ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER (Juvenile Division, District II)

IntroductionThe Maryland Office of the Public\rDefender (OPD) seeks zealous and dedicated litigators to represent young people\rin both delinquency and criminal matters in District II, serving Dorchester,\rSomerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties located in the Eastern Shore of\rMaryland. We are committed to building a\rculturally diverse staff and strongly encourage people historically\runderrepresented in the practice of law to apply.\r\r\r\rOur vision is for Justice, Fairness, and Dignity for All and we are committed to our core\rvalues of a culture of excellence, client-centered representation, tenacious\radvocacy, and remain united as a team in achieving our mission. At OPD we use\rour legal education and experience to fight for justice and fairness, no matter\rwhat and we refuse to remain silent in the midst of human suffering. Our unique\rtalents, identities, educational backgrounds, and perspectives guide us in\rrepresenting our clients. We stand up against prejudice, systemic racism, and\rinequity in all of the spaces we occupy. OPD seeks candidates who will join us\rin providing compassionate, competent, zealous, and client-centered\rrepresentation to all of our clients. Learn more about our mission\rand commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.\r GRADEASTD 20, ASTD 21, ASTD22\r LOCATION OF POSITIONDistrict II, serving\rDorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties located in the Eastern\rShore of Maryland.\r Main Purpose of JobOPD Juvenile Defenders provide\rconsistent client-centered representation to their clients from their first\rcourt appearance through their entire case. This vertical representation model\rleads to deep and lasting client relationships and continuity of representation\racross years and cases. Attorneys work in conjunction with social workers and\rcore staff in a team-oriented environment. Attorneys must be able to balance a\rclient-centered approach to representation with advocacy to address systemic\rinequity and the collateral consequences that lead to deeper system\rinvolvement. District II attorneys are primarily assigned to one county office;\rhowever, all attorneys in the district are expected to travel to the other\rcounty offices in the district when needed.\r POSITION DUTIES\r\rPrimary\rResponsibilities\r\r\r\r
Represent\r
youth at arraignment, adjudication, disposition, and post-disposition hearings.\r
Represent\r
clients in administrative matters related to conditions of confinement and\r
access to treatment.\r
Work\r
to identify and advocate for solutions to systemic issues.\r
Work\r
collaboratively with social workers and core staff to assist clients and their\r
families in matters related to housing, education,school discipline, mental\r
health, and other collateral matters that contribute to deepening system\r
involvement.\r
Investigate,\r
develop, and litigate novel and cutting-edge Constitutional arguments in order\r
to advance and expand the rights of young people in contact with the juvenile\r
justice system.\r
Competently\r
and resourcefully prepare for and manage an active caseload.\r
Effectively,\r
proactively, and compassionately communicate with clients, family members, team\r
members, colleagues, community resources, and service providers to ensure\r
optimal outcomes and resolve challenges in an open, constructive, and\r
professional manner.\r
Continuously\r
seek professional and personal development through trainings, CLEs, and trial\r
skills courses.\r
Other duties as assigned by the State\r
Public Defender.\r\r\r\r\r\rCore\rCompetencies and Requirements\r\r\r\r
Demonstrated\r
commitment to zealous and comprehensive defense practice, including the ability\r
to represent clients in juvenile, criminal, and administrative hearings.\r
Excellent\r
research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.\r
Knowledge,\r
training, and experience related to adolescent development, neuroscience,\r
education, mental health treatment, and best practices for juvenile\r
rehabilitation.\r
Ability\r
to communicate effectively with people of different backgrounds and lived\r
experiences. Proven expertise in communicating with children and adolescents is\r
preferred.\r
Ability\r
to work in a fast-paced, diverse, team-oriented environment.\r
Exceptional\r
organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary to handle a high\r
caseload.\r
Criminal\r
trial and/or experience representing juveniles preferred.\r
Active membership in\r
good standing with the State of Maryland Bar or Bar of another state. OPD will\r
consider individuals who sat for the July 2023 bar examination. If selected,\r
offers will be extended contingent on membership to the bar in advance of the\r
start date. Preference in the selection process will be given to candidates who\r
are already a member of the bar. Attorneys barred in another state must become\r
a member of the Maryland bar within 18 months of the start date.\r\r\r\r MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSAssistant Public Defender I\rEducation: A Juris Doctorate degreeor equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.\rExperience: None\rNotes:\r1. Candidates shall be an Attorney and admitted to practice law in the State by the Court of Appeals of Maryland, at the time of appointment.\r2. The above requirements are set by the Office of the Public Defender in accordance with Criminal Procedure Article, Section 16-203 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.\r3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in general attorney classification or general attorney specialty codes in the legal and kindred group field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.\r\r\r\rAssistant Public Defender II\rEducation: A Juris Doctorate degreeor equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.\rExperience: Experience as a practicing Attorney.\rNotes:\r1. Candidates shall be an Attorney and admitted to practice law in the State by the Court of Appeals of Maryland, at the time of appointment.\r2. The above requirements are set by the Office of the Public Defender in accordance with Criminal Procedure Article, Section 16-203 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.\r3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in general attorney classification or general attorney specialty codes in the legal and kindred group field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.\r\r\r\rAssistant Public Defender III\rEducation: A Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.\rExperience: Experience as a practicing Attorney.\rNotes:\r1. Candidates shall be an Attorney and admitted to practice law in the State by the Court of Appeals of Maryland, at the time of appointment.\r2. The above requirements are set by the Office of the Public Defender in accordance with Criminal Procedure Article, Section 16-203 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.\r3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in general attorney classification or general attorney specialty codes in the legal and kindred group field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.\r BENEFITSSalary\rand Benefits\rSalary is dependent on\rexperience and salary rules will apply to State of Maryland employees. Please\rvisit the State\rof Maryland Employee’s page to review benefit\rinformation.\rAssistant Public Defender I- $84,225.00-$118,953.00\r(Grade 20, Step 6-24)\rAssistant Public Defender II- $93,424.00-126,912.00\r(Grade 21, Step 8-24)\rAssistant Public Defender III- $103,514.00-$135,450.00\r(Grade 22, Step 10-24)\r FURTHER INSTRUCTIONSIf you wish to be considered,\rplease click belowto fill out the application and submit the following items\rin one PDF attachment under the\rResume tab of the Maryland State Government Job Openings Page: (1) current\rresume, (2) cover letter, (3) list of four professional references, (4) writing\rsample, and (5) transcript (if graduated from law school within the past 3\ryears).\r\r\rIncomplete applications will not be considered.\r\r\r\rAssistant Public Defenders are full-time employees and cannot engage in\rthe private practice of law while in this position. MD Code, Criminal Procedure\rArt., Section 16-203(d)(2).\r\rAs a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is\ran affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the\rfull inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color,\rreligion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender\ridentity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. \r\rAll applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors\rand possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work\renvironment. Applicants must be able to\rwork in various positions and travel to various courtrooms and office\renvironments throughout the state. MOPD is further committed to providing equal\ropportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in\remployment, its services, programs, and activities by modifying or adjusting\rthe job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable\raccommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or\remployee be considered for the position they desire; to perform the essential\rfunctions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and\rprivileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees\rwithout disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship. \r\rApplicants must be able to operate a computer and other office\requipment. Applicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to\rnavigate public transportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please\rcontact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, at 410-767-8503 or #####.\r
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