State Public Defender

Alaska Department of Law; Minnesota; On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

State Public Defender – State of Minnesota seeks an executive leader to oversee Minnesota's public defense system. You will direct statewide operations, implement policies, and ensure compliance with standards set by the State Board of Public Defense.

You will supervise district and appellate offices, coordinate with courts and the legislature, and lead statewide training programs while guiding strategic initiatives. The role requires strong legal expertise and senior management experience.

Qualifications

• Bar admission in Minnesota.
• 7–10 years of experience practicing criminal law.
• 5 years of administrative experience including budget, employee relations, and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Chief District Public Defenders and Chief Appellate Defender.
• Lead statewide training programs for staff.
• Respond to inquiries from the public about Defender activities.
• Liaise with courts, court administration, and legislature.
• Undertake duties assigned by the State Board and Legislature.
• Coordinate policy with Chief District Public Defenders and Administrative Services.

Skills

Public speaking

Media relations

Governance & management

Education

Bar admission (Minnesota)

Criminal law experience (7–10 years)

Administrative experience (5+ years)

Job description

State Public Defender – State of Minnesota

Summary

The State Public Defender is responsible for the executive leadership, administration, and oversight of Minnesota's public defense system. This position directs statewide operations, develops and implements policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives, and ensures compliance with standards adopted by the State Board of Public Defense. The State Public Defender serves at the direction of the State Board of Public Defense and performs additional duties as assigned by the Board and prescribed by the Minnesota Legislature.

Summary of Duties

• Supervision and evaluation of the Chief District Public Defenders and Chief Appellate Defender
• Statewide employee training program
• Receives and responds to inquiries from the public concerning the activities of the District Public Defender and Appellate Offices
• Serves as a liaison with courts, court administration, and legislature
• Undertakes related additional duties and assignments as required by the Board
• Coordinates with Chief District Public Defenders, Administrative Services Office, and Chief Administrator on policy issues and activities

Standards

• Standards needed to maintain and operate an office of public defender, including requirements regarding the qualifications, training, and size of the legal and supporting staff
• Standards for public defender caseloads
• Standards prescribing minimum qualifications of counsel appointed under the board's authority
• Standards ensuring the independent, competent, and efficient representation of clients whose cases present conflicts of interest, in both the trial and appellate courts

Knowledge

• Considerable knowledge of legal and policy issues affecting public defenders and their clients, on both state and national levels
• Considerable knowledge of management and operations of public defense programs
• Considerable knowledge of legislative processes that affect criminal and juvenile law, and public defense agencies in Minnesota

Skills

• Substantial demonstrated skills in representation of indigent adult and juvenile defendants
• Substantial demonstrated skills in training attorneys in criminal and juvenile defense
• Substantial demonstrated skills in public speaking and media relations; considerable skills related to governmental agency management

Abilities

• Considerable ability to supervise senior public defense managers
• Considerable ability to establish effective working relationships with court personnel, legislators, staff, and the media
• Considerable ability to plan and evaluate public defender programs and service‑delivery strategies
• Considerable ability to work well with people from diverse racial, cultural, and socio‑economic backgrounds

Education and Experience

• Admission to the Minnesota state bar
• Seven to ten years of experience practicing in the area of criminal law
• Five years of administrative experience, including but not limited to budget management, employee and labor relations, and contract management

EEO: This is an equal opportunity position. EEO4-Officials & Administrators.