Assistant Public Defender - Washington County

You will serve as an Assistant Public Defender (APD) in the Washington County Office of our Trial Services Division. The Washington County Office is a trial-level office that provides criminal defense representation to clients facing charges in the county who cannot otherwise afford an attorney. You will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and/or felony criminal charges. Note: the position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court and does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation. You will be successful if you thrive in a close-knit team environment and are interested in trial-level work, as well as providing client service in a fast-paced work setting. Eagerness to work with a supervisor to learn the intricacies of the position and provide high-quality representation will serve you well.

Essential duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Prepare cases for trial
• Try cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel
• Represent clients in community control violations
• Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations
• Examine witnesses
• Present legal arguments and evidence

In your application, please upload and attach a cover letter and a writing sample. Applications without a cover letter and writing sample will not be reviewed.

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.

FY27 Wages

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Hourly

$36.75$38.75$40.87$43.07$45.50$47.95$49.92$52.27

Annual

$76,440$80,660$85,010$89,586$94,640$99,736$103,834$108,722

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 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.

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 Appt.Coun.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 4705.02.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal; Client Advocacy; Consultation; Building Trust; Verbal Communication; Written Communication; Analyzation