Chief Public Defender: Lead Indigent Defense & Courts

State Bar of South Dakota; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 133,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

The Brown County Public Defender Office seeks a Chief Public Defender to lead an office of attorneys and staff. This full-time role involves representing indigent clients in criminal cases and serving on treatment courts.

The Chief will oversee legal defense, hire and evaluate personnel, manage budgets and grants, and engage with judges, prosecutors, and civic groups to promote the public defender program.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Active SD Bar membership or eligibility.
• Strong leadership, litigation, and budgeting skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and provide representation, consultation and advice to indigent defendants in circuit, magistrate and juvenile court proceedings.
• Lead an office of attorneys and staff; supervise hires, evaluations, discipline.
• Allocate resources and manage budget, grants, and reporting.
• Represent the public defender function in meetings with judges, prosecutors, and officials.
• Promote the public defender program and defendants' rights.

Skills

Law knowledge

Investigative tools

Trial proceedings

Computers & software

Legal research & writing

Persuasive arguments

Problem solving

Training & supervision

Oral & written communication

Leadership & budgeting

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Bar admission to SD or eligibility

Job description

The Brown County Public Defender Office seeks a Chief Public Defender to lead an office of attorneys and staff. This full-time role involves representing indigent clients in criminal cases and serving on treatment courts.

The Chief will oversee legal defense, hire and evaluate personnel, manage budgets and grants, and engage with judges, prosecutors, and civic groups to promote the public defender program.