Assistant Public Defender - Lima, OH

State of Ohio; Lima (OH); On-site; USD 49,152 - 69,913; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

Paid time off including 11 paid holidays

Education and Development Opportunities

Public Retirement Systems and Optional Deferred Compensation

Job summary

A state government agency in Ohio is seeking a qualified attorney for the role of Assistant Public Defender. This position involves representing indigent clients facing criminal charges in trial courts. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment and be eager to learn the nuances of client representation. Responsibilities include preparing trial cases, conducting hearings, and ensuring high-quality legal service. Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Admission to Ohio bar required.
• Experience with indigent defense desirable.
• Interest in trial-level work and client service.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Attorney/Legal

Client Advocacy

Analyzation

Attention to Detail

Reasoning

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Education

Admission to Ohio bar

Job description

Overview

Job Description - Assistant Public Defender - Lima, OH (260000M2)

Assistant Public Defender - Lima, OH (260000M2)

Organization

Public Defender Commission

Agency Contact Name and Information: Zachary Wemlinger, [e-mail]

Unposting Date: Ongoing

Primary Location: United States of America-OHIO-Allen County-Lima

Schedule: Full-time

Union: Exempt from Union

Primary Job Skill: Attorney/Legal

Technical Skills: Attorney/Legal, Client Advocacy

Professional Skills: Analyzation, Attention to Detail, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Agency Overview

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.

Our Vision: A Fair Justice System.

Our Values: Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.

We are committed to building a work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness and justice for all people.

Follow OPD on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads | Visit our Website

Job Description

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is seeking a qualified attorney to serve as an Assistant Public Defender (APD) in the Northwest Regional Hub (NWRH) of our Trial Services Division. The NWRH is located in Lima, OH and serves individuals in Allen County, Hardin County, and Putnam County. The APD position will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges in Common Pleas, Municipal, and Juvenile courts within those counties. While, generally, all APDs in our office may represent individuals in all listed courts and jurisdictions, this position will primarily serve in the Allen County Municipal Court. 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 provide high-quality representation.

Responsibilities

• 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

Please submit a writing sample and cover letter with your application. Applications without these attachments will not be reviewed.

Compensation and Pay Progression

The Assistant Public Defender position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s E-1 Pay Range 13. Starting pay will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps provide 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.

FY26 Pay Range — Step 1 to Step 8 (illustrative):

• Step 1: $35.68 hourly
• Step 2: $37.62 hourly
• Step 3: $39.68 hourly
• Step 4: $41.82 hourly
• Step 5: $44.17 hourly
• Step 6: $46.55 hourly
• Step 7: $48.47 hourly
• Step 8: $50.75 hourly

Annual range examples: $74,214 to $105,560

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 us at 614-466-5394 or [e-mail].

Benefits

Why Work for the State of Ohio

• 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 (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; Analyzation; Attention to Detail; Reasoning; Verbal Communication; Written Communication

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.

Final candidates selected for this position will be required to undergo a drug test. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment. Final candidates selected for this position will also be required to undergo a criminal background check and state income tax check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

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 and Drug-Free Workplace

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.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana. This position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), as outlined in the posting.