Limited Practitioner

About the role

This position bridges the gap between graduating from law school and passing the bar, allowing the LOPD to extend an offer to applicants prior to graduation. It guarantees employment after graduation for law students and provides the LOPD with a dedicated employee for indigent defense. Once sworn in and performing at the expected level, limited practitioners may move into a public defender attorney position based on demonstrated performance and availability.

Responsibilities

• Assists attorneys in preparing legal documents, conducting legal research, and handling administrative tasks.
• Attends court hearings, trials, and client meetings to provide support to attorneys.
• Helps with case preparation, including reviewing discovery, drafting motions, and organizing case files.

Qualifications

Limited Practitioners are typically third‑year law students or recent law school graduates gaining practical experience.

Pay

Limited Practitioners are paid $31.98 hourly/$66,518.00 annual base salary. The typical starting salary for a PD2 position is $37.7415 hourly/$78,502.00 annual base salary.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring graduates. Fall graduates should submit by October 25; spring graduates by February 28. Interviews (in‑person, Zoom, or telephonic) are scheduled in September and October for fall graduates and February and March for spring graduates, and may also be arranged upon receipt of an application.