Assistant Public Defender — Impactful Trial Advocacy

Florida Department of Financial Services; Florida; On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Participation in Florida State retirement system

Health, hospitalization, life, and disability insurance coverage

Paid travel to continuing education seminars

Job summary

The Florida Department of Financial Services is seeking an Assistant Public Defender for the 1st Circuit. The role involves providing legal representation for defendants who cannot afford counsel, conducting investigations, and representing clients at trial.

Qualified candidates must be licensed attorneys in Florida with strong advocacy skills. The position offers a salary starting at $70,000 annually, along with health insurance and participation in the Florida State retirement system.

Qualifications

• Licensed attorney in Florida.
• Good standing members of the Florida Bar, or candidates sitting for the next Florida Bar exam.
• Strong trial experience or a desire to gain trial experience.
• Excellent communication, research, and advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and representation to defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford counsel.
• Conduct investigations, research case law, and prepare legal strategies.
• Represent defendants at trial.

Skills

Strong trial experience or a desire to gain trial experience

Excellent communication skills

Research skills

Advocacy skills

Education

Licensed attorney in Florida

Good standing members of the Florida Bar

Job description

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PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 1ST CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21010162

Date: Sep 22, 2026

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website .

Requisition No:876798

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 1ST CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER - 21010162

Agency: Office of the Public Defender, First Circuit

How to Apply: Use People First on-line system. Attach resume.

Position: Attorney (Assistant Public Defender)

Salary: Based Upon Experience (minimum $70,000.00 annually and a generous benefits package)

DESCRIPTION:

Immediate Hire. Office of the Public Defender, First Judicial Circuit has attorney positions open in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Starting salary is $70,000 minimum with higher pay based on experience. All four counties feature beautiful beaches ranked as top 10 across the United States, from 30A all the way west to Pensacola Beach, With many activities to offer including deep gulf water fishing, state park canoeing and camping, great restaurants and so much more, come live your best life where some only vacation. Don’t wait for your retirement years, enjoy all the benefits of living on the Gulf Coast now.

We are hiring misdemeanor and felony attorneys in our offices in the following cities:

• Fort Walton Beach (Okaloosa County)
• Defuniak Springs (Walton County)

This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain trial experience. Our attorneys manage a reasonable caseload, enjoy professional independence, yet receive strong support from our office administration and senior attorneys which allows you to maintain a healthy balance between your personal and professional life. As part of your training, our attorneys belong to the Florida Public Defender Association (FPDA), enjoy paid travel to continuing education seminars hosted by the FPDA and receive CLE credits. Generous benefits include State retirement system and health/hospitalization, life, and disability insurance coverage.

Attorney candidates sitting for the next Florida Bar exam welcome and encouraged to apply. Preference given to members in good standing of the Florida Bar.

The Public Defender's Office has protected the Constitution and the rights of Florida citizens since the landmark Supreme Court case, Gideon v. Wainwright. Our office is responsible for providing legal counsel, when appointed by the Court, to those accused of criminal offenses who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, performing as trial counsel by representing defendants during courtroom proceedings, researching case law, communicating with defendant to determine trial strategy such as cross-examination procedures, witness selection, jury selection, testimony decisions and opening and closing arguments.

Employer has a "harassment-free" workplace policy requiring honesty, confidentiality and professional conduct. All employees must uphold confidentiality requirements of all host software programs. Employees must also practice safe workplace procedures, and follow policies and procedures.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.