Assistant Public Defender

State of North Carolina•Chatham County Courthouse Chatham, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Public Defender, District 18, which consists of Chatham and Orange counties, is seeking a qualified individual to serve as an Assistant Public Defender in our Chatham County office. The attorney will likely be assigned to juvenile cases, misdemeanors, low- and high- level felonies. All Assistant Public Defenders must be capable of handling complex cases, and challenging clients while maintaining positive, professional relationships with co-workers, clients and the public. Attorneys are expected to visit clients in jail, prison facilities, travel outside of the office to conduct investigative procedures, and on occasion work evenings or weekends to ensure preparation for court proceedings. Applicants must have a strong desire and commitment to client advocacy and indigent defense. Spanish language fluency is helpful but not required.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school
Active license to practice law in North Carolina
Knowledge of Federal, State, common and constitutional law
Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence
Knowledge of case, statutory, regulatory and common law
Knowledge of NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases
Knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures
Knowledge of legal research methods
Strong communication skills to litigate cases in the courtroom
Exceptional legal research and writing skills
Interviewing skills
Organization skills
Ability to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts
Ability to conduct legal research
Ability to plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results
Ability to prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations
Ability to deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections
Ability to express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner

Nice To Haves

Spanish language fluency
Experience in criminal district and criminal superior court trials

Responsibilities

Handle complex cases and challenging clients.
Maintain positive, professional relationships with co-workers, clients and the public.
Visit clients in jail and prison facilities.
Travel outside of the office to conduct investigative procedures.
Work evenings or weekends to ensure preparation for court proceedings.
Client advocacy and indigent defense.