Appellate Attorney 4- First Chair

Public Defender Council, Georgia•Atlanta, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Georgia Capital Defender Office has an opening for a Lead Counsel Appellate Attorney in death penalty cases located in the Georgia Public Defender’s Central Office in Atlanta, Georgia. This position focuses on representing indigent clients in death penalty appeals and may also include trial-level work as co-counsel in capital cases, as well as non-capital appellate work when needed. Candidates must have a strong interest in capital defense, appellate advocacy, and client-centered representation.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate in a related area from an accredited college or university and license to practice law in the State of Georgia or eligibility to sit for the next Georgia Bar examination followed by Georgia Bar exam passage and licensure to practice law in the State of Georgia within one (1) year of hiring or reciprocity and three (3) years of relevant legal experience; or three (3) years of experience required at the lower-level Attorney 3 (LEP022).
Member in good standing of the State Bar or admitted to practice pro hac vice.
At least five years criminal litigation experience as a criminal defense attorney or a prosecuting attorney.
Have been co-counsel, or have actively assisted in the direct appeal of at least one death penalty case.
Have been counsel of record in at least three felony appeals.
Attended within twelve months previous to appointment at least ten hours of specialized training or educational programs relating to post-conviction appeals and appellate procedures relating to post-conviction appeals or, upon appointment, agree to take ten hours of such training or educational programs and maintain annually during the pendency of the case ten hours of such training or educational programs. This requirement may be met by viewing video recorded instruction and written materials and certifying to the trial court that the materials have been reviewed.

Nice To Haves

Strong interest in capital defense, appellate advocacy, and client-centered representation.

Responsibilities

Provide competent and zealous representation to indigent defendants in death penalty appeals.
Handle complex and high-profile appellate litigation.
Assist with capital trial representation as co-counsel when assigned.
Conduct legal research and brief writing.
Present oral arguments.
Perform other related duties as assigned.