Assistant Public Defender

State of North Carolina • Haywood County, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Public Defender, District 43, is recruiting multiple Assistant Public Defenders serving Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Cherokee, Clay, Macon, and Graham counties. Positions will be based in Haywood and Cherokee counties. Attorneys will likely be assigned DWI cases, including complicated impaired-driving cases, and may cover treatment court and other initiatives to better serve the community. Assistant Public Defenders must be able to handle difficult cases and clients while maintaining positive, professional relationships with coworkers, clients, and the public. Attorneys visit clients in jail and prison facilities and travel outside the office to conduct investigative procedures. A strong commitment to client advocacy and indigent defense is required. Public service employees are expected to engage in community service and participate in relevant outreach programs, including volunteer programs held during evenings and weekends.

The position requires a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina. Applicants awaiting North Carolina bar licensure will be considered. Experience in criminal district and/or criminal superior court trials is helpful but not required. A valid North Carolina driver's license is required.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in North Carolina; applicants awaiting North Carolina bar licensure will be considered.
• Valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Strong communication skills for courtroom litigation.
• Exceptional legal research and writing skills.
• Interviewing and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze facts and legal authorities and apply applicable law.
• Ability to plan, develop, and execute effective litigation strategies.
• Ability to prepare, organize, and conduct witness examinations and deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections.
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts and related facts clearly and concisely.
• Strong commitment to client advocacy and indigent defense.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in criminal district and/or criminal superior court trials.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in assigned cases, likely including DWI and complicated impaired-driving cases.
• Handle difficult cases and clients while maintaining professional relationships with coworkers, clients, and the public.
• Visit clients in jail and prison facilities.
• Travel outside the office to conduct investigative procedures.
• Participate in treatment court and other initiatives as assigned.
• Engage in community service and participate in relevant outreach and volunteer programs, including programs held during evenings and weekends.
• Research and apply applicable law, develop litigation strategies, and conduct courtroom advocacy, including witness examinations, opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree