Assistant Public Defender

SALARY GRADE: Flat Rated

This position is being reposted. Previous applicants do not need to re-apply.

We are seekingNC licensed attorneys with experience inrepresenting adults in criminal court, juvenile defense, and parents in abuse, neglect, and dependency matters.

The Duplin County Office of the Public Defender represents indigent clients in all criminal and juvenile delinquency matters, and parents in abuse, neglect, and dependency matters, and in civil contempt matters. Attorneys will represent indigent criminal clients in district and superior court, as well as parents in abuse, neglect and dependency cases, and any and all other related matters. Lawyers must be cross-trained and capable of handling all casework required provide quality legal services for indigent clients. Additionally, the applicant will be required to represent clients in treatment court, mental health court, and first appearances.

All applicants must have a strong desire and commitment to client advocacy and indigent defense. Attorney must be attentive to detail, organized, possess an ability to effectively communicate and litigate cases in the courtroom and have exceptional legal research and writing skills. A high level of technology and computer knowledge is essential.

All Assistant Public Defenders must be capable of handling difficult cases and clients, while maintaining positive professional relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public. Attorneys are expected to visit clients at the jail and in prison facilities, and to travel outside the office to conduct other investigative procedures.

As public service employees, it is expected that all Assistant Public Defenders will engage in community service and participate in outreach programs relevant to the services we are providing, including volunteer programs which occur during evenings and weekends.

The Duplin County Office of the Public Defender strives to create a diverse staff with expertise and interest in serving our indigent clients who come to us with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, and disabilities.

Although attorneys are specifically assigned to the Duplin office, there may be occasions when attorneys are required to report to the Sampson and Jones offices for training, meetings, and other work obligations.

Salary

• $80,000 - $100,000/year

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

Knowledge Required: Federal, State, common and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, regulatory, and common law; NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases, juvenile cases, child support contempt cases and parent representation cases; and legal research methods.

Applicants must be familiar with and prepared to represent parents in abuse/neglect and dependency matters.

Applicants will likely be assigned DWI cases and need to be prepared to represent clients with complicated impaired driving cases.

Applicant will likely be assigned to cover treatment court, teen court and other initiatives that may arise to better serve our community.

Applicant will be expected to cover all areas of indigent representation.

Skills Required: Applicant must have persuasive communication, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills.

Applicant must be able to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner; and maintain a high volume caseload in a professional and efficient manner

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina.

Spanish language fluency is preferred but not required.

Attach a résumé and a persuasive cover letter.

**Applications without a resume & cover letter will not be considered.**

Other Information

333 Fayetteville St

Raleigh, North Carolina, 27603

How to Apply

INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Before applying, please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings.

It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.

*NOTE*
Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application before submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted.

Carefully review the FAQs if you experience difficulty with the application process or attaching documents. For technical issues with applications or attachments, call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.

All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.
Charmaine J. Leeks
NC Administrative Office of the Courts
Human Resources Division Benefits

Judicial Branch employees are eligible for the North Carolina State Government benefits package. The package consists of a comprehensive collection of benefit options including medical coverage, defined benefit retirement, supplemental retirement, flexible benefits, supplemental insurance, and other miscellaneous benefits.

Employees of the North Carolina Judicial Department have the opportunity to participate in an array of benefit offerings depending on employment status. The Benefits Eligibility Chart describes benefit eligibility by employment status.