Assistant Public Defender
Work Location: Chillicothe, Ohio, United States. Contact: Taylor Molli, talyor.molli@opd.ohio.gov. Schedule: Permanent, full-time (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM). Unclassified, exempt from union.
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. Our mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping. Our vision: A Fair Justice System. Our values: Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.
The Assistant Public Defender (APD) will be headquartered in the Ross County Office of our Trial Services Division and will serve in the courts of Jackson County or Ross County as a trial‑level attorney providing criminal defense representation to indigent clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges. The position does not involve federal trial representation or post‑trial appellate, post‑conviction, or habeas litigation. The successful candidate will thrive in a close‑knit team environment, be interested in trial‑level work and client service in a fast‑paced setting, and be eager to work with a supervisor to learn the intricacies of the role and provide high‑quality representation. Recent graduates awaiting bar results are encouraged to apply.