Supervising Assistant Public Defender - Trumbull County Office

Intentional omission of relevant information, falsification, or misrepresentation of information on the application will disqualify the applicant. In addition, such intentional acts are grounds for immediate termination of an employee.

Final candidates selected for this position will be required to undergo a drug test. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment. Final candidates selected for this position will also be required to undergo a criminal background check and state income tax check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

This position serves at the pleasure and discretion of the State Public Defender. This position serves in a fiduciary relationship to the State Public Defender and will have an unclassified status per Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (9).

You will supervise Assistant Public Defenders, maintain a complex caseload, and serve as a mission‑driven member of the Trumbull County Supervisor team reporting to the Trumbull County Office Director. The Trumbull County Office provides criminal defense representation to clients who cannot otherwise afford an attorney in the courts in Trumbull County. You will directly supervise Assistant Public Defenders (APDs) serving in the various Trumbull County Courts, and you will maintain a complex caseload as lead attorney or co‑counsel representing indigent trial‑level clients.

You will also work with your team to build and maintain productive working relationships with judicial and court staff and the central OPD office.

To be successful in this position, you would benefit from strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, a familiarity with applicable court staff and local procedure, experience in the teaching and mentoring attorneys, and a strong legal acumen.

This position is an in‑office/in‑court position. The office is open to the public 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Directly supervise attorneys practicing in the criminal courts of Trumbull County.
• Coach and develop staff (hold team meetings and one‑on‑one meetings; set meaningful goals and provide support; complete timely performance evaluations).
• As a member of the office leadership team, assist in the formation of office and agency policy; attend meetings as assigned; may be required to work on specific projects as assigned; may instruct and assist outside counsel in fields of expertise; may be temporarily assigned to perform duties of a Managing Assistant Public Defender at the direction of the State Public Defender.
• Represent indigent criminal defendants as co‑counsel or lead counsel at the trial level.
• Conduct legal research, prepare briefs, memoranda, motions, and pleadings.
• Correspond and meet with clients to explain legal strategies.
• Correspond with clients regarding their legal issues & incarceration.
• Recommend candidates for hire (e.g., screen and interview applicants for vacant positions).
• Perform other necessary related legal and administrative work as directed by Managing Assistant Public Defender of the Trumbull County Office, Assistant Director or State Public Defender.

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01; 12 months experience as licensed attorney practicing criminal law; 6 months experience in employee training & development.

Note:

Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme Court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.

Coun.

R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases.

Note:

Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs…