Assistant Public Defender

Ontario County (Department of Human Resources)•Canandaigua, NY

1d•$102,779 - $121,299

About The Position

Ontario County Public Defender’s Office is looking for qualified applicants to fill full-time Assistant Public Defender position in their office. Salary: 2026 – New Associate Level Attorney starting rate of pay (Step 1) is $102,779/yr. 2026 – Experienced Level Attorney starting rate of pay (Step 1) is $121,299/yr. Please note adjustments up to Step 4 maybe made based upon experience and with the approval of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors. Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 3% deferred compensation match, NYS retirement pension, employee wellness programming, and generous leave provided. QUALIFICATIONS: County Values: All employees of Ontario County are expected to uphold and exhibit the County’s shared values and behaviors to achieve the County’s Vision and Mission. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Shall have graduated from a regionally accredited college or university, or a New York State registered college or university with an undergraduate degree, followed by a Law Degree from an accredited Law School. Shall be admitted to the practice of law in the state of New York, and shall be continuously admitted throughout the term of service as the Assistant Public Defender. Multilingual individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. The Assistant Public Defender shall hold no other public or political office, and shall devote full working time to the county. Experience: A satisfactory level of knowledge and understanding in the field and practice of criminal law. Prior experience in representing individuals in a Public Defender office or through an 18-b panel is preferred but not required. Trial experience preferred but not required. Description of Duties: Provide zealous legal representation of the highest caliber. Work collaboratively with office attorneys, social workers, defense investigators, and administrative staff. Promote a collaborative, client-centered office setting. Assist the Public Defender in handling a full caseload of criminal matters including arraignments, preliminary hearings, pretrial proceedings, hearings, and trials. Appear at criminal and administrative proceedings in the local, county, and state courts located within Ontario County. Handling first appearances in courts throughout Ontario County and the Centralized Arraignment Part. Assist the Public Defender in legal research in the preparation of pretrial motions and trial memoranda. Maintain accurate records and updated files. Represent clients accused of violating terms of their supervision in parole proceedings. Assist the Public Defender by maintaining frequent client contact by phone, paper correspondence, and performing routine visits to incarcerated clients. Work with defense investigators to ensure that cases are thoroughly investigated. Collaborate with office social work staff on behalf of clients in need of services. SPECIAL NOTE: Unlicensed law degree graduate awaiting bar exam/bar results for admission may be hired at lower salary band and will move to the Associate Level salary band once they have successfully passed the bar. Application Process: Applications will be accepted until all the positions are filled. Applications and resumes must be submitted through the Ontario County Employment Portal at https://ontario-portal.mycivilservice.com/ EOE

Requirements

Shall have graduated from a regionally accredited college or university, or a New York State registered college or university with an undergraduate degree, followed by a Law Degree from an accredited Law School.
Shall be admitted to the practice of law in the state of New York, and shall be continuously admitted throughout the term of service as the Assistant Public Defender.
The Assistant Public Defender shall hold no other public or political office, and shall devote full working time to the county.
A satisfactory level of knowledge and understanding in the field and practice of criminal law.

Nice To Haves

Multilingual individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Prior experience in representing individuals in a Public Defender office or through an 18-b panel is preferred but not required.
Trial experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide zealous legal representation of the highest caliber.
Work collaboratively with office attorneys, social workers, defense investigators, and administrative staff.
Promote a collaborative, client-centered office setting.
Assist the Public Defender in handling a full caseload of criminal matters including arraignments, preliminary hearings, pretrial proceedings, hearings, and trials.
Appear at criminal and administrative proceedings in the local, county, and state courts located within Ontario County.
Handling first appearances in courts throughout Ontario County and the Centralized Arraignment Part.
Assist the Public Defender in legal research in the preparation of pretrial motions and trial memoranda.
Maintain accurate records and updated files.
Represent clients accused of violating terms of their supervision in parole proceedings.
Assist the Public Defender by maintaining frequent client contact by phone, paper correspondence, and performing routine visits to incarcerated clients.
Work with defense investigators to ensure that cases are thoroughly investigated.
Collaborate with office social work staff on behalf of clients in need of services.