Assistant Public Defender

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 76,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental/Vision & Life Insurance

Paid time off & holidays

Education & Development Opportunities

Job summary

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is seeking an Assistant Public Defender to join the Trial Services Division in the Ross County Office, with service in Jackson or Ross Counties. The role provides criminal defense to indigent clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges, excluding federal court or post-conviction work.

The APD will work in a collaborative team, learning the position’s intricacies under supervision to ensure high-quality representation in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Admission to Ohio bar is required.
• Prior to federal court representation, admission to practice in that court is necessary.
• Eligibility for certain certifications or temporary licenses may be accepted in lieu of Ohio Bar admission.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cases for trial.
• Try cases as lead or co-counsel.
• Represent clients in community control violations.
• Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations.
• Examine witnesses.
• Present legal arguments and evidence.

Skills

Attorney/Legal

Client Advocacy

Consultation

Building Trust

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Analyzation

Education

Ohio Bar Admission

Job description

Position Description

The Assistant Public Defender (APD) will be headquartered in the Ross County Office of our Trial Services Division. The Assistant Public Defender will serve in the courts of Jackson County or Ross County as a trial-level attorney that provides criminal defense representation to clients who cannot otherwise afford an attorney. The APD position will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges. Note: the position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court and does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation.

The successful APD candidate will thrive in a close-knit team environment and be interested in trial-level work and providing client service in a fast-paced work environment. A successful candidate will also be eager to work with a supervisor to learn the intricacies of the position and succeed in providing high-quality representation.

Essential duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Prepare cases for trial


• Try cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel


• Represent clients in community control violations


• Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations


• Examine witnesses


• Present legal arguments and evidence

Starting pay for this position will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; Candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 6 months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.

FY27 Wages
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Hourly
$36.75 $38.75 $40.87 $43.07 $45.50 $47.95 $49.92 $52.27
Annual
$76,440 $80,660 $85,010 $89,586 $94,640 $99,736 $103,834 $108,722

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the OPD HCM Department at 614-466-5394 or [e-mail].

Benefits

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
Medical Coverage
Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

• Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01. Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases. Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.02.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal; Client Advocacy; Consultation; Building Trust; Verbal Communication; Written Communication; Analyzation

Supplemental Information
Intentional omission of relevant information, falsification, or misrepresentation of information on the application will disqualify the applicant. In addition, such intentional acts are grounds for immediate termination of an employee.

The final candidate tentatively selected for this position will be required to undergo a background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointment. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

This position serves at the pleasure and discretion of the State Public Defender. This position serves in a fiduciary relationship to the State Public Defender and will have an unclassified status per Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (9).

ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.