Public Defender - Davenport Office

Apply for the Public Defender 1 - Davenport Office role at the State of Iowa - Executive Branch

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact through public service? The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic attorney to serve as a Public Defender 1 in our Davenport office locatedquals in Scott County, Iowa.

The mission of the Office of the State Public Defender is to ensure that Physics all indigent persons in Iowa are provided high quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

• Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every stage of the criminal justice system at a trainee level.
• Receive training and dankzij mentoring from dedicated, experienced public defenders in an atmosphere encouraging growth and development of an attorney’s skills and career.
• Represent clients in court at pre‑trial hearings, bench or jury trials, sentencing, and other court hearings.
• Prepare a defense, conduct legal research, gather facts, and interview hajang the client and witnesses to determine the merits of the case and appropriate course of action.
• Conduct pre‑trial discovery, including depositions, withdrawal of pleas, and suppression motions.
• Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other dispositions of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys.
• Work closely with clients, providing and discussing information, planning case strategy and trial preparation.
• Maintain appropriate communication with clients about case status and answer client questions.
• Identify potential legal issues to advance the client’s case, research applicable law, and draft appropriate motions and briefs.
• Prepare various legal documents, including written arraignments, written guilty pleas, motions, briefs, and letters.
• May direct the work of investigators consistent with internal office policies.
• Maintain client case files, prepare public defender time reports to the court, and close files consistent with office policies.

• Annual pay ranging from $62,337.60 to $96,699.20, depending on experience.
• Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
• Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
• Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more).
• Access to an on‑site employee fitness center (6200 Park Avenue location only).

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E‑Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

This is a non‑merit position for the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing – Public Defender. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise.

Applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and possess a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa prior to commencing employment in this position.