ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER I

Fulton County, GA; Georgia; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fulton County's Public Defender's Department seeks an attorney to provide zealous legal representation to indigent clients. The role involves handling cases in court, conducting investigations, and preparing defenses across multiple stages of proceedings.

The ideal candidate holds a Juris Doctorate and a Georgia Bar license, with experience in criminal justice or legal settings. Applicants should be prepared for a demanding docket and contribute to a strong public defense program in Georgia.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree required.
• One year experience in criminal justice or legal setting encouraged.
• Must possess and maintain certification and licensure from the State Bar of Georgia.

Responsibilities

• Represents clients in court at various stages of cases, including arraignments, hearings, sentencing and appeals.
• Investigates and prepares cases for hearings and trials; reviews discovery and evidence.
• Secures mitigating evidence and advises clients on plea options and negotiations.
• Coordinates post-adjudication follow-up and relief; files motions and appeals as needed.
• Keeps clients informed on status and advances case through court processes.

Skills

Criminal law

Court procedures

Legal research

Client advocacy

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

UNCLASSIFIED POSITION

THE ASSIGNMENT IS IN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S DEPARTMENT

Please refrain from attaching personal and identifiable information: Driver’s License, Photo on Resumes, DD214, Vaccination cards, etc

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Juris Doctorate Degree required; supplemented by one year of experience in criminal justice, and or legal. Resumes without personal and identifiable photos are welcome.

Specific License or Certification Required:

Must possess and maintain certification and licensure from the State Bar of Georgia. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities:

Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position. Requires knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal laws; policies and procedures governing assigned courts, and methods and techniques related to the area of assignment.

Veterans’ Preference:

Qualifying veterans will be given preference in the form of a guaranteed invitation to interview for any position to which they applied and have been found to have met the minimum qualifications. Veterans’ preference provides for hiring preference on initial appointment only. To see the full Fulton County Veterans’ Preference Policy and Procedure, please click here.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ACCURACY AND MAKE ALL CORRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTAL BECAUSE ERRORS CAN RESULT IN NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER ALLOCATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT.

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to provide competent and zealous legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients of Fulton County. This classification is distinguished from the series by closely supervised case assignments. Positions in this classification generally perform beginning level professional legal work and may assist in cases of routine complexity.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Represents clients in court at various stages of cases, including arraignments, preliminary and pretrial hearings, probation and sentencing, post-adjudication/post-conviction hearings, appeals or any related courtroom proceedings: negotiates at all stages on behalf of the client; prepares and argues motions; conducts jury selection, makes opening and closing statements, presents evidence, and questions witnesses; and makes appropriate objections and arguments.

Investigates and prepares cases for hearings and trials: reviews discovery; interviews clients in and out of custody; requests and inspects records and evidence; review criminal histories; prepares graphics and exhibits; explores alternative explanations for the alleged incident; follows up on defense leads; identifies and interviews witnesses and alibis; observes crime scenes; subpoenas witnesses and prepares them for trial; prepares clients for trial; determines need for, procures, and interviews expert witnesses; assesses need for psychological/psychiatric evaluation of client; anticipates legal issues; develops defense theory and case strategies.

Represents clients at pre-trial conferences: secures and argues mitigating evidence; negotiates resolutions with assistant district attorneys; and advises clients regarding the acceptance or rejection of plea offers.

Coordinates post-adjudication/disposition/conviction follow-up and relief: secures mitigating evidence for sentencing or restitution; reviews court orders and case plans; files related requests, motions and appeals; advocates for client; and secures additional services for client.

Conducts case research and documentation: researches relevant case law and interprets in relation to the facts of the case; researches the terms, procedures, or science used in other fields that may be relevant to a case; prepares briefs and motions and responses to same; writes case summaries; drafts jury charges; and makes trial notes.

Communicates with, advises, and advocates for indigent clients: develops trusting and supportive attorney-client relationship; explains and advises clients regarding their rights, the investigative and judicial process, and the advisability of alternative courses of action; provides updates regarding case status.

Manages caseload: attends scheduled court appearances; creates new case files, inputs and records case-related data and notes, logs case activities, and closes files; receives and, reviews calendars; and coordinates with court administration, clients, witnesses, experts and others.

Maintains and upgrades knowledge in appropriate legal fields: attends conferences, seminars, meetings and training events relevant to area of expertise; keeps abreast of legal changes; and participates in professional organizations.

Communicates with prosecuting attorneys, judges, investigators, legal support staff, witnesses, experts, translators, client friends and family, probation officers, supervisor, government officials, other employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, present or exchange information, provide legal counsel and interpretation, or resolve problems.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including, police reports, witness statements, laboratory reports, criminal histories, defense motions, and case law updates; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including a variety of motions, orders, letters, notices, petitions, legal briefs, trial summaries, and departmental reports; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

For Applicants With Prior Military Service:

We strongly encourage veterans, prior military and transitioning service members to apply. Many of the competencies and transferable skills developed through military service directly support success in this role, including:

Leadership Under Pressure:

Demonstrates calm decision-making during fast-moving court schedules, client crises, and unexpected case developments; Guides clients through stressful legal situations with clarity and confidence.

Operational Planning & Execution:

Organizes case strategies, deadlines, and courtroom preparation to ensure smooth execution of defense work; Prepares case files, motions, and evidence packets efficiently; Coordinates schedules with investigators, clerks, and court personnel.

Adaptability & Rapid Problem Solving:

Adjusts quickly to new information, last-minute case changes, or unexpected courtroom outcomes; Reworks arguments on the spot based on judge feedback or new evidence; Adapts communication style to meet client needs and comprehension levels.

Team Cohesion & Communication:

Collaborates with attorneys, investigators, social workers, and administrative staff to support unified case strategy; Shares updates clearly to keep the defense team aligned; Communicates legal options to clients in plain, understandable language.

Safety & Risk Awareness:

Identifies legal, ethical, and procedural risks to protect clients’ rights and ensure compliance; Recognizes when clients face safety concerns or need additional support services; Monitors courtroom and client-interaction environments for potential issues.

Technical & Equipment Proficiency:

Uses legal software, case-management systems, and courtroom technology effectively; Manages digital case files, discovery materials, and electronic evidence; Prepares exhibits for virtual or in-person hearings.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization:

Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analysis to determine necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.

Human Interaction:

Requires the ability to provide formal instruction through explanation, demonstration, and/or examination in a structured setting.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization:

Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude:

Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.

Mathematical Aptitude:

Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning:

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

Situational Reasoning:

Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, genetics, age, disability or sexual orientation.