Senior Deputy Defender (Medford, OR)

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Job Description:

At OPDC we are committed to ensuring constitutionally competent and effective legal representation for individuals eligible for a public defender. As a Senior Deputy Defender you will play a vital role in providing zealous defense to clients charged with a wide range of offenses from misdemeanors to serious felonies including the most serious offenses. This position offers the opportunity to lead a dedicated support team collaborate with experienced colleagues and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who need it the most.

Position: Senior Deputy Defender

• This position is full-time and permanent.

• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

Locations:

• Southwest Trial Division (Medford) > Hiring Manager: Alyssa Bartholemew

Salary Range: $12095 - $17597

What you will do

The Senior Deputy Defender will provide effective representation to a wide variety of clients charged with crimes in Oregon trial courts including the most serious each representation Senior Deputy Defenders lead a support-staff team which may include legal secretaries investigators case managers and paralegals. With team support the Senior Deputy Defender is responsible for managing a caseload that demands trial preparation and practice routine appearances in several courts regular contact with clients including those in custody for advice and counsel investigation strategizing and legal research and writing. They will also work collaboratively with other attorneys in the office including mentoring junior attorneys and serving as co-counsel on select cases.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school AND member of the Oregon State Bar.

• Eight (8) years full-time experience in criminal law practice juvenile dependency practice or civil commitment law or equivalent experience.

• Valid Oregon Drivers License

The Top (6) Desired Attributes for this Role

1. Strong criminal defense or litigation experience with sound judgement and ethics.

2. Demonstrated commitment to public defense and indigent clients.

3. Knowledge of Oregon courts and procedures or ability to quickly learn a new jurisdiction.

4. Client-centered advocacy with clear empathetic communication.

5. Collaborative adaptable and reliable under pressure.

6. Interest in helping expand and strengthen Oregons public defense system (preferred)

Whats in it for you

You will become part of an innovative and strategic group of professionals and enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package!

OPDC supports and encourages work/life balance and overall wellness and offers a generous benefits package including employer-paid health insurance vacation and sick leave eleven paid holidays three paid personal days flexible spending accounts and an employer contribution retirement plan (PERS).

Application Instructions

Current OPDC Employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.

• REQUIRED RESUME: Attach your most up-to-date Resume. Please ensure your Workday profile aligns with your submission.

• REQUIRED COVER LETTER: As part of the application process we are requesting that you submit a cover letter that clearly demonstrates how you meet the desired attributes for the Senior Deputy Defender listed in this job announcement.

**Applicationsthat do not include thelistedrequired documentswill be declined. Should this happen you may re-submit your application with the required documentation by the applicationdeadline. **

Duties

Interviewing and communication with clients

Frequent clear communication with clients - keeping them updated on all stages of their case providing appropriately redacted discovery and significant filings and rigorously safeguarding their confidential information. Additionally the attorney must remain accessible to clients including arranging in-person visits at jails or correctional facilities when necessary.

Arraignment and release/preventative detention hearings advocacy

This role emphasizes vertical representation ensuring a single attorney represents each client through every stage from arraignment to advocating for release fostering continuity trust and effective case advocacy.

Legal Research and Writing

Assess and identify both conventional and novel legal issues constructing well-reasoned analytical arguments grounded in facts evidence and precise legal application. Additionally this role must ensure adherence to proper citation and formatting standards while adeptly leveraging legal research tools like Westlaw to explore sources ranging from administrative regulation to constitutional provisions.

Preparing and arguing pretrial motions affidavits and legal memoranda

Review legal briefs and memoranda supporting pretrial motions assessing the strengths and weaknesses of both parties arguments and persuasively advocating the defenses position while countering the states claims with precise references to facts and law.

Discovery investigation and strategic planning

Request and review discovery and case-related records oversee and guide investigators in interviewing witnesses examining scenes and evidence and preparing subpoenas. This position will also analyze and organize case materials document all case activities and collaborate with colleagues and the defense team on strategy.

Negotiations

Negotiating with the prosecutor to seek case dismissal or resolution through plea bargaining and preparing for and conducting formal settlement conferences to facilitate case resolution.

Who we are.

The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is an agency governed by a 13-member commission appointed by the Governor which serves as the governing body for Oregons public defense system. The Commission provides policy direction and oversight for the administration of the system. The legal services provided by OPDC represent an essential component of Oregons public safety system.

OPDCs mission is to ensure constitutionally competent and effective legal representation for people eligible for a public office includes the Executive Appellate Trial Trial Development & Resources and Administrative Services Divisions.

OPDC negotiates contracts with trial level public defense providers and administers and distributes funds for representation and related services for cases during the biennium for criminal juvenile and civil commitment cases. The Agency provides compliance and oversight to the trial community providers through quality assurance practices training and Services processes all expenses related to representation in public defense cases. The Appellate Division provides direct legal representation in the state appellate courts in criminal cases juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases and parole cases. Other services in the Agency include Data Collection and Analysis General Counsel Human Resources Information Technology Services Internal Audit and Policy Development.

Recruitment Timeline

*These dates are approximate and may change. *

Recruitment Closes: Friday May 1 2026 @ 11:59P

Recruiter Screening for Minimum Qualifications: On-going

Hiring Manager Screening for Desired Attributes: On-going

Interviews: Week of May 4th 2026

Additional Details

• The information in your application will be used to complete a pay equity assessment todeterminesalary placement upon hire. Please see the link here toourPay Equity Project.

• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age date of birthattendanceor graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

• Eligible veterans disabled veterans and current/former servicemembers of the Oregon National Guard who meet the qualifications are eligible for Candidate Preference. For more information please visitVeterans Resources.

• OPDCdoes not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire applicants willbe requiredto complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.

OPDC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is strongly committed to enhancing the diversity of its will be provided in the recruitment application and selection process to applicants with disabilities who request such assistance. Please call as early as possible regarding any assistance you may require.