Assistant Public Defender I

Location(s): Dallas, Lubbock, Pearland
Salary: $100,000 - $125,000
Reports to: Chief Public Defender

About the role

Appointed by the Chief Public Defender, the Assistant Public Defender I will develop the skills required for a capital trial lawyer, with a substantial focus on learning and developing mitigation in capital cases. The Assistant Public Defender I will not serve as first chair in a capital case but will handle assigned tasks under the direction of the first chair attorney and leadership team. The role involves providing legal representation for defendants in criminal proceedings and ensuring their constitutional rights are upheld, serving as second chair counsel in capital cases.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to clients and interview clients and witnesses to gather information for defense preparation.
• Participate in plea negotiations with prosecutors and advise clients on plea offers, options, and potential outcomes.
• Seek necessary funding from the Court for outside experts in defense preparation.
• Perform legal research and study legal records to obtain case-relevant information.
• Obtain documents through subpoena and other discovery methods.
• Draft briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports.
• Identify affirmative or de facto defenses and tactical procedural choices for clients.
• Prepare cases for court and conduct hearings and trials related to pending cases.
• Document opinions, impressions, and facts in client files and preserve potential points of error.
• Advise clients on constitutional rights waived by pleading guilty and the direct and collateral consequences of a guilty plea.
• Advise non-citizen clients on the immigration consequences of criminal convictions.
• Select juries according to RPDO policy, examine and cross-examine witnesses, draft and argue jury instructions, and argue cases to the jury.
• Review or work on other cases assigned to the office with attorneys and staff.
• Respond to telephone calls from non-clients and family members of clients in a timely manner.

Requirements

• J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Texas or ability to obtain a Texas license within 9 months of starting date.
• Commitment to providing quality representation to indigent defendants and developing skills to represent capital defendants as a first chair attorney.
• Extensive courtroom litigation experience, including at least one felony trial to verdict as lead counsel, or comparable civil trial experience in complex litigation (e.g., deposition practice, motion practice, working with experts).

Skills and Abilities

• Willingness to work in alignment with the Mission, Vision, and Values of the RPDO.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Substantial knowledge of relevant criminal, state, federal, and international law (both procedural and substantive) and commitment to learning laws governing capital cases.
• Skill in interviewing individuals to determine facts and circumstances.
• Skill in developing effective defense strategies, analyzing cases, and applying legal principles.
• Skill in presenting statements of law clearly and logically in written and verbal form.
• Skill in preparing clear, concise, accurate, and effective legal arguments and preserving the record for appeal and habeas counsel.
• Skill in the management and conduct of complex negotiations and litigation.
• Skill in legal research, analysis, and drafting litigation documents.
• Skill in oral advocacy and use of expert witnesses.
• Skill in trial advocacy, including jury selection, cross-examination, and opening/closing statements.
• Skill in managing multiple cases simultaneously.
• Skill in communicating effectively with diverse groups using tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to handle stressful cases and adjust to rapidly fluctuating situations.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and basic office equipment.
• Ability to keep accurate notes and records and prepare clear, concise reports.
• Ability to read and understand legal codes, cases, and technical material in disciplines such as medicine and social sciences.
• Ability to learn new disciplines related to mental health and mitigation for capital clients.
• Ability to obtain information through interviews and assess witness credibility.
• Ability to gather and analyze facts, evidence, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to adjust to workload changes, work under stress, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to manage cases efficiently.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, outside organizations, attorneys, and the public.
• Ability to comply with RPDO policy, procedures, and methods.
• Demonstrated initiative, self-starting ability, and willingness to learn and ask for help.
• Positive office behavior regarding time, attendance, attitude, and ego management conducive to a team environment.
• Willingness to cooperate with leadership.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Lift/carry up to 25 lbs occasionally.
• Visual acuity, speech, and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity for operating a computer keyboard and basic office equipment.
• Subject to sitting, standing, walking, reaching, and handling to perform essential functions.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, liability insurance as required by law, and safely operate a vehicle for job-related tasks.