Entry-Level Public Defender — Indigent Defense (Maine)

Quasi-Independent Agencies; Caribou (ME); On-site; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

12 days sick leave

3+ weeks vacation leave annually

Job summary

Maine Commission on Public Defense Services in Caribou, ME seeks an Assistant Defender II in Criminal Division. The role targets a criminal defense lawyer or a law student planning to take the February or July 2027 bar exams.

The position is entry-level, with a mission to provide exemplary representation for those accused of crimes. Candidate should have completed or be close to completing all law school coursework, ideally from an ABA-accredited institution, and plan to sit for the next bar.

Qualifications

• JD or final-year law student eligible to take next bar exam.
• Entry-level position requiring strong commitment to public defense.
• Experience with indigent defense is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal research and writing support before bar passage.
• Represent indigent defendants after admission to practice.
• Interview clients and maintain case notes.
• Develop case theory and assist with discovery.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Tools

LexisNexis

Westlaw

Job description

Maine Commission on Public Defense Services in Caribou, ME seeks an Assistant Defender II in Criminal Division. The role targets a criminal defense lawyer or a law student planning to take the February or July 2027 bar exams.

The position is entry-level, with a mission to provide exemplary representation for those accused of crimes. Candidate should have completed or be close to completing all law school coursework, ideally from an ABA-accredited institution, and plan to sit for the next bar.