Attorney Trainer

State of Maryland • Anne Arundel, MD

23d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is seeking an exceptional, forward-thinking litigator and educator to join our statewide Training Division as an Attorney Trainer. At MOPD, we believe that every client—regardless of their background or financial resources—deserves elite, zealous, and client-centered advocacy. As an Attorney Trainer, you will not just teach the law; you will cultivate the skills, passion, and strategic thinking of our state’s public defenders. This role is a unique hybrid of strategic curriculum design, performance-based courtroom coaching, and direct litigation mentorship. Operating from our Training Division headquarters with statewide reach, you will directly shape the legal minds defending our communities. You will build and lead high-impact training programs that take new attorneys from their first day of orientation to complex felony trials, using modern adult-learning models and dynamic trial advocacy techniques. If you are a seasoned trial lawyer with a passion for mentorship, a deep commitment to systemic equity, and the desire to empower the next generation of public defenders, this is your opportunity to make a systemic impact on justice in Maryland.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Five (5) years of active criminal defense litigation experience, including extensive experience handling felony trials and complex litigation.
• Admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Maryland (or admission to the Bar of another state with immediate eligibility for admission under Maryland Out-of-State Attorney rules).
• All licenses must be maintained in active, good standing.
• Advanced understanding of Maryland criminal law, rules of evidence, and constitutional procedure (4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments).
• Mastery of courtroom presentation, trial strategy, legal writing, and persuasive storytelling.
• Strong ability to deliver constructive, developmental feedback to professional peers and present complex material to diverse audiences.
• Competency with virtual learning environments (Google Meet, Zoom, MS Teams, LMS platforms) and media presentation software.
• A deep and active commitment to systemic equity, racial justice, and MOPD’s mission of client-centered representation.
• Ability to communicate with clients and visitors.
• Ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work in various positions and travel to various courtrooms and office environments throughout the state.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Access to a motor vehicle or ability to navigate to our 52 offices statewide.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience as a clinical law professor, trial advocacy instructor, or systematic peer mentor/coach.
• Familiarity with the national standards of public defense practice and client-centered advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience using modern adult learning models (such as performance-based advocacy training).

Responsibilities

• Develop and facilitate MOPD’s foundational and continuing legal education (CLE) programs, including the intensive New Attorney Orientation and core programmatic partnerships like Gideon’s Promise.
• Design interactive workshops on all stages of litigation: voir dire, opening statements, cross-examinations, and sentencing advocacy.
• Conduct one-on-one video reviews of attorney mock performances and courtroom trials.
• Review and provide structured developmental feedback on written advocacy (motions to suppress, sentencing memoranda).
• Co-counsel complex trials with junior attorneys to provide live, structured courtroom mentorship.
• Conduct statewide litigation needs assessments across MOPD’s 12 operational districts.
• Design and track metrics to evaluate the long-term classroom retention of trial skills.
• Partner with District Public Defenders and specialized divisions (e.g., Forensics, Mental Health) to incorporate advanced sciences into general trial defense.
• Maintain and update the division’s digital trial notebooks, manuals, and templates.
• Track attendance, manage certification credits, and complete standard agency data reporting.

Benefits

• Salary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State of Maryland employees.
• Visit the State of Maryland Employee’s page to review benefit information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level