Assistant Lake County Public Defender - Misdemeanor Division

Oacdl; Painesville (OH); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-the-Job Training and Mentoring

Public Employees Retirement System (OP

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Deferred Compensation

Paid Time Off + Holidays + CE Credits

Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The Lake County Public Defender’s Office in Painesville, Ohio, seeks a full-time attorney to represent indigent clients in its misdemeanor division. You will handle cases at all stages, conduct client interviews, and collaborate with investigators and support staff to protect clients’ rights and pursue zealous advocacy. Required are a J.D.

from an accredited law school and an active Ohio license. The role offers competitive pay starting at $80,000 with standard hours and potential overtime for

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Ohio.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a caseload.
• Commitment to providing quality legal representation to underprivileged individuals.
• Knowledge of criminal law and procedures, evidence and ethics.
• Excellent judgment and interpersonal skills for engaging with clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• representing indigent clients in misdemeanor criminal cases at all stages of the criminal process, including arraignments, discovery, motion hearings, pleas, trials, sentencings and post-sentencing hearings
• conducting client interviews and gather relevant information for case preparation
• reviewing discovery and conducting investigations in conjunction with staff investigator
• researching and analyzing legal issues related to assigned cases
• drafting legal documents for court filings
• negotiating plea agreements with prosecutors when appropriate
• advocating for clients' rights and best interests throughout the legal process
• and working collaboratively with other members of the defense team, including investigators, paralegals, social workers, law clerks and legal interns

Skills

Strong communication

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Caseload management

Indigent defense commitment

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Licensed to practice law in Ohio

Job description

Assistant Lake County Public Defender - Misdemeanor Division

Lake County Public Defender

The Lake County Public Defender’s Office, located in Painesville, Ohio, has an immediate opening for a full-time attorney to represent clients in its misdemeanor division. We represent individuals charged with crimes who cannot afford to hire attorneys. Our mission is to advocate strongly and zealously for these individuals and to ensure that their constitutional rights to due process, fair trial and effective assistance of counsel are protected.

Job responsibilities:

• representing indigent clients in misdemeanor criminal cases at all stages of the criminal process, including arraignments, discovery, motion hearings, pleas, trials, sentencings and post-sentencing hearings
• conducting client interviews and gather relevant information for case preparation
• reviewing discovery and conducting investigations in conjunction with staff investigator
• researching and analyzing legal issues related to assigned cases
• drafting legal documents for court filings
• negotiating plea agreements with prosecutors when appropriate
• advocating for clients' rights and best interests throughout the legal process
• and working collaboratively with other members of the defense team, including investigators, paralegals, social workers, law clerks and legal interns

Experience and Skills:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• licensed to practice law in Ohio
• strong written and verbal communication skills
• legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills
• ability to work independently and manage a caseload effectively
• commitment to providing quality legal representation to underprivileged individuals
• knowledge of criminal law and procedures, evidence and professional responsibility and ethics
• excellent judgment and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and work effectively with clients, office personnel, court personnel, prosecutors, law enforcement, probation officers, social workers and the general public

Pay: The salary varies depending upon the number of years of experience as a criminal defense attorney, but the minimum starting salary is $80,000.

Work Hours: Normally 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, but longer hours may be required with evening or weekend work depending upon status of cases.

Benefits:

• On-the-Job Training and Mentoring
• Retirement through Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
• Health Insurance (includes medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage)
• Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program
• Deferred Compensation
• Paid Time Off via Vacation, Sick, Personal Days and Federal and State Holidays, Continuing Education Credits
• and Loan Forgiveness