Assistant Public Defender

Organization: Public Defender Commission. Contact: Taylor Molli, talyor.molli@opd.ohio.gov. Work location: Columbus, Ohio, United States. This position is unclassified, exempt from union, and serves at the pleasure of the State Public Defender per Ohio Revised Code 124.11(A)(9).

About the role

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney. The Appeals & Postconviction (APC) Department primarily represents adults in the direct appeal of their conviction following a trial. In 2025, nearly every Assistant Public Defender argued a case in the Ohio Supreme Court, and every attorney argued at least one case in one of Ohio’s twelve intermediate courts of appeals. The department also files postconviction petitions, state and federal writs, and other motions to address deprivations of statutory and constitutional rights, obtaining new trials, reduced sentences, and developing caselaw benefiting people throughout Ohio.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload under the supervision of an experienced supervising attorney
• Review trial records and identify viable appellate claims
• Work with clients to identify their goals and a strategy to try to achieve them
• Draft appellate briefs
• Present oral argument
• Travel as necessary to visit clients, review records, and present oral argument
• File postconviction petitions and other pleadings
• Participate in moot arguments and department trainings
• Collaborate with colleagues from across the agency on individual cases and larger-scale projects

Requirements

• Admission to the Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01
• Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme Court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court
• Prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases
• Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio (Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio), or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal Services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs (Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio), may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.01

Skills

• Attorney/Legal
• Client Advocacy
• Organizing and Planning
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication
• Analyzation

Compensation

Salary is set by the State of Ohio E1 Exempt Pay Schedule and ranges from $76,440 to $108,722 annually ($36.75–$52.27 hourly). Starting pay may vary based on relevant experience and state procedures. After starting, you move to the next step in the range after 180 days and annually thereafter. Fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments are typical.

StepHourlyAnnual Step 1$36.75$76,440 Step 2$38.75$80,660 Step 3$40.87$85,010 Step 4$43.07$89,586 Step 5$45.50$94,640 Step 6$47.95$99,736 Step 7$49.92$103,834 Step 8$52.27$108,722

Schedule

• Permanent – Full Time
• Work hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave
• Education and development opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public retirement systems (OPERS, STRS, SERS, HPRS) and optional deferred compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

Benefits eligibility depends on a number of factors; the agency contact can provide specific information for this position.

Additional information

• Required application documents: resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Applications without these materials will not be reviewed.
• Final candidates must undergo a drug test; a positive result will preclude an offer of employment.
• Final candidates must also undergo a background check and state income tax check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude consideration; an individual assessment will be made.
• The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. For accommodation requests, contact 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.
• The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational/non-medical cannabis). This position may be subject to additional restrictions per the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39).