Assistant Public Defender - Death Penalty

Job Description - Assistant Public Defender - Death Penalty (2600013U)

Assistant Public Defender - Death Penalty ( 2600013U )

Public Defender Commission

Mar 2, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation : $74,214 - $105,560

Full-time

Union :
Exempt from Union

Attorney/Legal

Technical Skills :
Attorney/Legal, Client Advocacy

Professional Skills :
Reasoning, Responsiveness, Written Communication

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.

We are committed to building a work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness and justice for all people.

Follow OPD on Facebook, Linked In, Instagram, and Threads | Visit our Website

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is seeking to hire an Assistant Public Defender (APD) in the Death Penalty Department.

APDs represent indigent death‑sentenced clients in all stages of post‑trial litigation and executive clemency. Post‑trial litigation may include direct appeal, post‑conviction, and federal habeas corpus litigation. The Death Penalty Department emphasizes a client‑centered, team approach to representation. APDs most often work with a team of other attorneys, mitigation specialists, fact investigators, and core administrative staff.

To be successful in the position, you will:

• Have a strong commitment to indigent defense and have the capacity and compassion to work with clients facing the ultimate penalty;
• Possess strong analytical and reasoning skills and be an effective and persuasive communicator – both written and verbal;
• Work collaboratively as a member of a defense team, including accepting and providing constructive feedback;
• Continually engage in professional development, focusing on advancements in the law, forensics, psychology, and other related fields;
• Think creatively to identify, develop, and litigate (with appropriate supervision and support) issues and theories during each stage of the proceedings, often with an emphasis on changing the narrative from the case presented at trial; and
• Maintain appropriate respect and professionalism with our clients, their families and supporters, victims and their families, witnesses, former jurors, attorneys, judges and courtroom staff, and others we encounter as we advocate for our clients.

Essential duties of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reviewing the capital trial record to identify potential errors and avenues for additional investigation;
• Investigating the facts of the underlying offense(s), the circumstances of the criminal trial and sentencing proceedings, the client’s personal and family history, and other relevant factors that have impacted the client’s development. This often includes investigating the impact of systemic racism, mass incarceration, childhood trauma, poverty, mental and physical illnesses, and other cultural and sociological experiences;
• Identifying and collaborating with experts in relevant fields, including capital defense (jury selection, trial practice, mitigation investigation, etc.), forensics, mental health, trauma, and other specialized areas of expertise as needed to fully investigate, prepare, and present the client’s case;
• Researching, briefing, and arguing cases on direct appeal to the Supreme Court of Ohio;
• Preparing and litigating post‑conviction petitions, including discovery requests, evidentiary hearings, and appellate briefing and arguments;
• Preparing and litigating habeas petitions, including discovery requests, evidentiary hearings, and appellate briefing and arguments; and
• Advocating for executive clemency, including developing a compelling narrative case, working with supporters from various…