Bilingual Entry Level Staff Attorney-Fall, 2025--Spanish/English

Orleans Public Defenders’ is currently seeking Bilingual (Spanish/English) Entry Level Staff Attorneys to start Fall, 2025, who believe in our mission to fight for our clients by providing excellent client-centered representation, reforming the system, and partnering with the community in New Orleans. We fight for dignity, justice and hope each day.

Vision 

Dignity. Justice. Hope. 

Mission 

The mission of the Orleans Public Defenders is to fight for our clients by providing excellent client-centered representation, reforming the system, and partnering with the community.

We represent thousands of people each year utilizing a client-centered, community-oriented defense model that puts the client first and takes a 360-degree approach to our advocacy and representation. We recognize our clients are unique individuals and work to address their needs both in the court and out. Our diverse staff includes adult and juvenile attorneys; social workers; client, youth and parent advocates; investigators, and administrators all working together for equal justice for our clients, their families, our community, and a better New Orleans. In short, we protect innocence, defend the constitution, demand justice, and hold power accountable.

OPD is committed to providing zealous client-centered, community-oriented defense.  Each client's needs are supported by a dedicated legal team.  Our attorneys defend clients against criminal charges in Criminal, Municipal and Traffic, and Juvenile Court immediately following arrest all the way through sentencing and post-conviction.  Our client-centered approach focuses on serving the client's interest and meeting their individual needs to achieve the best outcome for each client. 

 Job Duties: 

The primary role of the Bilingual Entry Level Staff Attorney is to zealously represent the client in criminal proceedings. The Bilingual Staff Attorney will carry a caseload with Spanish speaking clients and/or witnesses, as well as a partial caseload involving non-Spanish speaking clients and/or witnesses.  

All Staff Attorneys (to the extent possible) are to maintain a continuing duty to be the client.  Staff Attorneys counsel and render or assist in securing appropriate legal services for the client in matters arising from the original criminal proceedings and maintain contact to ensure the protection of the client's rights so long as the client remains under court jurisdiction.  All attorneys benefit from a comprehensive in-house training program.

The Bilingual Entry Level Staff Attorney acts as court-appointed counsel representing clients with misdemeanors and/or felony charges in all phases of criminal proceedings, including arraignment, pretrial hearings, trial preparation, plea negotiations, trial and sentencing.  The Staff Attorney is responsible for the investigation and preparation of assigned cases. Staff attorneys are responsible for the investigation and preparation of assigned cases and must comply with all legal standards and requirements.  

More specifically, the Bilingual Entry Level Staff Attorney’s duties will include:

• Interview client as assigned to determine the facts of the case. Review police reports and other reports to evaluate each case against the state of the law to determine its relative strengths and weaknesses to prepare for plea negotiations, development of case strategy, and trial preparation.
• Meet with clients to evaluate options and strategies. Keep clients reasonably informed of the status of their case and promptly respond to reasonable requests for information. Explain to clients matters reasonably necessary to make informed decisions about their cases.
• Conduct pre-trial negotiations. Conduct bench and jury trials. Prepare and argue trial motions as needed.
• Investigate, respond and represent the client’s interest in plea bargain negotiations.
• Coordinate or conduct the case investigation for trial preparation as necessary. Arrange for tests of physical evidence, the testimony of expert witnesses and interview witnesses as required.
• Conduct all trial actions including cross and direct examination, introduction of evidence and exhibits and make arguments on the law and interpretation of the evidence.
• Represent client in all legal proceedings including, but not limited to first appearance hearings, preliminary hearings, pre-adjudication motions, guilty pleas and post-conviction matters, such as restitution hearings and revocation hearings, sentence reviews, modifications and terminations. Present defense recommendations for case disposition.
• Prioritize and plan cases and work activities using resources effectively. Plan for additional resources and integrate changes smoothly and in a timely manner.
• Ensure client in custody have 24-hour access to a public defender (at least able to leave a message), such as in cases of persons in custody need counsel before deciding whether to submit to a breath or blood test.
• Perform other duties or projects as assigned, including attending conferences/meetings on behalf of the Office.

 Essential Selection Criteria:  

• Degree from an ABA accredited law school;
• Fluent in Spanish and able to conduct interviews in Spanish;
• The ability to communicate effectively with clients, witnesses, colleagues, staff and court personnel orally and in writing - both in English and Spanish.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with clients in poverty and from diverse cultural backgrounds;
• Cultural competency in Spanish speaking communities;
• Demonstrated skill in legal research and writing; 
• Knowledge of and commitment to the national standards of criminal defense performance;
• Proficiency with word processor software and legal research software;
• Membership of Louisiana bar.
• NOTE:  CANDIDATES WITH A WILLINGNESS TO TAKE THE JULY 2025 LOUISIANA BAR EXAM ARE ALSO CONSIDERED FOR HIRE. ALL HIRES MUST SUCCESSFULLY PASS THE JULY 2025 OR PRIOR BAR EXAM AND BECOME LICENSED IN LOUISIANA. 

Compensation: 

This is a full-time position with competitive salary and benefits. Non-barred staff members (Entry Level Staff Attorneys in program) begin as paralegal, while they await the results of the Louisiana bar. Bilingual Paralegal salaries increase once the staff member successfully passes the bar and becomes a barred attorney.

• $63,000 upon membership with Louisiana State Bar Association ($47,000 prior to bar passage); Salary includes a $3K Spanish bonus
• Retirement Plan Contributions (Employer contribution up to 6% of employee salary) 
• Employee Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverages (Employer Paid)
• Employee Life & AD&D policy (Employer Paid) with options to buy-up
• Generous Paid Vacation, Sick, and Parental Leave
• Holidays Paid (Federal, State, and Orleans Courts observed)
• Discount Plan (no cost) 
• Flexible Work Schedule

How to Apply: 

Those interested in the program must submit the following no later than 5:00 pm CST, Friday, January 31, 2025: 

 Apply to OPD Here

1. Online application
2. Cover Letter (Statement of Interest)
3. Writing Sample in Spanish and English

4. Resume/CV
5. Transcript (unofficial)

6. Three (3) References

Applications are being considered on a rolling basis until positions are filled.  

Incomplete applications will not be considered. All documentation should be submitted in PDF format.  If we are unable to open your documents due to formatting issues, that will be considered an incomplete application. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted for further information. No phone calls please.
 

Orleans Public Defenders is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of our hiring process.  If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Sharee Garnett, Director, Human Resources, 504-827-8179 / 504-821-8101, SGarnett@opdla.org.

OPD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation.