Local Attorney Manager - Spooner Trial Office

Job ID: 18501 | Location: Spooner, WI | Full-time, Regular

About the role

The Office of the State Public Defender (SPD) is seeking dedicated litigators for the Assistant State Public Defender Local Attorney Manager (ASPD-LAM) position in our Spooner Trial Office. This role involves working with attorneys and support staff, carrying a partial caseload, and performing management duties, including direct supervision of staff attorneys and participation in statewide management activities.

The SPD Trial Division provides legal representation at the circuit court (trial court) level for cases including criminal, civil commitment, protective placement (personal guardianship), revocation of conditional liberty (probation, parole, or extended supervision), sexually violent offender commitment, termination of parental rights, and other matters specified by state law for juveniles and adults.

Responsibilities

• Carry a partial caseload of trial-level cases
• Supervise and mentor staff attorneys to ensure high-quality legal work
• Participate in statewide management activities
• Manage complex defense litigation, including trial conduct, pleadings, discovery, motions, negotiations, brief preparation, and oral arguments
• Apply legal risk management principles

Requirements

• Admission to practice law by the Wisconsin Supreme Court prior to start date (soon-to-be graduates may apply with an appointment contingent on bar admission)
• Strong commitment and dedication to indigent defense
• Fluency in a foreign language is a plus
• Experience in complex defense litigation
• Experience managing or directing lawyers, including mentoring, coaching, or training

Qualifications

Minimally qualified applicants will have education or training in:

• Trial conduct, pleadings, discovery, motions, negotiations, brief preparation, and oral arguments
• Managing or directing lawyers to ensure high-quality legal work

Well-qualified applicants will also have:

• At least 3 years of experience managing employees in a legal setting
• Experience with legal risk management principles

Benefits

• Comprehensive health plans
• 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays, and ample sick leave
• Participation in one of the nation’s top-rated pension plans
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Moving expense reimbursement (for eligible candidates)

Pay

Starting salary: $50.00 to $65.00 per hour ($104,000.00 to $135,200.00 annually), plus a $2.75/hour supervisory add-on. Positions are unclassified and follow pay schedule/range 71-00. Pay for current state employees will align with the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan.