Attorney Team Lead - Lowe Felony (LVL 6)

***Internal Candidates Only***

The Marion County Public Defender Agency provides legal representation for Marion County residents who cannot afford to hire their own lawyer in matters involving liberty interests, including criminal cases. Our services are provided as a public service. We work with the felony, misdemeanor, Title IV D, civil commitment, and juvenile courts. We also work on cases related to termination of parental rights as well as appeals. Our agency also offers education, services, and programs focused on different ways to serve jail sentences.

Job Summary
This position is responsible for supervising attorney staff and indirectly supervising paralegal staff. Provides leadership on special projects as directed by the Chief. Acts as liaison to assigned court, client community and to the general public and other governmental entities. Provides consultation and assistance regarding specific matters within identified area of expertise. Reinforces the mission, vision, and core values of the agency.   Independent judgment is regularly utilized when there are no available policies and procedures. Independent actions and judgment are exercised in making decisions that are complex in nature and have considerable impact on Public Defender Agency policy. Decisions and actions may be controlled by state and federal laws. The actions and decision-making process allow for considerable latitude in making informed judgments, quick decisions, or decisions without benefit of consultation. The incumbent is expected to exercise initiative, creativity, and independent problem-solving skills. Position reports to Division Chief.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

• Appears in court to provide effective representation of counsel to indigent persons in the Division to which they are assigned
• Supervises a courtroom team comprised of attorneys, paralegals and other support staff in Major Felony, Lower Felony and TPR/CHINS, in order to provide a team approach to litigation
• Aids in scheduling, assigning cases, case reviews and holding team meetings  
• Participates in performance reviews and maintaining performance standards  
• Aids in the training of the staff to meet the particular needs of the court in which they practice  
• Aids in development of litigation strategies  
• Acts as co-counsel with team members on difficult cases
• Conducts legal and factual review of the case, evaluates legal and factual evidence for, or against, client
• Engages in pre-trial, motion practice; and takes and defends depositions
• Consults with client, interviews witnesses, consults with medical, forensic, DNA or other experts as needed to effectively represent client
• Consults with opposing counsel to negotiate case disposition to include plea agreements and other disposition, including litigating case to the court or trying to jury
• Discuss courtroom policies with the correlating prosecutor supervisor
• Communicates with clients through regular methods to include telephone conversations, in person interviews, and jail consultations 
• Reviews and updates court files and keeps client and families updated on case progress
• Reviews attorney files for proper content including time keeping and maintenance of discovery and other materials
• Directs and supervises team relevant to high profile litigation, including mitigation specialists, factual investigators, expert witnesses, etc.
• Must maintain confidentiality at all times
• This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time

Juris Doctorate and Law License required. Must be an attorney for three (3) years.  Strong verbal, written, communication and presentation skills are required along with top level interpersonal and facilitation skills. Computer knowledge a must. Must have valid driver’s license. 

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications
Supervisory experience helpful.