ATTORNEY TRAINER ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER III

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) provides zealous, client-centered, and constitutionally mandated representation to indigent individuals across Maryland. As a statewide agency, MOPD offers superior representation at all stages of the criminal case, including trial, appeal, and eligible post-conviction proceedings through 52 locations and approximately 1000 employees. MOPD is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and welcomes candidates with lived experience in the criminal legal system.

About the role

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender is seeking an exceptional, forward-thinking litigator and educator to join the statewide Training Division as an Attorney Trainer. This role is a unique hybrid of strategic curriculum design, performance-based courtroom coaching, and direct litigation mentorship. You will build and lead high-impact training programs that develop new attorneys from orientation through complex felony trials, using modern adult-learning models and dynamic trial advocacy techniques. Operating from the Training Division headquarters with frequent statewide travel, you will shape the legal minds defending Maryland’s communities.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum Design & Instruction: Develop and facilitate MOPD’s foundational and continuing legal education (CLE) programs, including the intensive New Attorney Orientation and core programmatic partnerships like Gideon’s Promise. Design interactive workshops on all stages of litigation: voir dire, opening statements, cross-examinations, and sentencing advocacy.
• Individualized Coaching & Mentorship: Conduct one-on-one video reviews of attorney mock performances and courtroom trials. Provide structured developmental feedback on written advocacy (motions to suppress, sentencing memoranda). Co-counsel complex trials with junior attorneys to offer live, structured courtroom mentorship.
• Evaluation & Quality Assurance: Conduct statewide litigation needs assessments across MOPD’s 12 operational districts. Design and track metrics to evaluate the long-term classroom retention of trial skills.
• Strategic Collaboration & Resource Creation: Partner with District Public Defenders and specialized divisions (e.g., Forensics, Mental Health) to incorporate advanced sciences into general trial defense. Maintain and update the division’s digital trial notebooks, manuals, and templates.
• Administration: Track attendance, manage certification credits, and complete standard agency data reporting.

Requirements

• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Experience: Five (5) years of active criminal defense litigation experience, including extensive experience handling felony trials and complex litigation.
• Licensure: Admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Maryland (or admission to the Bar of another state with immediate eligibility for admission under Maryland Out-of-State Attorney rules). All licenses must be maintained in active, good standing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a clinical law professor, trial advocacy instructor, or systematic peer mentor/coach.
• Familiarity with the national standards of public defense practice and client-centered advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience using modern adult learning models (such as performance-based advocacy training).

Skills

• Expert Knowledge: Advanced understanding of Maryland criminal law, rules of evidence, and constitutional procedure (4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments).
• Advanced Litigation Skills: Mastery of courtroom presentation, trial strategy, legal writing, and persuasive storytelling.
• Instructional Skill: Strong ability to deliver constructive, developmental feedback to professional peers and present complex material to diverse audiences.
• Digital Proficiency: Competency with virtual learning environments (Google Meet, Zoom, MS Teams, LMS platforms) and media presentation software.
• Mission Alignment: A deep and active commitment to systemic equity, racial justice, and MOPD’s mission of client-centered representation.

Selection Process

Applicants who meet the minimum and selective qualifications will be evaluated based on their education, training, and experience. The evaluation process may include:

• A structured interview panel.
• A brief teaching/instructional demonstration (conducted virtually or in-person).
• A review of a submitted writing sample (such as a pretrial motion to suppress or trial brief).

Pay

Assistant Public Defender III - starting at $109,794 (Grade 22, Step 10). Salary is dependent on experience and State of Maryland salary rules apply.

Benefits

Please visit the State of Maryland Employee’s page to review benefit information.