Attorney I (January 2027)

Metropolitan Public Defender; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 92,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical / Dental / Vision

FSA / HSA

Employer paid Life / STD / LTD / AD&D

401(K) – MPD employer match

PTO and holidays

Mental health days

Sick leave

Job summary

Metropolitan Public Defender in Hillsboro, OR is seeking an Attorney I to start January 2027. The role provides court appointed criminal defense in Multnomah and Washington counties, with a pathway to trial work and post‑trial litigation.

Salary ranges from $92,052.48 to $155,304.24 annually; benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with employer contributions, PTO and mental health days. In‑person, full‑time employment with union affiliation.

Qualifications

• Must be a current member of the Oregon State Bar in good standing.
• Areas of proficiency should include evidence, criminal law, criminal procedure, court procedure, ethics, and collateral consequences.

Responsibilities

• Provide court appointed criminal defense services in Multnomah and Washington counties.
• Review charging instruments, police reports and discovery; meet with clients to learn goals and needs.
• Develop and direct investigation as needed; identify legal issues and research them for court presentation.
• Negotiate with the State and update clients on status of negotiations; litigate issues as necessary, including trials.
• Conduct post‑trial litigation such as sentencing and post‑trial motions (excluding appeals).
• Work with other units to review documents and develop defense strategies in consultation with clients.

Skills

Evidence

Criminal law

Criminal procedure

Court procedure

Ethics

Collateral consequences

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Attorney I (January 2027)

Regular Full Time Professional Hillsboro, OR, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 1149

Salary Range: $92,052.48 To $155,304.24 Annually

MPD has been on the cutting edge of public defense since our inception in 1971. Formed as a non-profit law firm, MPD contracts with the State of Oregon for public defense services. MPD was the first public defender organization under this system. MPD is the largest single provider of trial level public defense services in the state of Oregon, with offices in both Multnomah and Washington counties.

Join our dynamic team and a part of MPD’s commitment to being a leader in public defense which includes not just excellence in client representation but a strong commitment to hiring and developing a professional staff of defenders. For more information on MPD and our work visit: www.mpdlaw.com

MPD is currently searching for Attorney s to join our Multnomah County and Washington County Office s to start in January of 2027 . The Attorney position provides court appointed criminal defense services in both Multnomah and Washington counties in Oregon. Attorneys who are assigned to a trial unit will review charging instruments and police reports and other discovery provided by the State. The attorneys will meet with clients and learn the client’s goals for the representation and any special needs of the client. Attorneys then determine what further investigation to undertake and direct that investigation. Attorneys determine what legal issues need development, researches those issues, and presents them in the appropriate forum. The attorney will negotiate with the State and promptly advise the client of the status of the negotiations. The attorney will litigate any legal issues that are necessary and appropriate, including bringing cases to trial. The attorney will also conduct any post-trial litigation necessary such as sentencing and post-trial motions (excluding appeals.)

Attorneys assigned to other units (specialty courts, juveniles) will also review documents provided by government agencies, discuss them with clients, and develop a strategy for representation in consultation with the client, and then carry out the representation in accordance with that strategy.

Attorneys will conduct their law practice according to all applicable statutes, practice standards, and the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct. Attorneys receive general supervision from the Chief A ttorney.

This position pay s $92,052.48 - $155,304.24 per year . Staff is a member of Union AFSCME Public Defenders Local 3668 after the completion of 6 months evaluation period. This is a full-time exempt position . In addition to compensation, MPD also offers:

• Medical (choice of PPO or HDHP), Dental (choice of PPO Standard or PPO Enhanced) and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Basic Life, STD, LTD and AD&D – 100% employer paid
• 401(K) – MPD contribute s 6% of your annual salary with full vesting after the completion of 5 years of service
• PTO – 24 hours upon hire and accrue monthly to 80 hours and increase to 120 hours starting at 24 months
• 10 paid holidays + 2personal equity days
• 4 Mental Health Days per year
• Sick Leave – 48 hours upon hire and accrues monthly after the completion of six months of employment

Position Qualifications

• Must be a current member of the Oregon State Bar in good standing.
• Areas of proficiency should include evidence, criminal law, criminal procedure, court procedure, ethics, and collateral consequences.

Position Preferences

• Ability to lead by example in the handling of work assignments, as well as in the treatment of staff and others in the criminal justice system.
• Ability to pass background check to access clients and witnesses in correctional facilities (may preclude employees and applicants arrested and jailed) and to testify in court without impeachment (may preclude employees and applicants convicted of certain crimes within the prior 15 years) .
• M aintain s confidentiality of agency records.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• MPD fosters a work environment that is friendly, cooperative, and respectful.
• Work is generally sedentary, in an office setting, courthouse, field location or jail facility.
• There are frequent requirements for some physical activity such as carrying boxes of records weighing up to 10 pounds, stooping to extract records from files, or carrying and setting up display easels in court.
• This is an in-person position.

S pecial C onsiderations :

Staff attorneys may participate only in MPD assigned legal work for compensation during the term of their employment, except for cases obtained prior to employment with the office. Permission from the Executive Director is required to continue representation on prior non-MPD cases and/or to be involved in active representation on a pro bono basis.

Diversity and Inclusion: At MPD , we do not just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for all our staff .

MPD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, military status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or applicable local law.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act:

We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources in advance to request assistance.