LVL 6 Team Lead Attorney (Internal Promotion Only)

City of Indianapolis and Marion County•Indianapolis, IN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Marion County Public Defender Agency provides legal representation for Marion County citizens who cannot afford to hire their own lawyer in matters involving liberty interests, including criminal cases. Our services are provided as a public service. We work with the felony, misdemeanor, Title IV D, civil commitment, and juvenile courts. We also work on cases related to termination of parental rights as well as appeals. Our agency also offers education, services, and programs focused on different ways to serve jail sentences. This position is responsible for supervising attorney staff and indirectly supervising paralegal staff. It provides leadership on special projects as directed by the Chief acting. The role acts as a liaison to assigned court, client community, the general public, and other governmental entities. It provides consultation and assistance regarding specific matters within an identified area of expertise and reinforces the mission, vision, and core values of the agency. Independent judgment is regularly utilized when there are no available policies and procedures. Independent actions and judgment are exercised in making decisions that are complex in nature and have considerable impact on Public Defender Agency policy. Decisions and actions may be controlled by state and federal laws. The incumbent is expected to exercise initiative, creativity, and independent problem-solving skills.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate
Licensed to practice law
2 years of criminal litigation experience
Experience litigating 2 jury trials as lead counsel
Primarily assigned to Level 6 and Level 5 felony cases including both bench trials and jury trials.
Strong verbal, written, communication and presentation skills
Top level interpersonal and facilitation skills.
Computer knowledge a must.
Must have valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience
Major Felony experience

Responsibilities

Appears in court to provide effective representation of counsel to indigent persons in the Division to which they are assigned.
Supervises a courtroom team comprised of attorneys, paralegals and other support staff in Level 6 in order to provide a team approach to litigation.
Aids in scheduling, assigning cases, case reviews and holding team meetings.
Participates in performance reviews and maintaining performance standards.
Aids in the training of the staff to meet the particular needs of the court in which they practice.
Aids in development of litigation strategies.
Acts as co-counsel with team members on difficult cases.
Assignments also includes covering Level 6 initial hearings and violations of probation.
Mentor to attorneys new to team and provides lead and litigation assistance in complex Level 6 felonies as well as advising division supervisors of discipline and substandard representation issues within the team.
Acts as first liaison with the judge and court staff.
Provides litigation assistance and training to the Agency on criminal litigation issues.
Conducts legal and factual review of the case evaluates legal and factual evidence for, or against, client.
Engages in pre-trial, motion practice; and takes and defends depositions.
Consults with client, interviews witnesses, consults with medical, forensic, DNA or other experts as needed to effectively represent client.
Consults with opposing counsel to negotiate case disposition to include plea agreements and other disposition, including litigating case to the court or trying to jury.
Discuss courtroom policies with the correlating prosecutor supervisor.
Communicates with clients through regular methods to include telephone conversations, in person interviews, and jail consultations.
Reviews and updates court files keeps client and families updated on case progress.
Reviews attorney files for proper content including time keeping and maintenance of discovery and other materials.
Directs and supervises team relevant to high profile litigation, including mitigation specialists, factual investigators, expert witnesses, etc.
Must maintain confidentiality at all times.