Assistant Defender II

State-of-Maine; Caribou (ME); On-site; USD 75,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Parental leave

Gym membership reimbursement

Job summary

The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services is seeking an Assistant Defender II in Caribou to provide exemplary representation for indigent defendants. This entry-level to early-career attorney role offers a path to meaningful public service within a state-wide defender office.

Duties include legal research, writing, client interviews, and trial preparation; after bar admission you will handle misdemeanor and selected felony cases with a collaborative defense team. Travel is required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-approved school or be enrolled in the final year of a JD program.
• Licensed to practice law in Maine or sit for the next available bar exam (Admission by Motion requires licensure within 12 months).
• Ability to develop defense strategies and communicate effectively with clients, prosecutors, and judges.

Responsibilities

• Research questions of law to ensure correct legal interpretations.
• Coordinate defense strategies with defendants prior to trial.
• Represent defendants before prosecutors and juries to defend their interests.
• Prepare cases, coordinate testimony with experts, and present to courts to obtain decisions.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Team leadership

Litigation strategy

Analytical thinking

Computer literacy

Effective communication

Education

Juris Doctor degree (ABA-approved)

Tools

Lexis/Nexis

Westlaw

Job description

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State..Maine Commission on Public Defense ServicesOpening Date: October 08, 2026Closing Date: October 23, 2026Grade / Admin Unit: 30 / Professional/TechnicalJob Class Code: 0622Salary: $75,067.20 - $106,163.20/AnnuallyPosition Number: 200025238Location: CaribouCurrently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.DESCRIPTION:The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services is seeking to fill one Assistant Defender II position in the Criminal Division in Caribou. We are looking for a criminal defense lawyer or a law student planning to take the February or July 2027 bar exam who is committed to the mission of providing exemplary representation for people accused of crimes. This is a unique opportunity to join a public defender office that is part of a larger movement in Maine to transform indigent defense.This is an entry level position, but we are looking for individuals who have demonstrated a desire to help the most vulnerable in their communities. This can be through a combination of employment, course work, and internships. The ideal candidate recently completed or will complete all coursework at an ABA accredited law school to receive a JD degree and plans to take the next available bar exam or has recently received their license to practice law. This individual exhibits exceptional planning/organizational skills, is self-directed and comfortable working with their defense team which includes attorneys, investigators, and office administrative staff.Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:Prior to passing the bar exam, you will assist attorneys representing defendants by providing support such as legal research and writing.After being sworn in as a licensed attorney, you will represent indigent criminal defendants in all aspects of their cases vigorously, effectively, ethically, and with integrity.First year attorneys generally being with misdemeanor cases but can quickly begin taking less serious felony cases as appropriate.Conduct client interviews and maintain notes and records of pertinent case facts sufficient to provide proper client representation.Research legal issues and write clear, concise motions.Obtain knowledge of the case through discovery and investigation sufficient to provide advice to clients regarding disposition.Develop a theory of the case that is consistent with the facts and the law.Willing to try appropriate cases.Duties are performed primarily in both office and courtroom settings.Travel is required.REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:Researches questions of law to ensure legal interpretations and subsequent actions are correct.Coordinates defense strategies with defendants to ensure potential issues are addressed prior to trial.Represents defendants before the prosecutors and jury to present and defend their interests.Prepares cases, coordinates testimony with experts, and presents cases before the courts to obtain decisions or opinions from local, state, and appellate courts.Coordinates the execution of legal services with other attorneys to exchange information and prepare for trials and settlements.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.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 or be enrolled in the final year of a Juris Doctor program.LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:Licensed to practice law in the State of Maine or sit for the next available bar exam, or if seeking Admission by Motion, become licensed within 12 months of hire.APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:Please submit a cover letter along with a current resume and three (3) professional references.In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact [e-mail] 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.If you require a paper application, please download and print one HERE.If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.