80 / AnnuallyPosition Number: 146000083Location: Bangor or EllsworthCurrently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

OVERVIEW

The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services is seeking to fill one Assistant Defender I position in the Criminal Division to handle cases in Waldo County and other courts served by the office. Office location to be determined between Bangor or Ellsworth, depending on applicant's location. Some travel to outlying courts will be required.

DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Defender I 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 Assistant Defender I will be responsible for trying cases in the Unified Criminal Docket and handling their own appeals to the Law Court as well as second chair cases with the Assistant Defender II. The Assistant Defender I is expected to see clients in jail in a timely manner and communicate regularly with the client and other approved parties. The Assistant Defender I position will report to the District Defender.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Knowledge of applicable Maine law and legal system.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and protocol.
• Knowledge of litigation and legal counseling methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of advanced investigative techniques.
• Ability to analyze and interpret facts, evidence, and precedents and arrive at logical conclusions.
• Ability to negotiate contracts and settlements.
• Ability to lead and guide a legal team.
• Ability to prepare complex briefs and other legal documents.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to operate a computer within an intelligent workstation including using Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to write clearly and effectively.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved school, demonstrated competency in indigent defense.
• Preference will be given to those with:Five years of relevant experience is preferred.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Licensed or have the ability to become licensed to practice law in the State of Maine.

The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto-"Dirigo" or "I lead"-as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance - Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage - The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. Health Insurance Premium Credit - Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance - The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan - The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement - Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts - Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness - The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program - Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child-including fathers and adoptive parents-receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Voluntary Deferred Compensation - Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
• Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you're looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we'd love to hear from you.

Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you're currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your experience and passion set you apart.