Assistant Public Defender

About the role

The Office is seeking to hire an attorney or a graduating law school student interested in working for the Office. We also hire law school graduates seeking admission to the Tennessee bar and qualify for supervised practice certification under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 7.

Responsibilities

• Represents, as counsel, indigent defendants charged with felonies and/or misdemeanors.
• Consults with District Attorney.
• Consults with and advises other attorneys in the office on cases.
• Analyzes legal and/or factual aspects of clients' cases.
• Refers clients for proper medical and psychiatric assistance.
• Refers clients to other resources or agencies for assistance.
• Performs necessary investigations, including interviewing clients, gathering evidence, legal research, investigating locations critical to cases, and obtaining social, medical, criminal, psychiatric, and educational histories of clients.

Supervision Exercised/Supervision Received

May lead or supervise Criminal Investigators and a clerical support staff. Receives general supervision and reports to Public Defender or designee, who is consulted on complex or unusual matters.

Working Conditions

Work involves moderate risks or discomforts associated with a courthouse or jail environment, which require special safety precautions, e.g., working in crowded conditions, and working around persons imprisoned for a wide variety of illegal acts. Employees may be required to use protective clothing or gear. Requires substantial physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, stretching, or similar activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctor of Jurisprudence.
• Knowledge of the principles of criminal law and proceedings, including docketing, bonding, and sheriff's procedures.
• Knowledge of the administrative functioning of the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of legal principles, including civil, constitutional, and administrative law.
• Skill in courtroom practice.
• Ability to analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to specific problems.
• Ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically.
• Ability to analyze cases and make tactical decisions.
• Ability to prepare briefs.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal courteously with the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Licensed to practice Law in the State of Tennessee, or application to practice law in the State of Tennessee pending.

Performance Standards

Knowledge of the principles of criminal law and proceedings, including docketing, bonding, and sheriff's procedures.

Knowledge of the administrative functioning of the criminal justice system.

Knowledge of legal principles, including civil, constitutional, and administrative law.

Skill in courtroom practice.

Ability to analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to specific problems.

Ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically.

Ability to analyze cases and make tactical decisions.

Ability to prepare briefs.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to deal courteously with the public.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

Required Information

• 01 Current 3L student or recent graduate? YesNo
• 02 Plan to obtain license to practice law in the State of TN or application to practice law pending? YesNo