Senior Immigration Public Defender

State-of-Iow; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

IPERS retirement package

Employee assistance program

On-site fitness center

Job summary

Iowa State Public Defender’s Office in Des Moines, Iowa, seeks an attorney to join as Public Defender 3 (Immigration). The role involves representing indigent clients in criminal matters and advising on immigration consequences.

You will collaborate with deputy supervisors and staff to provide high-quality defense. The position requires strong trial advocacy, immigration knowledge, and the ability to train interns and staff.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school and a license to practice law in Iowa.
• Five years of full-time professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution experience, or three years as Public Defender 2 in the state executive branch.

Responsibilities

• Advocates for indigent clients in criminal cases at all stages; appears in court for pre-trial hearings, trials, and sentencing; negotiates plea offers and dispositions.
• Supervises advanced level interns in collaboration with Drake University and University of Iowa.
• Investigates facts, interviews clients and witnesses, conducts discovery, and plans case strategy for trial.
• Advises on immigration consequences, analyzes outcomes, and participates in immigration-informed plea bargaining.

Skills

Criminal trial advocacy

Immigration law

Staff supervision

Witness interviews

Plea negotiations

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Iowa State Public Defender’s Office in Des Moines, Iowa, seeks an attorney to join as Public Defender 3 (Immigration). The role involves representing indigent clients in criminal matters and advising on immigration consequences.

You will collaborate with deputy supervisors and staff to provide high-quality defense. The position requires strong trial advocacy, immigration knowledge, and the ability to train interns and staff.