EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY: DISTRICT I (BALTIMORE CITY)

About the job

Introduction

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) has multiple openings\r\nfor experienced and zealous\r\nlitigators to serve as Assistant Public Defenders in our District I\r\nBaltimore City office. The Baltimore City\r\noffice is a large urban Public Defender office with 200+ employees\r\nproviding client-centered\r\nrepresentation to individuals charged with misdemeanors and felonies in\r\nBaltimore City. The attorney in\r\nthis position will combine their demonstrated commitment with their\r\nstrong and zealous litigation skills to\r\nprovide exceptional representation on behalf of their clients. We are\r\ncommitted to building a culturally\r\ndiverse staff and strongly encourage people historically underrepresented\r\nin the practice of law to apply.\r\n \r\nAt MOPD we use our legal education and experience to fight for justice\r\nand fairness, no matter what and\r\nwe refuse to remain silent in the midst of human suffering. Our unique\r\ntalents, identities, educational\r\nbackgrounds, and perspectives guide us in representing our clients. We\r\nstand up against prejudice,\r\nsystemic racism, and inequity in all of the spaces we occupy. MOPD seeks\r\ncandidates who will join us in\r\nproviding compassionate, competent, zealous, and client-centered\r\nrepresentation to all of our clients.\r\nLearn more about our mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and\r\ninclusion.\r\n

GRADE

ASTD22; ASTD21\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

Baltimore City, MD\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION:\r\n \r\nThe positions require exceptional trial skills, innovative thinking,\r\ninvestigative skills, and the ability to work\r\nindependently in managing an active felony caseload. Attorneys work in\r\nconjunction with social workers,\r\ninvestigators, experts, and core staff in a team-oriented environment.\r\nAttorneys must be able to balance a\r\nclient-centered approach to representation with advocacy to address\r\nsystemic inequity and the collateral\r\nconsequences that lead to deeper system involvement. Positions are available in\r\nBaltimore, Maryland.\r\nAttorneys should be available to start within one month after receiving\r\nan offer.\r\n\r\nDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:\r\n \r\n● Represent clients in all stages of their criminal case including bail\r\nhearings, motions hearings, and trial,\r\nand post-trial hearings.\r\n● Ensures clients are consistently heard and respected.\r\n● Conducts legal research and analysis including changes in laws,\r\nlegislation, procedural rules, court\r\ndecisions, and case precedents in preparation for trial and to\r\ndetermine/anticipate legal problems and\r\npropose resolutions.\r\n● Drafts and prepares reports, memoranda in opposition, briefs, motions,\r\nand correspondence for clients.\r\n● Effectively and compassionately communicate with clients, team members,\r\ncolleagues, and service\r\nproviders to ensure optimal outcomes for clients.\r\n● Counsels and advises clients on changes in law, court decisions, and\r\nlegal issues.\r\n● Negotiates with prosecutors, judges, and other stakeholders to\r\nestablish agreements to resolve cases\r\nfavorably for the client.\r\n● Competently, independently, and resourcefully manage a full caseload.\r\n● Continuously seek professional development by attending various\r\ntraining sessions.\r\n● Other duties as assigned by the Public Defender.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

CORE COMPETENCIES AND\r\nREQUIREMENTS:\r\n�\r\n● Demonstrated commitment to\r\nserving communities who have been pushed to the margins.\r\n● Excellent research, writing,\r\nand oral advocacy skills.\r\n● Clear dedication to upending\r\nsystemic racism, prejudice, and unfairness in the criminal legal system.\r\n● Strong interpersonal skills\r\nand the ability to communicate effectively with people from different \r\nbackgrounds and lived\r\nexperiences.\r\n● Ability to thrive in a\r\nfast-paced, diverse, team-oriented environment.\r\n● Exceptional organizational,\r\nlegal, and administrative skills necessary to handle a high caseload.\r\n● Criminal jury trial\r\nexperience required. Felony (cases involving complex issues and/or where\r\nclients are\r\nfacing the possibility of a\r\nlife sentence) jury trial experience is preferred.\r\n● Active membership in good\r\nstanding in the Maryland Bar or Bar of another state.\r\n�\r\n\r\n\r\nAttorneys barred in another\r\nstate must become members of the Maryland Bar within 18 months of their start\r\ndate with MOPD.\r\n

BENEFITS

SALARY AND BENEFITS:\r\n \r\nSalary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State of\r\nMaryland employees.\r\nThis would be a lateral transfer for any internal candidates applying.\r\n \r\nAssistant Public Defender II- starting at $98,840.00 (Grade 21: Step 08)\r\nAssistant Public Defender III- starting at $109,794.00 (Grade 22: Step\r\n10)\r\n�\r\nPlease visit the State of Maryland Employee’s page to review benefit\r\ninformation.\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO APPLY:\r\n \r\nIf you wish to be considered, please click here to fill out the\r\napplication and upload the following\r\ndocuments in one PDF attachment through the Resume Tab of the Maryland\r\nState Government Job\r\nOpenings: (1) a current resume, (2) a cover letter, (3) a list of four\r\nprofessional references, and (4) a\r\nwriting sample no longer than fifteen (15) pages.\r\n \r\nIncomplete applications will not be considered.\r\n \r\nAssistant Public Defenders are full-time employees and cannot engage in\r\nthe private practice of law while\r\nin this position. MD Code, Criminal Procedure Art., Section 16-203(d)(2).\r\n \r\nAs a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is\r\nan affirmative action and equal\r\nopportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all\r\nqualified individuals without regard to\r\nrace, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual\r\norientation, gender identity, national\r\norigin, veteran status, or genetic information.\r\n \r\nAll applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors and\r\npossess the ability to complete\r\ntasks in a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be able to work\r\nin various positions and travel to\r\nvarious courtrooms, office environments, and detention facilities\r\nthroughout the state. MOPD is further\r\ncommitted to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for\r\nindividuals with disabilities\r\nin employment, its services, programs, and activities by modifying or\r\nadjusting the job application process\r\nor the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the\r\nknown applicant or employee\r\nto enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position they\r\ndesire; to perform the essential\r\nfunctions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and\r\nprivileges of employment as are\r\nenjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities,\r\nunless the accommodation imposes an\r\nundue hardship.\r\n \r\nApplicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment.\r\nApplicants must have access\r\nto a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a\r\nreasonable accommodation is needed,\r\nplease contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, at\r\n410-767-8503 or\r\ntawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.\r\n