Trial Services Deputy Director - County Indigent Defense System

Trial Services Deputy Director – County Indigent Defense System (250006HU) Organization

Public Defender Commission

Feb 2, 2026

United States of America, Ohio, Franklin County, Columbus

Target compensation range: $137,000 – $145,000. Overall salary range: $45,198 – $157,560.

Full‑time

• Attorney/Legal
• Executive Leadership

• Building Trust
• Coaching
• Decision Making
• Innovation
• Negotiation
• Strategic Thinking

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney. Our Mission:
Advocating, Fighting, Helping. Our Vision: A Fair Justice System. Our Values:
Compassion, Dignity, Equity, Integrity, Service, Community.

The OPD is seeking a passionate, organized, and strategic indigent defense leader to join its executive leadership team as a Trial Services Deputy Director. The role supports effective indigent defense delivery systems in counties throughout Ohio, negotiates contracts, recruits and supports contract attorneys, builds relationships with judges and prosecutors, and supervises a team of three trial attorneys.

• Multi‑county program operations
  • Manage negotiations for indigent defense systems in Adams, Athens, Brown, Fayette, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, and Washington counties.
  • Negotiate contract provisions with county officials and private attorneys.
  • Work with judges, prosecutors, contract attorneys, and county commissioners.
  • Recruit, place, and monitor contract attorneys to ensure compliance with ethical and legal obligations.
  • Establish and sustain beneficial business relationships.
  • Collaborate with training staff to assess and manage professional development needs of contract counsel.
  • Assist agency teams in reviewing personal service contracts for legal compliance.
  • Assess current indigent defense systems through site visits, analyze data, answer regulatory questions, and recommend changes to standards and guidelines.
• Advisory capacity
  • Assist in the formulation of policies, procedures, administrative rules, agency budget, and evaluation of proposed legislation affecting operations.
• Personnel management
  • Directly supervise attorneys: approve work schedules, address concerns, provide coaching, conduct performance reviews, and plan succession.
  • Oversee budgets and financial resources supporting strategic initiatives.
• Special projects and other duties
  • Collaborate on development of onboarding and professional development programs for trial‑level attorneys.
  • Provide legal advice to county public defenders and private bar members on criminal law matters.
  • Serve as an attorney‑at‑law to represent indigent defendants across the state, handling a reduced caseload when required.

This position requires in‑office time and extensive travel throughout Ohio, with occasional out‑of‑state travel. The office location will be in the Columbus office.

Application instructions:
Submit a resume and a cover letter indicating why you are best qualified for this position and why you are the best fit for the Ohio Public Defender’s Office.

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after eligibility period
• Paid time off: vacation, personal, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave
• Education and development opportunities (employee development funds, public service loan forgiveness, and more)
• Public retirement systems: OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS, plus optional deferred compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

• Admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01
• 18 months experience as a licensed attorney practicing criminal law
• 6 months experience or training in supervisory principles and techniques
• Job
  
  Skills:
  
  Executive Leadership, Attorney/Legal, Strategic Thinking, Building Trust, Decision Making, Innovation, Negotiation, Coaching

Intentional omission of relevant information, falsification, or misrepresentation on the application will disqualify the applicant. Such acts are grounds for immediate termination. Final candidates will undergo a drug test and a criminal background check; a positive drug test disqualifies the applicant.

Ohio is a disability inclusion state and is committed to providing access, inclusion, and reasonable accommodations in all employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug‑free workplace that prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non‑medical cannabis). Additional restrictions may apply under the State of Ohio Drug‑Free Workplace Policy (HR‑39).