Assistant Public Defender Position Description

Pd20; Florida; On-site; USD 74,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement

Time Away

Professional Development

Job summary

The Law Offices of the Public Defender for the 20th Judicial Circuit invites applications for an Assistant Public Defender in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and LaBelle. You will defend clients, prepare cases, advise on legal strategies, and work with a team dedicated to justice and public service.

Applicants must have a JD, be committed to ethics and professionalism, and possess strong communication and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• JD required for eligibility to practice law
• Strong ethics and professionalism
• Excellent communication and analytical abilities

Responsibilities

• Represent clients charged with criminal offenses with professionalism and dedication
• Manage and prepare criminal cases from start to finish
• Advise clients on plea negotiations, strategies, and rights
• Build relationships with clients, families, witnesses, and court staff
• Collaborate with investigators, interns, and support staff
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development
• Uphold agency policies and model integrity at all times

Skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Join Our Team as an Assistant Public Defender

Make a Difference. Build Your Career. Serve Your Community.

Are you driven by purpose? Are you ready to use your legal skills to stand up for justice and advocate for those who need it most?

At the Law Offices of the Public Defender for the 20th Judicial Circuit, you’ll perform essential legal work while growing in a supportive, collaborative, technology-first, mission-focused environment.

We are now accepting applications for Assistant Public Defenders in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and LaBelle.

As an Assistant Public Defender, you will play a vital role in protecting constitutional rights and ensuring equal access to justice. You’ll receive comprehensive training, mentorship from experienced attorneys, and opportunities for professional advancement – all while serving your community in a meaningful way.

This is more than a job.
It’s a career with purpose.

Southwest Florida offers a compelling blend of meaningful work and an exceptional quality of life, giving you the chance to build a purposeful career while enjoying a warm, welcoming coastal community. The region features relaxed coastal dining with family-friendly eateries and outdoor seating options that make it easy to unwind after work; engaging, family-oriented environments with hands-on learning spaces, cultural experiences, and kid-friendly recreational opportunities that support a balanced home life and year-round outdoor living, supported by Gulf Coast beaches, natural preserves, and abundant opportunities to enjoy the sunshine and scenery that make this area one of Florida’s most desirable places to live.

Highlights of Southwest Florida

• Year-round sunshine and outdoor living with beaches, nature preserves, and scenic coastal environments that encourage work-life balance
• Coastal dining and relaxed family-friendly restaurants offering fresh, coastal-inspired cuisine in welcoming settings
• Family-focused lifestyle with educational spaces, recreational environments, and kid-friendly community areas

What You’ll Do

• Represent clients charged with criminal offenses with professionalism, empathy, and dedication
• Manage and prepare criminal cases from start to finish
• Advise clients on plea negotiations, legal strategies, rights, and sentencing options
• Build relationships with clients, families, witnesses, and court staff
• Work collaboratively with investigators, interns, experts, and support staff
• Participate in ongoing training, workshops, and professional development
• Uphold agency policies and model integrity at all times

What You’ll Bring

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree
• Applicants awaiting Bar results or planning to take the exam are encouraged to apply!
• Commitment to professionalism, ethics, and public service
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills

Total Annual Compensation: $103,932

Job Type: Full Time
Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Starting Salary: $74,000 – $77,000, depending on experience
Contributions estimated based on single coverage

Benefits That Support You

Retirement

• FRS Investment Plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Time Away

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays

Professional Development

• Tuition Waiver Program
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Opportunities
• Meaningful Courtroom experience and professional growth