Specialized Attorney 4

Chattahoochee Technical College; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) is expanding its Specialized Unit, including three offices in North, Metro, and South, with the Metro Office in Downtown Atlanta. The APD IV will lead high-stakes felony litigation and serve as first-chair in the greater metro area.

Applicants must hold a Juris Doctorate and Georgia bar license, plus substantial trial experience and strong advocacy, research, and client-centered skills. Travel across the Metro region is required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university AND license to practice law in the State of Georgia.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and local criminal laws.
• Experience handling serious felony litigation and courtroom procedures.
• Ability to manage a demanding caseload and maintain professional ethics.

Responsibilities

• Lead trial attorney within the Specialized Unit and first-chair high-level felony litigation.
• Represent clients in court at arraignments, hearings, trials, and appeals; negotiate and argue motions.
• Review discovery, interview clients, and coordinate with witnesses, experts, and court staff.
• Develop defense strategies, prepare briefs, and synthesize legal issues for complex cases.
• Maintain effective communication with clients, prosecutors, judges, and team members.

Skills

Courtroom experience

Trial advocacy

Legal research

Client counseling

Education

Juris Doctorate

Georgia Bar admission

Job description

Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia!

We are the force that drives Georgia!
Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens!
Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career!

Job Title: Specialized Attorney 4

Agency: Georgia Public Defender Council

Job Requisition ID: JR0000004276

Shift: Day (United States of America)

Compensation Details: SALARY COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE

Job Description: APD IV – Specialized Unit, Metro Office

The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) is expanding its Specialized Unit, which handles serious and complex criminal cases statewide, to establish three offices: North, Metro, and South. As part of this expansion, GPDC is seeking an experienced Assistant Public Defender 4 (APD 4) to serve in the Metro Office, located at GPDC’s Central Office in Downtown Atlanta.

The APD IV will serve as a lead trial attorney within the Specialized Unit and will be responsible for first-chairing serious and complex criminal cases throughout the greater metropolitan Atlanta area. This position requires an attorney with substantial courtroom and trial experience who is prepared to assume primary responsibility for high-level felony litigation, from case preparation through trial and resolution.

The APD IV will provide specialized representation across multiple areas, including Clayton, Griffin, DeKalb, Rockdale, Alcovy, and Fulton. The attorney must be able to travel throughout the Metro region and effectively manage a demanding caseload involving serious offenses while maintaining the highest standards of advocacy, professionalism, and client-centered representation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Attends scheduled court appearances; creates new case files, inputs, and records case-related data and notes, logs case activities, and closes files; receives and reviews calendars; and coordinates with court administration, clients, witnesses, experts, and others.
• Represents clients in court at various stages of cases, including arraignments, preliminary and pretrial hearings, probation and sentencing, post-adjudication/post-conviction hearings, appeals or any related courtroom proceedings: negotiates at all stages on behalf of the client; prepares and argues motions; conducts jury selection, makes opening and closing statements, presents evidence, and questions witnesses; and makes appropriate objections and arguments.
• Reviews discovery; interviews clients in and out of custody; requests and inspects records and evidence; review criminal histories; prepares graphics and exhibits; explore alternative explanations for the alleged incident; follows up on defense leads; identifies and interviews witnesses and alibis; observes crime scenes; subpoenas witnesses and prepares them for trial; prepares clients for trial; determines the need for, procures, and interviews expert witnesses; assesses the need for psychological/psychiatric evaluation of client; anticipates legal issues; develops defense theory and case strategies.
• Receives and reviews various documentation, including, police reports, witness statements, laboratory reports, criminal histories, defense motions, and case law updates; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including a variety of motions, orders, letters, notices, petitions, legal briefs, trial summaries, and departmental reports; compiles data for further processing or use in the preparation of department reports, and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.
• Secures mitigating evidence for sentencing or restitution; reviews court orders and case plans; files related requests, motions, and appeals; advocates for the client; and secures additional services for the client. Argues mitigating evidence; negotiates resolutions with assistant district attorneys; and advise clients regarding the acceptance or rejection of plea offers.
• Researches relevant case law and interprets in relation to the facts of the case; researches the terms, procedures, or science used in other fields that may be relevant to a case; prepares briefs and motions and responses to same; writes case summaries; drafts jury charges; and makes trial notes.
• Develops trusting and supportive attorney-client relationship; explains and advises clients regarding their rights, the investigative and judicial process, and the advisability of alternative courses of action; provides updates regarding case status.
• Attends conferences, seminars, meetings, and training events relevant to the area of expertise; keeps abreast of legal changes and participates in professional organizations.
• Communicates with prosecuting attorneys, judges, investigators, legal support staff, witnesses, experts, translators, client friends and family, probation officers, supervisor, government officials, other employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review the status of work, present or exchange information, provide legal counsel and interpretation, or resolve problems.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director

AGENCY QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited college or university AND license to practice law in the State of Georgia.
• Demonstrates the knowledge to conduct case research and documentation.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and local criminal laws.
• Demonstrates the knowledge to investigate and prepare cases for hearings and trials.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the performance of the essential duties and responsibilities to function in the position effectively.
• Makes sound and well-informed decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Effectively manages own time with a high level of initiative in accomplishing tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
• Displays a high level of commitment toward work and a high standard of ethical conduct.

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctorate in a related area from an accredited college or university and license to practice law in the State of Georgia or eligibility to sit for the next Georgia Bar examination followed by Georgia Bar exam passage and licensure to practice law in the State of Georgia within one (1) year of hiring or reciprocity and three (3) years of relevant legal experience; or three (3) years of experience required at the lower-level Attorney 3 (LEP022).

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.
Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.