Managing Public Defender-Conflict

State of Montana • Missoula, MT

1d

About The Position

This position oversees and manages all public defender services within assigned regions of the Conflict Defender Office. The Managing Attorney performs a variety of difficult and complex criminal defense, administrative, liaison, and supervisory duties. Duties include determining whether or not a conflict exists within a referred case and assigning the cases appropriately, Establishing to ensure prompt counsel, ensures that public defender assignments within the Conflict Public Defender Office comply with comply with the provisions of MCA 47-1-202. This position Implements the standards and procedures established by the Conflict Defender Division Administrator and the Office of the State Public Defender within the Conflict Defender Offices.
Additionally, this position maintains a client caseload as determined by the Conflict Defender Division Administrator. Responsibilities include handling all phases of multi-forum litigation for indigent clients in a variety of typical to more complex and high-profile cases. Position is also responsible for providing mentoring to the developing Public Defenders in their representation of indigent clients as described in the Montana Public Defender Act. Duties include researching and preparing a legal defense based on the facts, investigations, and legal research and keeping clients informed and prepared for all stages of representation including various hearings, proceedings and/or trials depending on the type of case to ensure clients are actively and efficiently represented. The Managing Attorney reports to the Conflict Defender Division Administrator, hires and manages public defenders and support staff, oversees contract services and performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school
• Membership in the State Bar of Montana
• Able to energize and provide strong leadership.
• Able to provide a balanced approach to providing public defender services by balancing the needs of the client with the limited resources available to the division.
• Able to implement agency and division policies based on short and long-term strategic planning goals, management concepts and practices.
• Able to recognize, analyze and solve complex management problems.
• Able to assess hypothetical situations and impacts; consolidate a unified strategy in response to numerous issues and concerns; make proper and timely decisions in stressful situations.
• Able to direct a complex organization through effective planning, delegation and leadership.
• Able to accept the direction of the Director in carrying out policy.
• Able to gain respect and manage and utilize the skills of staff.
• Able to provide supervision and organizational direction and to demonstrate extensive knowledge of change, personnel, and budget management.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication, negotiation, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Possess strong relationship-building skills, including the ability to communicate effectively across diverse groups and to build trust and credibility in working relationships.
• Demonstrated commitment to the state and the mission of the public defender system.
• Extensive knowledge of legal and court policies, procedures, practices, terminology and systems; state and federal laws, rules and regulations; and public defense.
• Knowledge and experience in public administration, public relations, government organization, lobbying, state budgeting, and legislative processes.

Nice To Haves

• Ideal candidate will have at least five years of progressively responsible management experience including supervision of professional and support staff, budgeting, organizational and operational functions; and practical experience in law preferably in litigation of criminal and civil law involving public defense actions.

Responsibilities

• Client Representation
• Provides client Consultation & Case Assessment.
• Assess, researches, and prepares a legal defense based on the facts, investigations, and legal issues to ensure quality representation and diligent advocacy for the client at all stages of representation in civil, criminal, juvenile, involuntary commitment, or dependent/neglect cases.
• Represents clients in Court, Trials, & at all Official Proceedings; ensures clients are actively and efficiently represented at each of the various requisite official proceedings of their case.
• Reviews and prepares legal documents, opinions, forms, contracts, permits, and other legal agreements.
• Prepares appropriate findings of fact, conclusions of law, orders for judgement(s) after administrative and court proceedings.
• Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules.
• Interviews parties, witnesses, and experts involved during the legal proceedings.
• Receives, researches, and responds to questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedure, and/or facilitates a resolution.
• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate legal advice, settlement negotiations, and/or facilitates legal decisions
• Ensures collaboration and/or provides assistance or collaborates with Public Defenders or other attorneys during trials and hearings.
• Provides direction and guidance and responsible for cases with substantial legal precedent as well as analyzes, interprets, and advises about new laws that have no case precedent.
• Serves as a legal advisor across multiple fields of law.
• Administrative Management
• Ensures resource usage in the assigned Office and the Conflict Division is fiscally sound using both employee and contract services.
• Ensure processes are in place to accurately and timely collect and report data and information critical to the operation of the office, division and the agency.
• Ensure that quality administrative management procedures are in place.
• Review all potential conflicts of interest referred to the office and make the final determination regarding whether a conflict exists.
• Oversees contract services.
• Ensure compliance with the agency’s Practice Standards to promote excellence and professionalism in representation to those entitled to counsel at public expense.
• Ensure office personnel, contractors and clients are aware of avenues available for bringing forward complaints about public defender performance.
• Ensure proper caseload management in accordance with agency policy and procedures.
• Provide assistance in resolving conflicts of interest in an appropriate and ethical manner.
• Manage highly sensitive public, political and division-specific issues.
• Supervision
• Supervises public defenders and support staff within the office.
• Ensures that there is an active and robust performance evaluation process for all office employees and contractors.
• Ensures that employees and contractors are receiving training and mentoring to be successful in performing work assignments.
• Oversees progressive discipline in a union environment.
• Ensure that assignments of counsel for capital cases are consistent with standards issued by the Montana Supreme Court.
• Provides training and guidance to public defenders.
• Public Relations and Other Duties as Assigned
• Develop relationships with prosecutors, judges, law enforcement, corrections, elected officials, non-profit organizations, and other interested parties to further the agency’s mission and promote successful outcomes for indigent persons.
• Develop and cultivate relationships with contract attorneys who provide services to the agency.
• Represent the agency at local, state, and national meetings.
• May respond directly to inquiries from the media, professional organizations and the public and may defend agency decisions.
• May testify in legislative hearings regarding the operation of the division, including on legislation impacting the agency, budget matters, and other agency operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Work/life balance
• Flexible schedules
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Telework (when applicable)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive public service loan forgiveness – visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn more!

What This Job Offers

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