You will supervise Assistant Public Defenders and serve as a mission-driven member of the Ross County Office Supervisor Team. The Ross County Office provides criminal defense representation to clients who cannot afford an attorney in the courts of Ross County and Jackson County. You will directly supervise Assistant Public Defenders ("APDs") who practice in the Jackson County Municipal and Common Pleas Courts and the Ross County Common Pleas Courts. You will also maintain a caseload as lead attorney or co-counsel representing indigent trial-level clients in those same courts. You will work with your team to build and maintain productive working relationships with judicial and court staff and the OPD central office. This position reports directly to the Ross County Office Managing Assistant Public Defender. 

To be successful in this position, you will possess strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, a familiarity with applicable court staff and local procedure, experience in the teaching and mentoring of attorneys, and a strong legal acumen.

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

• Directly supervise attorney staff
• Coach and develop staff (hold team meetings & one-on-one meetings; set meaningful goals & provide support; complete timely performance evaluations)
• Recommend personnel for hire (screen & interview applicants)
• Represent indigent criminal defendants as co-counsel or lead-counsel at the trial level
• Correspond with clients regarding their legal issues and incarceration
• Meet with clients to explain legal strategies
• Assist external public defenders and members of private bar in researching complex legal issues and render legal advice
• Perform other necessary related legal and administrative work as directed by Managing Assistant Public Defender of the Ross County Office, Assistant Director or State Public Defender

Please submit a cover letter and a writing sample with your application. Applications without a cover letter and writing sample will not be reviewed.

The Supervising APD position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s E-1 Pay Range 14, presented below in table format. Starting pay 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 us at 614-466-5394 or [email protected].

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01; 12 mos. exp. as licensed attorney practicing criminal law; 6 mos. exp. in employee training & development. 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; Coaching; Attention to Detail; Leading Others; Verbal Communication; Analyzation