Public Defender 2 - Sioux City Juvenile - PTPF
About The Position
The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office is seeking an attorney to serve as a Public Defender 2 for the Project to Preserve Families in Woodbury County, Iowa. The Project uses a team of professionals to provide indigent clients with legal and family-centered services intended to prevent court involvement and subsequent removals. The attorney assists families with matters including child custody; guardianships and conservatorships; Chapter 236 protective orders; landlord-tenant issues; basic criminal matters, including clearing warrants; driver’s licensing; and other issues approved by the State Public Defender. The role involves working closely with clients, planning case strategy and trial preparation, communicating about case status, researching applicable law, identifying legal issues, drafting motions and briefs, preparing other legal documents and letters, maintaining case files, submitting time reports to the court, and closing files in accordance with office policies. Training and mentoring from experienced public defenders are provided. The Office of the State Public Defender’s mission is to ensure indigent persons in Iowa receive high-quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings efficiently and responsibly. The office describes its team culture as committed to community service and respect for work-life balance.
Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited law school.
- Current license to practice law in the State of Iowa.
- At least two years of full-time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution; or current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes at least 18 months of full-time work as a Public Defender 1.
Responsibilities
- Assist families with child custody matters.
- Assist families with guardianship and conservatorship matters.
- Assist families with Chapter 236 protective orders.
- Assist families with landlord-tenant issues.
- Assist families with basic criminal matters, including clearing warrants.
- Assist families with driver’s licensing matters and other issues approved by the State Public Defender.
- Work closely with clients, provide and discuss information, and plan case strategy and trial preparation.
- Communicate appropriately with clients about case status and answer their questions.
- Identify potential legal issues, research applicable law, and draft appropriate motions and briefs.
- Prepare legal documents, motions, briefs, and letters.
- Maintain client case files, prepare public defender time reports for the court, and close files in accordance with office policies.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual
- Professional development opportunities
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package
- Employer-sponsored Retirement Investors Club plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee discount programs
- Access to an on-site employee fitness center at the 6200 Park Avenue location only
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
