Defense Counsel (Enid)

State of Oklahoma • Enid, OK

3d • $68,700 • Onsite

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 Defense Counsel for its Non-Capital Trial Division in the Enid office. The role may be filled at Levels I–VI, depending on the candidate’s experience.

Defense Counsel represent indigent individuals in state court at the trial level in felony, misdemeanor, juvenile delinquency, traffic, and wildlife cases. Counsel provide competent legal advice and zealous advocacy at every phase of the criminal trial process.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Active membership in and good standing with the State Bar of Oklahoma, eligibility for admission, or a scheduled date to take the Oklahoma Bar Exam.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws; regulations for non-capital trials; constitutional law and the Oklahoma Constitution; agency policies and procedures; trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; and legal research and writing methods and techniques.
• Skills in critical thinking, legal research, written and oral communication, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), attention to detail, sound judgment, and decision-making.
• Ability to present facts and law; articulate positions clearly and logically in writing and orally; analyze, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, agency policies, and procedures; conduct difficult independent research and apply legal principles and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems; conduct research using Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis, the Oklahoma State Court Network, and printed or internet-based legal resources; meet timelines while following Oklahoma statutes; and represent the agency professionally.
• 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 cases and maintain complete, accurate files of pleadings and orders.
• Communicate with clients about all aspects of their cases, including plea negotiations and post-judgment proceedings, in accordance with agency policy and standards so clients can make informed decisions about their representation.
• Communicate with clients’ friends and family to obtain pertinent information without disclosing privileged communications or confidential information.
• Conduct independent, expeditious investigations concerning clients’ guilt or innocence and potential sentences.
• Collect and maintain evidence acquired through investigations in accordance with established standards and laws.
• Prepare for trial by filing pretrial motions, developing plea-negotiation strategies with clients’ input and in light of jurisdictional practices and policies, securing expert assistance, and formulating defense theories based on investigative information.
• Conduct ongoing legal research to identify new issues and prepare arguments on motions.
• Prepare for jury selection by considering legal challenges to selection procedures and developing questions and challenges to assess prospective jurors.
• Preserve legal error for appellate review on all applicable grounds.
• Serve as co-counsel as assigned.
• Provide consultation, advice, assistance, and support to other attorneys and staff.
• Perform administrative duties when requested.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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