Public Defender 2 - Wrongful Convictions Unit

State-of-Iow; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

Flexible Spending Accounts

IPERS Retirement

Retirement Investors Club

Employee Assistance Program

Employee discount programs

Job summary

The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office seeks an attorney to join the Wrongful Convictions Unit in Polk County, Iowa as Public Defender 2. The role focuses on representing indigent clients in serious cases and advancing justice.

You will receive mentorship, opportunities for professional growth, and a comprehensive benefits package as part of a dedicated public service team.

Qualifications

• Must have graduated from an accredited law school and be licensed to practice in Iowa.
• Two years of full-time experience in criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
• Public defense experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for indigent clients in all stages of the criminal justice process.
• Receive mentoring from experienced public defenders to grow skills.
• Represent clients in court at pre-trial, bench or jury trials, and sentencing.
• Prepare defenses, conduct legal research, interview clients and witnesses.
• Conduct pretrial discovery, depositions, and suppression motions.
• Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other dispositions.
• Work with clients to plan case strategy and trial preparation.
• Maintain communication with clients about case status.
• Draft motions, briefs, and related legal documents.
• May direct investigators and manage case files and time reporting.

Skills

Criminal trial advocacy

Legal research

Client interviewing

Education

Graduation from an accredited law school

License to practice law in the State of Iowa

Two years of full-time experience in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution

Job description

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact through public service? The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic attorney to serve as a Public Defender 2 in our Wrongful Convictions Unit office located in Polk County, Iowa.

Who We Are

The mission of the Office of the State Public Defender is to ensure that all indigent persons in Iowa are provided high quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

What You’ll Do

As a Public Defender attorney in this position, you will:

• Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every state of the criminal justice system.
• Receive training and mentoring from dedicated, experienced public defenders in an atmosphere which encourages growth and development of an attorney’s skills and career.
• Represent clients in court at pre-trial hearings, bench or jury trial sentencings and other court hearings.
• Prepare a defense, conducting legal research, gathering facts, and interviewing the client and witnesses to determine the merits of case and appropriate course of action.
• Conduct pretrial discovery, including depositions, withdraw pleas, and suppression motions.
• Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other disposition of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys.
• Work closely with clients, providing and discussing information, plan case strategy and trial preparation.
• Maintain appropriate communication with clients about case status and answering client questions.
• Identify potential legal issues to advance client’s case, research applicable law, and draft appropriate motions and briefs
• Prepare various legal documents, including written arraignments, written guilty pleas, motions, briefs, and letters.
• May direct work of investigators consistent with internal office policies.
• Maintain client case files, prepare public defender time reports to the court, and close files consistent with office policies.

This is a non-merit position for the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing - Public Defender.
Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

What We Offer

When you join the SPD, you become a part of a strong team culture that is committed to serving the community. In addition to providing a respect for work-life balance, we have a competitive total compensation package for all of our full-time employees, including:

• Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
• Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
• Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more)

For additional information on benefits click here.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify,a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Worklaws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Embark on a rewarding career dedicated to public service and make a difference with us!

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited law school, possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa, and experience equal to two years of full-time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
2. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Public Defender 1.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.