Assistant Defender I

Quasi-Independent Agencies; Maine; On-site; USD 102,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Health insurance

Job summary

Maine Commission on Public Defense Services seeks an Assistant Defender I in the Criminal Division to handle cases in Waldo County and other courts, with assignments between Bangor or Ellsworth. Some travel to outlying courts will be required.

The role requires compassion for indigent clients, strong writing and oral advocacy, and the ability to develop litigation strategies, with responsibilities including trial work and timely client contact.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from ABA-approved school.
• Five years of relevant experience preferred.

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 promptly and maintain regular client communication.
• Work independently and collaboratively under the District Defender.

Skills

Communication

Writing ability

Interviewing

Organization

Analytical thinking

Legal research

Team leadership

Lexis/Nexis

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Maine Commission on Public Defense Services Opening Date: September 29, 2026 Closing Date: October 13, 2026 Grade / Admin Unit: 38 / Professional / Technical Job Class Code: 0621 Salary: $102,107.20 - $144,684.80 / Annually Position Number: 146000083 Location: Bangor or Ellsworth

Currently, 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.

• 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.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact [e-mail]

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:

• 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.

About Us

Join Maine State Government and Make a Difference in Your Community If you're looking for a fulfilling career that allows you to serve the public and make a difference, consider working with Maine State Government! Our departments boast an array of professions, including attorneys, biologists, correctional officers, equipment operators, engineers, human resources professionals, information technology experts, law enforcement officers, nurses, park rangers, social workers, and transportation workers. With more than 100 agencies, boards, and offices, Maine State Government is the perfect place to explore various industries and interests. Whether you're interested in finance or forestry, there's an opportunity for you to help make Maine an even better place to live.