Defense Counsel (Cleveland County)

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous state paid benefit allowance

Wide choice of insurance plans

Life/Supplemental Life

Job summary

Oklahoma Indigent Defense System in Cleveland County seeks a full-time Defense Counsel to represent indigent clients in state court at the trial level across felony, misdemeanor, juvenile delinquency, traffic and wildlife cases. The role emphasizes zealous advocacy, competent legal advice, and adherence to agency policies.

Applicants should have a Juris Doctorate and be eligible for admission to the Oklahoma Bar. Travel is required as part of the position.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations for non-capital trials.
• Ability to conduct legal research and draft pleadings and memoranda.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Performs case management and maintains complete files of pleadings and orders.
• Communicates with clients about case details, plea negotiations, and post-judgment steps.
• Conducts investigations and gathers evidence per standards and laws.
• Prepares for trial, files pretrial motions, and develops defense strategies with client input.
• Resolves legal issues through research and briefing on motions; performs jury selection prep.
• Provides consultation and support to other attorneys; handles administrative duties.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Oral communication

Attention to detail

Judgment and decision making

Trial procedures

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Posting Title

Defense Counsel (Cleveland County)

Agency: 047 INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM

Supervisory Organization: Okla Indigent Defense System

Job Posting End Date: Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank. Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

Minimum annual salary is $68,700. Salary commensurate with qualifications and agency salary schedule.

Job Description

The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS) is the statewide public defender agency which provides legal representation to indigent clients throughout the State of Oklahoma, with the exception of Oklahoma and Tulsa counties.

OIDS is currently seeking a full-time Defense Counsel in our Non-Capital Trial Division, Cleveland County office.

Basic Purpose

Defense Counsel represent indigent individuals in state court at the trial level in felony, misdemeanor, juvenile delinquency, traffic and wildlife cases; Counsel is also responsible for providing clients with competent legal advice and zealous advocacy at every phase of the criminal trial process.

Typical Functions

• Performs case management activities, this includes maintaining complete and accurate files of all pleadings and orders
• Communicates with client on all aspects of the case, including plea negotiations and post-judgement proceedings, according to agency policy and standards to ensure client can make informed decisions regarding legal representation
• Communicates with client's friends and family to obtain pertinent information without disclosing privileged communication or confidential information
• Conducts independent and expeditious investigations relating to the client’s guilt or innocence and potential sentences
• Collects and maintains evidence acquired through the investigation per established standards and laws
• Prepares for trial by filing pretrial motions; develop plea negotiation strategy based on jurisdictional practices and policies and with client's input; securing assistance from experts; and formulating a defense theory based on information produced through the investigation
• Conducts ongoing legal research to identify new issues and prepare for briefing of argument on motions
• Prepares for jury selection by considering legal challenges to selection procedure and developing questions and challenges to determine if the potential juror is suitable
• Preserves legal error for appellate review on all applicable grounds
• Serves as Co-Counsel as assigned
• Provides consultation, advice, assistance, and support to other attorneys and staff
• Performs administrative duties when asked

Level Descriptor

Positions may be filled at Levels I - VI, depending on candidate experience.

Minimum annual salary is $68,700. Salary commensurate with qualifications and agency salary schedule.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of applicable state and federal laws; applicable regulations for non-capital trials; constitutional law and the Oklahoma constitution; agency policies and procedures; trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; methods and techniques for conducting legal research and writing.
• Skills required include critical thinking; conducting legal research; written and oral communication; Microsoft Office - Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; attention to detail; sound judgment and decision making.
• Abilities required include presenting statements of fact and law; clearly and logically articulate position in written and oral form; analyze, interpret, and apply various laws, rules, regulations, agency policies, and procedures; direct and/or perform independent and difficult research, analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems; conduct legal research on Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, the Oklahoma State Court Network, and printed or internet-based legal resources; meet timelines while following the Oklahoma statutes; and represent the agency in a professional manner.

Education and Experience

Applicants should possess a Juris Doctorate degree, active membership and good standing with the State Bar of Oklahoma, or eligibility for admission. Or applicants should be scheduled to take the Oklahoma Bar Exam.

Special Requirements

Must abide by the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct

Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position.

Benefit Highlights

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums
• Wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations
• Life/Supplemental Life