Experienced Attorney: District Vi Assistant Public Defender Ii & Iii

Introduction

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks experienced and zealous litigators to serve as Assistant Public Defenders in Montgomery County, Maryland. Assistant Public Defenders provide exceptional representation to their clients demonstrated through skilled litigation, tenacious advocacy inand outside of court and a commitment to client-centered representation. MOPD is committed tocultivating a robust and culturally diverse team and strongly encourages applicants from all backgroundsto apply, including those from historically underrepresented in the practice of law.

The Montgomery County office is a suburban Public Defender office with approximately 60 employeesproviding representation to qualifying individuals in criminal, juvenile and some select civil matters.

MOPD’s vision of Justice, Fairness, and Dignity for All is reflected by our commitment to core values of aculture of excellence, client-centered representation, tenacious advocacy, and unity of purpose in achieving our mission. At MOPD we use our legal education and experience to fight for justice andfairness, and to provide a strong voice to those who have been traditionally made voiceless in our society.

Our unique talents, identities, educational backgrounds, and perspectives guide us in representing our clients. We stand up against prejudice, systemic racism, and inequity in all of the spaces we occupy.

MOPD seeks candidates who will join us in providing compassionate, competent, zealous, and client-centered representation to all of our clients. Refer to the MOPD website to learn more about our mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

ASTD 21, ASTD 22

Rockville, MD

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION:
This position is for an experienced Assistant Public Defender. The position requires a willingness tolearn, train, and practice exceptional trial skills, innovative thinking, investigative skills, and the ability towork as a team in managing an active and substantial district court caseload. Attorneys work in conjunction with social workers, investigators, and core staff in a team-oriented environment to representqualifying clients. Attorneys must be able to balance a client-centered approach to representation withadvocacy to address systemic inequity and the collateral consequences that lead to deeper systeminvolvement.

Available positions will focus their practice primarily in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. Being an Assistant Public Defender requires an exceptional level of dedication to the mission of MOPDand its clients and involves a substantial commitment of time and effort; applicants should be prepared todiscuss and demonstrate the same.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Passionate and zealous representation of clients at every stage of the legal process, in and outside ofcourt.
• Maintain effective and consistent communication with clients, who are incarcerated or in the community,to ensure that individuals we represent are consistently heard and respected. For clients who areincarcerated, it is expected that attorneys will regularly travel to the place of incarceration and visit clientsthere to engage in substantive discussions of their cases.
• Conducts substantive legal research, writing and analysis, to specifically include briefing the courts onchanges in laws, legislation, procedural rules, court decisions, and other legal precedent, in preparation for hearings and trial.
• Coordinate and compassionately communicate with clients, team members, colleagues, and service providers to ensure optimal outcomes for clients.
• Counsel and advise clients on changes in law, court decisions, legal issues and options.
• Negotiates with prosecutors and other parties to establish agreements to resolve cases favorably forthe client.
• Resourcefully manage a full and significant caseload of felony cases from initial appearance to post-sentencing stages for each assigned client.
• Continuously seek professional and personal development through trainings, CLEs, and trial skillscourses; and meet all MOPD CLE requirements.
• Other duties as assigned by the Public Defender, District Public Defender, and other supervisoryauthorities.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND REQUIREMENTS:
Demonstrate commitment to serving communities who have been pushed to the margins. Clear dedication to upending systemic racism, prejudice, and unfairness in the criminal justice system. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds and lived experiences. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, diverse, team-oriented environment. Exceptional organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary to handle a high caseload.

Strong legal writing and research skills. Strong oral advocacy skills. Ability to type, use and regularly communicate via email, and utilize Microsoft Office Suite. Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or another state. Prior…