Entry Level Attorney District Vi Montgomery County

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks experienced andzealous litigators to serve as

Assistant Public Defenders in Montgomery County Maryland. AssistantPublic Defenders provideexceptional representation to their clientsdemonstrated through skilled litigation tenacious advocacy inand outsideof court and a commitment to client-centered representation. MOPD is committedtocultivating a robust and culturally diverse team and stronglyencourages applicants from all backgroundsto apply including those fromhistorically underrepresented in the practice of law.

The Montgomery County office is a suburban Public Defender office withapproximately 60employeesproviding representation to qualifying individuals incriminal juvenile and some select civil vision ofJustice Fairness and Dignity for All is reflected by our commitment to corevalues of aculture of excellence client-centered representationtenacious advocacy and unity of purpose inachieving our mission. At MOPDwe use our legal education and experience to fight for justiceandfairness and to provide a strong voice to those who have been traditionallymade voiceless in our unique talents identities educationalbackgrounds and perspectives guide us in representing ourclients. Westand up against prejudice systemic racism and inequity in all of the spaceswe seeks candidates who will join us in providingcompassionate competent zealous and client-centered representation to all ofour clients. Refer to the MOPD website to learn more about our mission andcommitment to diversity equity and inclusion.

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION:

This position is for an entry level Assistant Public Defender. Theposition requires a willingness to learn

train and practice exceptional trial skills innovative thinkinginvestigative skills and the ability to work as

a team in managing an active and substantial district court work in conjunction withsocial workers investigators and corestaff in a team-oriented environment to represent must be able to balance a client-centered approach torepresentation with advocacy to addresssystemic inequity and thecollateral consequences that lead to deeper system involvement. Positionsareavailable in Montgomery County district court. Attorneys may be requiredto rotate between the districtcourthouses in Rockville and Silver Springdepending on need.

Being an Assistant Public Defender requires an exceptional level ofdedication to the mission of MOPD

and its clients and involves a substantial commitment of time and effort;applicants should be prepared to

discuss and demonstrate the same.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Passionate and zealous representation of clients at every stage of thelegal process in and outside of

court.

Maintain effective and consistent communication with clients who areincarcerated or in the community

to ensure that individuals we represent are consistently heard andrespected. For clients who are

incarcerated it is expected that attorneys will regularly travel to theplace of incarceration and visit clients

there to engage in substantive discussions of their cases.

Conducts substantive legal research writing and analysis tospecifically include briefing the courts on

changes in laws legislation procedural rules court decisions andother legal precedent in preparation

for hearings and trial.

Coordinate and compassionately communicate with clients team memberscolleagues and service

providers to ensure optimal outcomes for clients.

Counsel and advise clients on changes in law court decisions legalissues and options.

Negotiates with prosecutors and other parties to establish agreementsto resolve cases favorably for

the client.

Resourcefully manage a full and significant caseload from initialappearance to post-sentencing stages

for each assigned client.

Continuously seek professional and personal development throughtrainings CLEs and trial skills

courses; and meet all MOPD CLE requirements.

Other duties as assigned by the Public Defender District PublicDefender and other supervisory

authorities.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State ofMaryland employees.

This would be a lateral transfer for any internal candidates applying.

Assistant Public Defender I-$87620.00 (Starting at Grade 20: Step 06)

Please visit the State of Maryland Employees page to review benefitinformation.

HOW TO APPLY:

If you wish to be considered please click here to fill out theapplication and upload the

following documents in one PDF attachment through the Maryland StateGovernment Job

Openings Resume Page: (1) a current resume (2) a cover letter (3) alist of four professional

references and (4) a writing sample no longer than fifteen (15) pages.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Assistant Public Defenders are full-time employees and cannot engage inthe private practice of law while

in this position. MD Code Criminal Procedure Art. Section 16-203(d)(2).

As a State agency the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) isan affirmative action and equal

opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of allqualified individuals without regard to

race color religion sex physical or mental disability age sexualorientation gender identity national

origin veteran status or genetic information.

All applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors andpossess the ability to complete

tasks in a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be able to workin various positions and travel to

various courtrooms office environments and detention facilitiesthroughout the state. MOPD is further

committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation forindividuals with disabilities

in employment its services programs and activities by modifying oradjusting the job application process

or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to theknown applicant or employee

to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position theydesire; to perform the essential

functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits andprivileges of employment as are

enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilitiesunless the accommodation imposes an

undue hardship.

Applicants must be able to operate a computer and other office must have access

to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If areasonable accommodation is needed

please contact Tawanda Jackson Human Resources Supervisor at or