Chief Public Defender & Office Leader

Lincoln County; Canton (SD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lincoln County Public Defender Office seeks a chief attorney to lead the office, oversee case handling, and manage staff and resources in service of indigent clients under South Dakota law. The role requires strong leadership, courtroom experience, and a commitment to professional independence and ethics.

The successful candidate will establish policies, supervise attorneys and support personnel, manage workloads and budgets, and collaborate with County officials and other justice-system

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law before the Supreme Court of South Dakota and active membership in good standing at appointment.
• Significant criminal-law and litigation experience, including meaningful criminal-defense experience, sufficient to demonstrate competency to counsel and defend persons charged with crimes as required by SDCL 7-16A-5.
• Demonstrated courtroom and trial experience.
• Demonstrated leadership, judgment, communication, and organizational abilities necessary to administer a professional legal office.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief attorney and administrative head of the Public Defender Office; establish its organizational structure, policies, procedures, and strategic direction.
• Develop and administer systems for case assignment, workload management, supervision, conflicts of interest, client communication, records, confidentiality, technology, and operations.
• Recruit and supervise attorneys and staff; mentor, evaluate performance, and ensure ethical compliance.
• Manage budget, resources, and interagency relationships to provide effective representation.

Skills

Leadership

Advocacy

Management

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor

Bar Admission (SD)

Job description

The Lincoln County Public Defender Office seeks a chief attorney to lead the office, oversee case handling, and manage staff and resources in service of indigent clients under South Dakota law. The role requires strong leadership, courtroom experience, and a commitment to professional independence and ethics.

The successful candidate will establish policies, supervise attorneys and support personnel, manage workloads and budgets, and collaborate with County officials and other justice-system