Chief Attorney

Fayette County Public Defender Corp.; Fayetteville (WV); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fayette County Public Defender Office seeks a Chief Public Defender to lead the office, oversee legal services for indigent defendants, and ensure compliance with state bar requirements.

The role requires JD degree and WV Bar license, with at least five years in criminal defense or equivalent, and entails maintaining licensure, managing staff, reviewing financials, and ensuring a full caseload.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Juris Doctor degree and be licensed to practice in West Virginia.
• Five years of experience in criminal defense or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Public Defender Office and oversee staff.
• Review financial affidavits, invoices, and financial statements.
• Sign checks and supervise the attorneys representing clients.
• Maintain a full caseload and mediate client and counsel disputes.

Skills

Criminal defense experience

Education

Juris Doctor degree

License with the State Bar of West Virginia

Job description

Opening for Chief Public Defender (annual salary, plus medical and retirement benefits, annual and sick leave.)

Required:

• Juris Doctor degree and license with the State Bar of West Virginia.
• A minimum of five years experience in the practice of criminal defense or the equivalent is preferred.

Requirements:

• Must maintain State Bar of West Virginia license throughout employment at the office's expense.
• May not practice law in the State of West Virginia for any other client except the Fayette County Public Defenders Office.
• Must not serve as an advisor or consultant on legal matters to any other entity, public or private, or be a party to any other indigent defense contract.

Duties:

• The Chief Public Defender manages the Public Defender Office, rules on financial affidavits from defendants.
• Oversees annual and sick leave reporting, reviews invoices, executes checks and signs financial statements.
• Supervise staff and all Assistant Public Defenders and mediate any disagreements between clients and their counsel.
• Maintain a full caseload.