Attorney- Public Defender

Full-time

No

# Attorney - Public Defender

## Overview

The Office of the Public Defender is looking for 3rd year law students to join as Public Defenders. As a Public Defender, you will be responsible for providing the most compassionate and expert defense of clients and the Constitution. You will be representing clients in court, during hearings or before other legal proceedings and government entities; including cases at the Montana Supreme Court as necessary. The position requires knowledge of legal and court policies, procedures, practices and their application with particular reference to indigent defense. It also requires knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations and their judicial interpretation and precedents.

## Benefits of Working for OPD

The Office of the Public Defender offers fantastic 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

## Responsibilities

The job duties and responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to the following:

- Represents clients in court, during hearings or before other legal proceedings and government entities; includes cases at the Montana Supreme Court as necessary.
- 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.
- Prepares appropriate findings of fact, conclusions of law, orders after appropriate legal proceedings.
- Prepares evidence, exhibits, and legal documents necessary to litigate cases.
- 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.
- Receives, researches, and responds to questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedure, and/or facilitates a resolution.
- Provides consultation, make recommendations, give appropriate legal advice, settlement negotiations, and/or facilitates legal decisions.
- Provides assistance and/or collaborates with other attorneys during trials and hearings.
- Handles cases with substantial legal precedent as well as analyzes, interprets, and advises about new laws that have no case precedent.
- May serve as a principal legal advisor in a specific field of law.
- Attends continuing education trainings as required and necessary.
- May provide office support as requested or as needed.

## Qualifications

This position requires:

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

Preferred:

- Previous experience in criminal defense

## Salary

The salary for this position is $ 81, - 94, Yearly.

## Contact

Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's Human Resources staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

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

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, methods and tactics employed in the defense of legal actions in courts, 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, 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, strong organization, time management, and oral written communication skills, skilled in use of standard office equipment, programs and software, ability to work effectively with marginalized populations, ability to understand and be sensitive to cultural differences that may affect the attorney/client relationship and communications, ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with others, ability to learn and understand the principles and practices of evidence collection, ability to research and analyze documents, able to maintain professionalism when critiqued, and ability to discern when to consult with peers to avoid unnecessary research or argument.

Submit application online, as well as upload any required application materials

Qualification and Experience Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school, Membership in the State Bar of Montana

Legal