Senior Public Defender & Trial Team Leader

Pennington County, SD; Rapid City (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chief Deputy Public Defender at Pennington County Public Defender's Office oversees and mentors a team of public defenders, maintains a substantial caseload, and supports the Director in operations and policy.

The role requires leadership across felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile caseloads, collaboration with courts and other agencies, and ongoing personnel management. A JD, active SD bar admission, and 7+ years of trial experience are required.

Qualifications

• JD from a college of law.
• Admitted or eligible to be admitted to the South Dakota Bar Association.
• Substantial experience supervising and managing staff and/or other attorneys.
• Substantial jury trial experience.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise attorneys in felony, misdemeanor, or juvenile/abuse & neglect courts.
• Assign cases to attorneys.
• Represent clients at all phases of the criminal justice system (appears, arraignments, motions, trials).
• Assist in personnel matters.
• Collaborate with other criminal justice stakeholders to reform the system and pursue grants.
• Other management duties as assigned
• Maintain compliance with county policies and procedures.

Skills

Staff supervision

Jury trial experience

Indigent defense commitment

Leadership in criminal defense

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Admitted to SD Bar

Job description

The Chief Deputy Public Defender at Pennington County Public Defender's Office oversees and mentors a team of public defenders, maintains a substantial caseload, and supports the Director in operations and policy.

The role requires leadership across felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile caseloads, collaboration with courts and other agencies, and ongoing personnel management. A JD, active SD bar admission, and 7+ years of trial experience are required.