Assistant Public Defender for 2027

About the role

The Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office, 15th Judicial Circuit (PD-15), is a client-centered, dynamic advocacy office providing representation to people whose lives and liberty are at stake. The office handles close to 30,000 cases per year and has approximately 200 employees including lawyers, investigators, social workers, and support staff. The main office, housing the trial and appellate divisions, is in downtown West Palm Beach and there are four branch offices in other areas of the county. Divisions include: County Court; Felony; Mental Health; Major Crimes; Youth Defense; Appeals; and Investigative & Social Services' Units.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent and timely representation by obtaining timely pretrial release, investigating and filing all appropriate motions, trying cases, and preparing and presenting sentencing mitigation.
• Participate in available training sessions including attending FL Law Weekly updates.
• Pursue investigative avenues with support from the investigation unit.
• Provide holistic client service with support from Social Services division.
• Collaborate with mental health experts, forensic experts, or others to assist in pretrial, trial, and sentencing proceedings.
• Communicate regularly – and in a meaningful way – with clients, either in the office or at the jails.

Requirements

PD-15 seeks upcoming law school graduates (December 2026 and May 2027) to join our assistant public defender team in spring and summer 2027 protecting, defending, and upholding the constitutional rights of indigent persons to receive high quality legal representation, fair treatment, and equal justice. Our interview and hiring process is continuous throughout the year, though for new attorneys we like to start classes in March and August. We also accept applications from barred criminal defense attorneys. NOTE: WE DO NOT PROVIDE VISA SPONSORSHIP OTHER THAN FOR CANADIAN AND MEXICAN NATIONALS APPLYING UNDER THE TN/NAFTA VISA.

Qualifications

• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Experience with client interaction.
• Trial experience (clinic, internship, Certified Legal Intern, etc.)

Skills

Motivated attorneys from all backgrounds who are dedicated to representing indigent clients.

Benefits

• Full time, permanent commitment.
• Compensation: Our 2026 recruits started at $68,500 with an increase to $75,500 after the Public Defender swears them in to the State of Florida Bar; Florida State benefits; and opportunity to qualify for student loan and housing cost relief.
• Generous holiday and leave: Approximately 13 annual holidays when the office is closed; eight hours per month of annual leave (with annual increases based on years of service); two annual observance days; and eight hours per month of sick leave.

Pay

$68,500 starting salary with potential for increase to $75,500 after swearing in to the State of Florida Bar.

Schedule

Full-time position.

Application

To apply for this position, please visit our website and submit your application.