Assistant Public Defender

State of North Carolina

1d•$55,000 - $90,000

About The Position

SALARY RANGE: $55,000.00 - $90,000.00 The District 6 Office of the Public Defender represents indigent clients in all criminal in district and superior court, juvenile delinquency matters, civil contempt matters, treatment courts, first appearances and parents in abuse, neglect, and dependency matters. District 6 defenders are cross-trained and capable of handling all casework required to provide quality legal services for indigent clients. This position will be based in the New Hanover County (Wilmington) office.

Requirements

The District 6 Office of the Public Defender represents indigent clients in all criminal in district and superior court, juvenile delinquency matters, civil contempt matters, treatment courts, first appearances and parents in abuse, neglect, and dependency matters.
District 6 defenders are cross-trained and capable of handling all casework required to provide quality legal services for indigent clients.
Public Defenders must be capable of handling difficult cases and clients, some of which are struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse issues while maintaining positive professional relationships with clients, coworkers, and the public.
Defenders are expected to visit clients at the jail and in prison facilities, and occasionally travel outside the office for trainings or assisting in coverage in the Pender County office.
All applicants must have a strong desire and commitment to indigent defense and client advocacy while allotting time in their workday to return phone calls and emails, appropriately notate cases in the management system and complete daily disposition data and other procedural matters.
Applicant must be attentive to detail, organized, possess an ability to effectively communicate and litigate cases in the courtroom and have exceptional legal research and writing skills.
Federal, State, common and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, regulatory, and common law; NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases and juvenile cases as well as competency in legal research methods.
Applicant must be able to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy; prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a concise manner; and maintain a high volume caseload in a professional and efficient manner all while accurately notating the case management system in accordance and District 6 office policy and North Carolina State Bar file retention standards.
Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina.
However, applicants awaiting NC Bar licensure will be considered.
Attach a résumé and a persuasive cover letter describing your personal and professional credentials for employment.
Applications without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered.