Assistant Public Defender Wrongful Conviction Project

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39) and as outlined in the posting.

At the State of Ohio we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits visit ourTotal Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off including vacation personal sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth Adoption and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds Public Service Loan Forgiveness and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS STRS SERS and HPRS)&Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Intentional omission of relevant information falsification or misrepresentation of information on the application will disqualify the addition such intentional acts are grounds for immediate termination of an employee.

Final candidates selected for this position will be required to undergo a drug applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment. Final candidates selected for this position will also be required to undergo a background check and state income tax check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicants prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

This position serves at the pleasure and discretion of the State Public Defender. This position serves in a fiduciary relationship to the State Public Defender and will have an unclassified status per Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (9).

Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01.
Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme court attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to .R. 5.02 & 5.03 an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases.
Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio under Rule I Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services Public Defender and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.01.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal Client Advocacy Verbal Communication Analyzation Critical Thinking Collaboration Organizing and Planning

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
Our Vision: A Fair Justice System.
Our Values: . Service. Community.

We are committed to building a work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness and justice for all people.

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Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services activities programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is seeking a dedicated attorney to serve as an Assistant Public Defender (APD) in the Wrongful Conviction Project (WCP) within our Appellate Services Division. The APD role involves evaluating applications for assistance identifying potential innocence claims and preparing cases for investigation and litigation. You will join a motivated highly collaborative project WCP is dedicated to identifying investigating and litigating cases of actual innocence for incarcerated people in Ohio. The Project also works to educate others on the causes and consequences of wrongful convictions and advocates for policy reform.

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate a passionate commitment to social justice and the goals mission and values of the WCP and the Office of the Ohio Public Defender. To be successful in the position you will: have exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills; value working in a collaborative environment; possess superior skills in organization planning and attention to detail; have strong interpersonal skills; have the ability to communicate in a compassionate yet direct manner; and possess experience with data language tools preferably experience with case management tools and searchable databases.

The essential job duties include but are not limited to the following:

Provide rigorous legal defense and representation for indigent criminal defendants in state and federal court as solo-counsel lead counsel or co-counsel at the appellate and post-conviction level

Screen and evaluate claims of wrongful conviction

Lead case teamsin developing legal and investigation strategies for potential innocence litigation

Work closely with investigators to investigate claims of wrongful conviction

Conduct legal research analyze and interpret complex issues of law

and prepare briefs memoranda motions and other pleadings subject to review

Research areas of forensic science and medicine as needed to advocate for a particular client

Lead other attorneys and staff in the formulation of legal media and advocacy strategies for a particular client and apply such strategies to attain successful representation for a particular client

Prepare cases for oral arguments hearing or trial

Conduct pre-trial conferences hearings and plea negotiations

Conduct appeals prepare motions for new trial postconviction petitions and conduct other postconviction matters

Appear in court on behalf of indigent clients

Assist in recruiting and training legal interns and students. Review and advise on casework of legal interns. Assign legal interns and other personnel the preparation of case files or collecting evidence or data for case work

Answer inquiries from indigent incarcerated people concerning their wrongful incarceration and render legal advice to clients

Answer phone calls and letters from indigent incarcerated people and their families while also preparing and sending appropriate letters that include an explanation of legal issues close factors status updates and/or further options when necessary.

*Please submit a writing sample and cover letter with your application. Applications without these attachments will not be reviewed. Recent law school graduates awaiting bar results are encouraged to apply. *

Starting pay for this position will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; Candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 6 months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact the OPD HCM Department at or.