Attorney- Public Defender

Full-time

No

Job Overview for Attorney - Public Defender

The Office of the Public Defender is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Attorney – Public Defender. The selected candidate will be responsible for providing legal defense in cases that may be high-profile, involve significant liability exposure or death penalty, life in prison.

Required Qualifications

Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
Membership in the State Bar of Montana.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience in criminal defense.

Responsibilities

Represents clients in court, during hearings or before other legal proceedings and government entities.
Provides legal defense in cases that may be high-profile, involve significant liability exposure or death penalty, life in prison.
Reviews and prepares legal documents including but not limited to opinions, forms, contracts and/or other legal agreements.
Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules.
Identifies and Interviews parties, witnesses, and experts involved during the legal proceedings and prepares parties to testify.
Serves as a legal advisor across multiple fields of law; may develop expertise in specific fields of law and provide training and guidance as necessary.
Attends continuing education trainings as required and necessary.
May serve as a principal legal advisor in a specific field of law.
May provide office support as requested or as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of legal and court policies, procedures, practices and their application with particular reference to indigent defense.
State and federal laws, rules and regulations and their judicial interpretation and precedents.
Familiarity of methods and tactics employed in the defense of legal actions in courts.
Knowledge of criminal law and the law of criminal procedure and its application in the State of Montana.
Continuing obligation to stay abreast of changes and developments in the law with legal research; including learning and using the agency endorsed legal research program.
Knowledge of Titles 40 (Uniform Parentage Act), 41 (Montana Youth Court Act) (Child Abuse and Neglect), 45 (Crimes), 46 (Criminal Procedure), 47 (Access to Legal Services), 53 (Mental Disorder),61 (Motor Vehicles), 87 (Fish and Wildlife), Montana Code Annotated? Rules of Evidence, Rules of Appellate Procedures, and other title provisions.
Classification of mental disorders and the ability to read and understand medical terminology related to mental disorders, developmental disabilities, chemical dependence and alcoholism, and how a particular mental disorder, developmental disability, chemical dependence or alcoholism will affect client communications and should recognize that communications may require special efforts on the part of counsel.
Ability to work effectively with marginalized populations, who are disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system in Montana.
Ability to understand and be sensitive to cultural differences that may affect the attorney/client relationship and communications.
Statutory requirements governing guardianship and conservatorship in the jurisdiction as well as case law and court rules? various types of pleas that may be agreed to; services available to youth, minors; as well as mental health and social services that may be available in the community.
Skilled in use of standard office equipment, programs and software.
Strong organization, time management, and oral written communication skills.
Ability to learn, understand and consistently utilize the agency case management system.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with others.
Ability to learn and understand the principles and practices of evidence collection.
Ability to effectively research and analyze documents.
Able to maintain professionalism when critiqued.
Ability to discern when to consult with peers to avoid unnecessary research or argument.
Ability to work independently on arguments with multiple issues.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: $ 81, - 94, Yearly
Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)
Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Overview of the Office of the Public Defender

The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) is dedicated to providing the most compassionate and expert defense of clients and the Constitution. We strive to create expert teams of advocates for justice, bringing respect and dignity to our clients to achieve holistic and equitable outcomes.

We are proud to serve the people of Montana and to ensure the system remains fair. With offices located in Butte, Billings, Missoula, Miles City, Helena, Kalispell, Polson, Glendive, Lewistown, Hamilton, Bozeman, and Great Falls, OPD is dedicated to providing quality legal services to indigent people in the state of Montana.

Benefits of Working for OPD

The Office of the Public Defender offers a variety of benefits to its employees, including:

Health Coverage
Retirement plans
Paid vacation, sick leave and Holidays
Work/life balance
Flexible schedules
Opportunities and room for professional growth
Telework (when applicable)
Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan

Health Coverage, Retirement Plans, Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Holidays, Work/life Balance, Flexible Schedules, Opportunities and Room for Professional Growth, Telework, Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Legal Research, Knowledge of State and Federal Laws, Knowledge of Court Policies and Procedures, Knowledge of Criminal Law and its Application, Knowledge of Statutory Requirements, Knowledge of Classification of Mental Disorders, Time Management, Oral and Written Communication, Ability to Work with Marginalized Populations, Ability to Understand and be Sensitive to Cultural Differences, Ability to use Standard Office Equipment, Programs and Software

Juris Doctorate Degree

Submit application and required materials online

Qualification and Experience Juris Doctorate Degree and Membership in the State Bar of Montana

Legal