Experienced Attorney District Vi Montgomery County

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks experienced andzealous litigators to serve asAssistant Public Defenders in MontgomeryCounty Maryland. Assistant Public Defenders provideexceptionalrepresentation to their clients demonstrated through skilled litigationtenacious advocacy inand outside of court and a commitment toclient-centered representation. MOPD is committed tocultivating a robustand culturally diverse team and strongly encourages applicants from allbackgroundsto apply including those from historically underrepresentedin the practice of law.

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION:

This position is for an experienced Assistant Public Defender. Theposition requires a willingness tolearn train and practice exceptionaltrial skills innovative thinking investigative skills and the abilitytowork as a team in managing an active and substantial district courtcaseload. Attorneys work inconjunction with social workersinvestigators and core staff in a team-oriented environment torepresentqualifying clients. Attorneys must be able to balance aclient-centered approach to representation withadvocacy to addresssystemic inequity and the collateral consequences that lead to deepersysteminvolvement. Available positions will focus their practiceprimarily in the Circuit Court for MontgomeryCounty.

Being an Assistant Public Defender requires an exceptional level ofdedication to the mission of MOPDand its clients and involves asubstantial commitment of time and effort; applicants should be preparedtodiscuss and demonstrate the same.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

Maintain effective and consistent communication with clients who areincarcerated or in the communityto ensure that individuals we representare consistently heard and respected. For clients who areincarcerated itis expected that attorneys will regularly travel to the place of incarcerationand visit clientsthere to engage in substantive discussions of theircases.

Conducts substantive legal research writing and analysis tospecifically include briefing the courts onchanges in laws legislationprocedural rules court decisions and other legal precedent inpreparationfor hearings and trial.

Coordinate and compassionately communicate with clients team memberscolleagues and serviceproviders 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 forthe client.

Resourcefully manage a full and significant caseload of felony casesfrom initial appearance to post-sentencing stages for each assigned client.

Continuously seek professional and personal development throughtrainings CLEs and trial skillscourses; and meet all MOPD CLErequirements.

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

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 II- starting at $97190.00 (Grade 21: Step 08)

Assistant Public Defender III- starting at $107687.00 (Grade 22: Step10)

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 thefollowing documents in one PDF attachmentthrough the Maryland State Government JobOpenings Resume Page: (1) acurrent resume (2) a cover letter (3) a list of fourprofessionalreferences and (4) a writing sample between 5-20 pages oflegal analysis (ex. Court briefs or substantivemotions).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Assistant Public Defenders are full-time employees and cannot engage inthe private practice of law whilein this position. MD Code CriminalProcedure Art. Section 16- 203(d)(2).

As a State agency the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) isan affirmative action and equalopportunity employer. MOPD is committed tothe full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to

race color religion sex physical or mental disability age sexualorientation gender identity nationalorigin veteran status or geneticinformation.

All applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors andpossess the ability to completetasks in a fast-paced work must be able to work in various positions and travel tovariouscourtrooms office environments and detention facilities throughout the is furthercommitted to providing equal opportunity and reasonableaccommodation for individuals with disabilitiesin employment itsservices programs and activities by modifying or adjusting the job applicationprocessor the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodationsto the known applicant or employeeto enable the applicant or employee beconsidered for the position they desire; to perform theessentialfunctions of the position in question; or to enjoy equalbenefits and privileges of employment as areenjoyed by other similarlysituated employees without disabilities unless the accommodation imposesanundue hardship.

Applicants must be able to operate a computer and other office must have accessto a motor vehicle or be able to navigatepublic transportation. If a reasonable accommodation is neededpleasecontact Tawanda Jackson Human Resources Supervisor at