Public Defender 1 - Davenport Office

About the role

The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic attorney to serve as a Public Defender 1 in our Davenport office located in Scott County, Iowa.

Who We Are

The mission of the Office of the State Public Defender is to ensure that all indigent persons in Iowa are provided high-quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every stage of the criminal justice system at a trainee level.
• Receive training and mentoring from dedicated, experienced public defenders in an atmosphere that encourages growth and development of an attorney’s skills and career.
• Represent clients in court at pre-trial hearings, bench or jury trials, sentencings, and other court hearings.
• Prepare a defense, conducting legal research, gathering facts, and interviewing the client and witnesses to determine the merits of the case and appropriate course of action.
• Conduct pretrial discovery, including depositions, withdraw pleas, and suppression motions.
• Negotiate plea bargains, dismissals, or other disposition of assigned cases with prosecuting attorneys.
• Work closely with clients, providing and discussing information, planning case strategy, and preparing for trial.
• Maintain appropriate communication with clients about case status and answer client questions.
• Identify potential legal issues to advance the client’s case, research applicable law, and draft appropriate motions and briefs.
• Prepare various legal documents, including written arraignments, written guilty pleas, motions, briefs, and letters.
• Direct work of investigators consistent with internal office policies.
• Maintain client case files, prepare public defender time reports to the court, and close files consistent with office policies.

Requirements

Applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and possess a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa prior to commencing employment in this job classification.

Benefits

• Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
• Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
• Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more).
• Access to an on-site employee fitness center (6200 Park Avenue location only).