Assistant Public Defender

Public Defender•Oakland, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Alameda County Public Defender's Office provides the highest quality of indigent criminal defense by vigorously advocating for the rights of individuals facing criminal charges in adult and juvenile court. Our mission is to zealously protect and defend the rights of clients through compassionate and inspired legal representation of the highest quality, in pursuit of a fair and unbiased system of justice for all. The Alameda County Office is one of the oldest Public Defender offices in the nation, chartered in 1927 by Earl Warren who later became Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Today, our team of more than 100 attorneys, 18 investigators and 40 support staff handle approximately 30,000 cases per year providing innovative, holistic defense services for Alameda County residents. In 2012, the office was named the "Best Law Firm" in the East Bay by the Alameda County Bar Association. Assistant Public Defender is the unrestricted litigation and/or primary administrative class. Under general direction of the Public Defender, Chief Assistant Public Defender or Senior Assistant Public Defender, an Assistant Public Defender acts as a supervising attorney for other Assistant Public Defenders, and/or for Associate and Deputy Public Defenders, and may review and evaluate their work and performance as required; an Assistant Public Defender performs specialized legal tasks in connection with controversial and complex legal cases, does related legal work as required, and may conduct and supervise attorney training.

Requirements

Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California.
Valid California motor vehicle operator's license.
The equivalent of three years of full-time experience in the class of Deputy Public Defender in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney's Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)
The equivalent of seven years of increasingly responsible experience as a trial attorney in the field of criminal law, with a caseload and duties comparable to attorneys working in a metropolitan public defender agency; the equivalent of at least one year in a supervisory or administrative capacity in a public defender office or law firm with similar cases and responsibilities.
Knowledge of: Philosophy and practice of public defense in the United States.
Knowledge of: Law, ethics, and policies governing the Public Defender's office.
Knowledge of: Principles of training and supervision.
Knowledge of: Legal principles and procedures followed in the processing of criminal cases.
Knowledge of: Scope and character of California statutory and constitutional law.
Knowledge of: Principles of public administration and personnel management.
Knowledge of: Legal source materials.
Abilities: Assist in the training and supervision of personnel in the Public Defender's Office.
Abilities: Legal preparation in difficult and complex matters.
Abilities: Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Abilities: Gather, analyze and apply legal data and evidence.
Abilities: Present legal arguments effectively in oral and written form.
Abilities: Inspire confidence in clients and work effectively with colleagues and representatives of other agencies.
Abilities: Decision making.
Abilities: Interpersonal sensitivity.
Abilities: Flexibility.
Abilities: Performance in a stressful environment.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of the philosophy and practice of public defense, laws, ethics and polices of the Public Defender’s Office and scope and character of California Statutory and constitutional law
Demonstrated expertise in the preparation and arguing of difficult and complex cases where the Death Penalty will be sought
Dedicated team member that works cooperatively with others and strives to accomplish established work goals
Outstanding organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple on-going cases for staff and self
Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to communicate with diverse individuals and proven experience in delivering legal arguments that are effective in both written and oral form
Proven ability to defend complex felony cases including homicides during pre-trial and jury trial level, utilizing advanced litigation techniques
The ability to remain flexible, open, and positive while handling needs of clients and demands of the Court
A proven supervisory experience with the responsibility for training, guiding and evaluating the work of Assistant Public Defenders, Deputy Public Defenders and Associate Public Defenders

Responsibilities

Acts as a supervising attorney for other Assistant Public Defenders, and/or for Associate and Deputy Public Defenders.
Reviews and evaluates the work and performance of supervised attorneys as required.
Performs specialized legal tasks in connection with controversial and complex legal cases.
Conducts and supervises attorney training.
Defend felony cases at the pretrial and jury trial level, including advanced litigation techniques and preservation of the trial record by making timely and appropriate trial objections and motions.
Demonstrated knowledge of and facility in addressing difficult sentencing issues.
Assist in the planning, organization, and supervision of the Public Defender's Office.
Represent the department in disciplinary proceedings.
Understand the problems of court administration and work with the courts so clients do not suffer through poor administration in represented cases.
Supervise and/or conduct the evaluation of the performance of professional staff, including Assistant Public Defenders, Deputy Public Defenders, and Associate Public Defenders.
Assume management of the Office of the Public Defender in emergency situations.
Represent the Public Defender's Department in meetings with other County departments and agencies, outside agencies, and the County Board of Supervisors.

Benefits

Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
Vision or Vision Reimbursement
Share the Savings
Basic Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
County Allowance Credit
Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Long-Term Care, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
Employee Assistance Program
Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
12 paid holidays
Floating Holidays
Vacation and sick leave accrual
Vacation purchase program
Management Paid Leave
Catastrophic Sick Leave
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits Program
Guaranteed Ride Home
Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
Child Care Resources
1 st United Services Credit Union