Capital Counsel

State of Oklahoma • Norman, OK

2d • $70,000

About The Position

The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS), the statewide public defender agency serving indigent clients throughout Oklahoma except Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, is seeking a full-time Capital Counsel for its Capital Defenders Division. The position may be based in the Norman or Sapulpa office. Positions may be filled at Levels I–V depending on candidate experience.

The Capital Counsel provides legal representation in assigned capital cases through all phases and within the bounds and forums provided by law, consistent with the American Bar Association's 1989 Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Counsel in Death Penalty Cases. The role also provides consultation and support to other attorneys and staff and performs administrative duties as needed.

The position requires a Juris Doctor degree and active membership in good standing with the State Bar of Oklahoma, or eligibility for admission. The attorney must abide by the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct and be willing and able to undertake the job-related travel normally associated with the position.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of Oklahoma, or eligibility for admission.
• Knowledge of Oklahoma procedures and laws related to capital-case sentencing and the American Bar Association's 1989 Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Counsel in Death Penalty Cases.
• Knowledge of appropriate client communication throughout trial and procedures for death-qualifying and life-qualifying potential jurors, including techniques for rehabilitating potential jurors.
• Ability to advocate for clients in capital cases and ensure their constitutional rights are maintained throughout all phases of trial.
• Ability to prepare legal documents through post-judgment proceedings, meet timelines, perform activities across all phases of a capital case, and keep clients informed so they understand their cases and can make informed decisions.
• Skills in critical thinking, legal research, written and oral communication, attention to detail, and sound judgment and decision-making.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Must abide by the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Must be willing and able to fulfill job-related travel normally associated with the position.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned cases until they are concluded or reassigned.
• Communicate with clients throughout the case in accordance with agency policy and standards so they can make informed decisions about legal representation.
• Communicate with clients’ friends and family to obtain relevant information without disclosing privileged communications or confidential information.
• Conduct independent and expeditious investigations into guilt or innocence and the penalty phase; collect and maintain evidence according to applicable standards and laws.
• Prepare for trial by filing pretrial motions, developing plea negotiation strategies based on jurisdictional practices and policies and client input, securing expert assistance, and formulating a defense theory based on investigative information.
• Conduct ongoing legal research to identify issues and prepare arguments and motions for briefing.
• Prepare for jury selection by considering legal challenges to the selection procedure and developing questions and challenges to assess potential jurors’ suitability.
• Preserve applicable legal errors for appellate review.
• Prepare for sentencing by applying Oklahoma capital-sentencing procedures and law, offering reasonably available mitigating and favorable information consistent with the defense, and preventing harm to the client from improper, inaccurate, or misleading information offered in support of the death penalty.
• Prepare for post-judgment proceedings by discussing them with the client, taking appropriate action to preserve the client’s right to review, and cooperating with subsequent counsel as needed regarding trial proceedings.
• Serve as co-counsel when assigned.
• Provide consultation, advice, assistance, and support to other attorneys and staff.
• Perform administrative duties as needed.

Benefits

• Generous state-paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
• Choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations.
• Life, supplemental life, dependent life, and disability insurance plans.
• Flexible spending accounts for health care or dependent care expenses.
• Employee assistance program and health and fitness programs.
• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave in the first year for full-time employees, with amounts increasing with years of service.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
• Longevity bonus for years of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree