Public Defender 2 - Iowa City

About the role

The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office seeks a highly motivated attorney to serve as a Public Defender 2 in their Iowa City office.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for indigent clients in assigned cases at every state of the criminal justice system.
• Receive training and mentoring from dedicated, experienced public defenders.
• Represent clients in court at pre-trial hearings, bench or jury trial sentencings, and other court hearings.
• Prepare a defense, conduct legal research, gather facts, and interview the client and witnesses.
• 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 trial preparation.
• Maintain appropriate communication with clients about case status and answer client questions.
• Identify potential legal issues to advance 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.
• May 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

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Possession of a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa.
• Experience equal to two years of full-time work in professional legal criminal trial advocacy or prosecution.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Public Defender 1.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Must be able to pass a drug test.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of criminal law and procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.

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 needed.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more).

Pay

Compensation details are not specified in the job posting.

Schedule

Schedule details are not specified in the job posting.