Assistant Public Defender

North Carolina Courts; North Carolina; On-site; USD 56,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

North Carolina Courts seeks an Assistant Public Defender to represent clients in superior and district court, child support, juvenile matters, and parental representation. The role requires a JD and active North Carolina license, with responsibilities spanning trial advocacy and strategic litigation planning.

You will develop litigation strategies, conduct witness examinations, and present opening statements and closing arguments to protect clients’ rights in various court settings.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA‑accredited law school and an active North Carolina license to practice law.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in superior court, district court, child support, juvenile, and parental representation.
• Prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations and evidentiary proceedings.
• Deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and handle objections clearly.

Skills

Strong communication

Writing

Interviewing

Organization

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA accredited)

Job description

Assistant Public Defender# State of North Carolina Careers## Assistant Public DefenderApply: Rockingham County, NC: Caswell County, NC: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: November 19, 2026 (14 days left to apply): JR-127770**Agency**Indigent Defense Services**Division**Indigent Defense Services**Job Classification Title**Assistant Public Defender (NS)**Position Number**65044027**Grade**30013288**About Us**DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.**Description of Work****Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences****SALARY RANGE: $56,000.00 - $104,000.00** The Office of the Public Defender, District 22, Caswell and Rockingham counties, is seeking a qualified individual to serve as an Assistant Public Defender. The selected candidates will be required to represent clients in superior court, district court, child support, juvenile, and parental representation. ## **Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:** **Knowledge of:** Federal, State, common and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, regulatory and common law; NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; and legal research methods. **Skills in:** strong communication, writing, interviewing, and organization. **Ability to:** analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents 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. ## **Supplemental and Contact Information:****INSTRUCTIONS:** Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will **not** be accepted. Before applying, please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings. It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications. **\\*NOTE\\*** Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application *before* submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted. *All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.*The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility. Charmaine J. Leeks NC Administrative Office of the Courts Human Resources Division https://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/careers **Minimum Education and Experience**Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.## **Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:** Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina. **Attach cover letter and resume.** **EEO Statement**The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.**Recruiter:**Charmaine James Leeks**Email:**[e-mail]