Assistant Public Defender

Cortland County Public Defender's Office; City of Cortland (NY); On-site; USD 103,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low-Deductible Health Insurance

New York State Retirement System

Paid Time Off

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The Cortland County Public Defender's Office seeks dedicated Assistant Public Defenders (Criminal Law) to join our team. Full-time and part-time roles involve representing clients through all stages of criminal proceedings and working with a multidisciplinary team to build robust defenses.

Applicants must hold a license to practice law in New York State; NY Bar admission is encouraged for an Associate position. Generous benefits include health insurance, retirement, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in New York State.
• Candidates admitted to NY Bar encouraged to apply for Associate position.
• Strong research and writing skills required.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients at all stages of criminal proceedings from arraignment to resolution.
• Advocate in Cortland County courts and hearings.
• Collaborate with investigators, case managers, mitigation specialists, and experts to build defenses.
• Conduct legal research and manage litigation strategy.
• Draft and argue pre-trial motions and represent clients at hearings and trials.

Skills

Legal research

Trial advocacy

Courtroom representation

Education

Bar admission in New York State

Job description

ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER (CRIMINAL LAW)

The Cortland County Public Defender's Office is accepting applications for full-time and part-time Assistant Public Defenders (Criminal Law) to join our dedicated team of advocates.

Essential duties:

• As an Assistant Public Defender, you will represent clients at all stages of criminal proceedings, from arraignment through the conclusion of the case.
• Advocating for clients in courtrooms across Cortland County
• Working with specialized professionals including investigators, case managers, mitigation specialists, and other experts to build strong defenses
• Conducting legal research and managing litigation strategy
• Drafting and arguing pre-trial motions
• Representing clients at hearings and trials

Assistant Public Defenders work under the general supervision of the Public Defender with ample opportunity for the exercise of independent professional judgment and collaboration with colleagues.

Possession of a license to practice law in New York State. Candidates for admission to the New York State Bar are encouraged to apply for an Associate Assistant Public Defender position.

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for a full-time position is $102,700 to $118,105. The salary range for a part-time position is $49,882 to $57,365.

Cortland County provides a generous benefits package including Low-Deductible Health Insurance and New York State Retirement System for full and part-time employees and Paid Time Off for full-time employees. Cortland County is a qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Cortland County is a vibrant and welcoming community at the gateway of the Finger Lakes Region, with easy access, and within commutable distance, to Ithaca, Syracuse and Binghamton. Residents and visitors enjoy a thriving local visual and performing arts scene, bustling restaurants and farmer’s markets, and a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, and kayaking.