Public Defender

Munro Footwear Group; Butte (MT); On-site; USD 89,310 - 116,138; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid vacation

Work-life balance

Job summary

The Office of the Public Defender in Montana seeks a qualified Public Defender to represent indigent clients in criminal and related civil matters. The role covers felony and misdemeanor defense, youth court, guardianship and conservatorship issues under Montana law.

Essential duties include court representation, preparing legal documents, factual investigation, client counseling, and collaboration with other attorneys. Travel may be required; telework is not available for full-time positions.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in the Montana State Bar.
• Experience in criminal defense preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in court, hearings, or before government entities, including Montana Supreme Court when necessary.
• Provide legal defense in high-profile or serious cases.
• Prepare findings of fact, conclusions of law, and necessary documents.
• Interviews with parties, witnesses, and experts; assist colleagues during trials.

Skills

Client representation

Courtroom advocacy

Legal research

Indigent defense

Time management

Education

Juris Doctorate

Bar admission in Montana

Tools

Case management system

Job description

Job Description - Public Defender (26141535)

Public Defender – (26141535)

To be considered for OPD positions, applicants must complete and submit their application online, as well as upload any required application materials.

Job Overview

Public Defenders serve as a defense attorney for indigent clients and other persons in criminal and civil cases who are entitled by law to assistance of counsel. Public defenders are expected to exercise professional judgment and render competent legal services for all cases handled by the Office of the Public Defender including: felony and misdemeanor criminal charges; youth court proceedings; involuntary mental health or developmental disability commitments; representing parents and children in dependent/neglect matters; and guardianship or conservatorship proceedings, as described in the Montana Public Defender Act Title 47 https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0470/chapters_index.html . Public Defenders must have a passion, commitment, and willingness to work collaboratively with underprivileged populations to, not only, ensure that needed services are provided, they continually advocate and strive to improve the level of services OPD provides to its clients.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities)

A. Client Representation (95%)

• Represents clients in court, during hearings or before other legal proceedings and government entities; includes cases at the Montana Supreme Court as necessary.
• Provides legal defense in cases that may be high-profile, involve significant liability exposure or death penalty, life in prison.
• Reviews and prepares legal documents including but not limited to opinions, forms, contracts and/or other legal agreements.
• Prepares appropriate findings of fact, conclusions of law, orders after appropriate legal proceedings.
• Prepares evidence, exhibits, and legal documents necessary to litigate cases.
• Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules.
• Identifies and interviews parties, witnesses, and experts involved during the legal proceedings and prepares parties to testify.
• Receives, researches, and responds to questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedure, and/or facilitates a resolution.
• Provides consultation, make recommendations, give appropriate legal advice, settlement negotiations, and/or facilitates legal decisions.
• Provides assistance and/or collaborates with other attorneys during trials and hearings.
• Handles cases with substantial legal precedent as well as analyzes, interprets, and advises about new laws that have no case precedent.
• Serves as a legal advisor across multiple fields of law; may develop expertise in specific fields of law and provide training and guidance as necessary.

B. Other duties as assigned (5%)

• May serve as a principal legal advisor in a specific field of law.
• Attends continuing education trainings as required and necessary.
• May provide office support as requested or as needed.

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position works in a variety of settings such as an office or court, setting and has regular visits to jails, detention centers or mental health facilities. Fluctuation of workload may require more than a 40-hour work week and requires occasional exposure to stressful situations. Attendance of continuing legal education seminars to meet Bar requirements is necessary. Depending on location, travel to attend court, trainings and provide services to clients is common, which could be up to 40% of the time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of legal and court policies, procedures, practices and their application with particular reference to indigent defense.
• State and federal laws, rules and regulations and their judicial interpretation and precedents.
• Familiarity of methods and tactics employed in the defense of legal actions in courts.
• Knowledge of criminal law and the law of criminal procedure and its application in the State of Montana.
• Continuing obligation to stay abreast of changes and developments in the law with legal research; including learning and using the agency endorsed legal research program.
• Knowledge of Titles 40, 41, 45, 46, 47, 53, 61, 87 and Montana Code Annotated; Rules of Evidence, Rules of Appellate Procedures, and other title provisions.
• Classification of mental disorders and the ability to read and understand medical terminology related to mental disorders, developmental disabilities, chemical dependence and alcoholism.
• Ability to work effectively with marginalized populations, who are disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system in Montana.
• Ability to understand and be sensitive to cultural differences that may affect the attorney/client relationship and communications.
• Statutory requirements governing guardianship and conservatorship in the jurisdiction as well as case law and court rules; various types of pleas that may be agreed to; services available to youth, minors; as well as mental health and social services that may be available in the community.
• Skilled in use of standard office equipment, programs and software.
• Strong organization, time management, and oral written communication skills.
• Ability to learn, understand and consistently utilize the agency case management system.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with others.
• Ability to learn and understand the principles and practices of evidence collection.
• Ability to effectively research and analyze documents.
• Able to maintain professionalism when critiqued.
• Ability to discern when to consult with peers to avoid unnecessary research or argument.
• Ability to work independently on arguments with multiple issues.

E‑Verify

This agency participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience)

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
• Membership in the State Bar of Montana.

Preferred

• Previous experience in criminal defense preferred.

Benefits

• Health coverage.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Work/life balance.
• Opportunities and room for professional growth.

Salary

$89,310.00 - $116,138.00 yearly.

Other

Telework Eligible (Full‑time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

(Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, References)

EEO Statement

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application. State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.