ATTORNEY TRAINER (RE-POST) (ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER III)

Introduction

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is seeking a visionary,\r\nmission-driven litigator to serve as an Attorney Trainer within our statewide\r\nTraining Division. At MOPD, we provide zealous, client-centered, and\r\nconstitutionally mandated representation to indigent individuals across\r\nMaryland. The Attorney Trainer is instrumental in cultivating our advocacy\r\nforce. This position designs and delivers high-performance trial advocacy\r\ncurriculums, provides intensive individualized litigation coaching, and\r\noccasionally co-counsels complex cases in the courtroom.\r\n�\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Maryland Office of the Public Defender is a statewide agency that\r\nprovides superior representation to indigent clients at all stages of the\r\ncriminal case, including trial, appeal, and eligible post-conviction\r\nproceedings. Representation is provided through offices and services at 52\r\nlocations statewide with a workforce of approximately 1000 employees. At\r\nMOPD, we use our legal education and expertise to fight for justice and fairness.\r\nAs tenacious advocates, we refuse to remain silent amid human suffering.\r\nOur unique talents, identities, educational backgrounds, and perspectives\r\nguide us in providing superior representation to our clients. We stand\r\nfirm against prejudice, systemic racism, and inequity in all communities\r\nand spaces. OPD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its\r\nwork and welcomes candidates with lived experience in the criminal legal\r\nsystem.\r\n

GRADE

ASTD22\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

Anne Arundel County (Training\r\nDivision Headquarters)\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION\r\n\r\nThe Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is seeking an exceptional,\r\nforward-thinking litigator and educator to join our statewide Training Division\r\nas an Attorney Trainer. At MOPD, we believe that every client—regardless of\r\ntheir background or financial resources—deserves elite, zealous, and\r\nclient-centered advocacy. As an Attorney Trainer, you will not just teach the\r\nlaw; you will cultivate the skills, passion, and strategic thinking of our\r\nstate’s public defenders. This role is a unique hybrid of strategic�curriculum design, performance-based courtroom coaching, and direct\r\nlitigation mentorship.\r\n�\r\nOperating from our Training Division headquarters with statewide reach,\r\nyou will directly shape the legal minds defending our communities. You will\r\nbuild and lead high-impact training programs that take new attorneys from their\r\nfirst day of orientation to complex felony trials, using modern adult-learning\r\nmodels and dynamic trial advocacy techniques. If you are a seasoned trial\r\nlawyer with a passion for mentorship, a deep commitment to systemic equity, and\r\nthe desire to empower the next generation of public defenders, this is your\r\nopportunity to make a systemic impact on justice in Maryland.\r\n\r\n\r\nPRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES\r\n�\r\nKey responsibilities are divided into the following key programmatic\r\nareas:\r\n�\r\n● Curriculum Design & Instruction: Develop and facilitate MOPD’s\r\nfoundational and continuing legal education (CLE) programs, including the\r\nintensive New Attorney Orientation and core programmatic partnerships like\r\nGideon’s Promise. Design interactive workshops on all stages of litigation:\r\nvoir dire, opening statements, cross-examinations, and sentencing advocacy.\r\n● Individualized Coaching & Mentorship: Conduct one-on-one video\r\nreviews of attorney mock performances and courtroom trials. Review and provide\r\nstructured developmental feedback on written advocacy (motions to suppress,\r\nsentencing memoranda). Co-counsel complex trials with junior attorneys to\r\nprovide live, structured courtroom mentorship.\r\n● Evaluation & Quality Assurance: Conduct statewide litigation needs assessments\r\nacross MOPD’s specialized divisions and 12 operational districts. Design and\r\ntrack metrics to evaluate the long-term classroom retention of trial skills.\r\n● Strategic Collaboration & Resource Creation: Partner with\r\nDistrict Public Defenders and specialized divisions (e.g., Forensics, Mental\r\nHealth) to incorporate advanced sciences into general trial defense. Maintain\r\nand update the division’s digital trial notebooks, manuals, and templates.\r\n● Administration: Track attendance, manage certification credits, and\r\ncomplete standard agency data reporting.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.\r\nExperience: Five (5) years of active criminal defense litigation\r\nexperience, including extensive experience handling felony trials and complex\r\nlitigation.\r\n\r\nKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)\r\n�\r\n● Expert Knowledge: Advanced understanding of Maryland criminal law,\r\nrules of evidence, and constitutional procedure (4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments).\r\n● Advanced Litigation Skills: Mastery of courtroom presentation, trial\r\nstrategy, legal writing, and persuasive storytelling.\r\n● Instructional Skill: Strong ability to deliver constructive,\r\ndevelopmental feedback to professional peers and present complex material to\r\ndiverse audiences.\r\n● Digital Proficiency: Competency with virtual learning environments\r\n(Google Meet, Zoom, MS Teams, LMS platforms) and media presentation software.\r\n\r\n\r\n● Mission Alignment: A deep and active commitment to systemic equity,\r\nracial justice, and MOPD’s mission of client-centered representation.\r\n

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum and selective qualifications will be\r\nevaluated based on their education, training, and experience relative to the\r\nrequirements of the position.\r\n�\r\nThe evaluation process may include:\r\n\r\n\r\n1. A structured interview panel.\r\n2. A brief teaching/instructional demonstration (conducted virtually or\r\nin-person).\r\n3. A review of a submitted writing sample (such as a pretrial motion to\r\nsuppress or trial brief).\r\n�\r\nTherefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate\r\ninformation on your application. Please report all related experience,\r\neducation, and dates of work.\r\n

BENEFITS

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender offers a generous benefits\r\npackage that includes excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance. Benefits\r\nalso include retirement savings, life insurance, and the option to participate\r\nin supplemental retirement options. MOPD Employees receive 6 days of personal\r\nleave, 15 days of sick leave, and at least 10 days of annual leave each\r\ncalendar year, in addition to paid�holidays and parental leave.\r\n�\r\nFor more details and a full list of benefits as an employee with the\r\nMaryland Office of the Public Defender click here.\r\n\r\n\r\nSALARY\r\n�\r\n\r\n\r\nSalary is dependent on experience, and the State of Maryland salary rules\r\nwill apply to any offer made.\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

How to Apply\r\n�\r\nTo be considered for this position, applicants must submit an online\r\napplication through the State of Maryland job portal. Please ensure you upload\r\nthe following documents in one single PDF file:\r\n�\r\n1. A current professional resume.\r\n2. A compelling cover letter detailing your alignment with MOPD’s mission\r\nand your approach to employee training.\r\n3. A writing sample such as a pretrial motion to suppress or trial brief.\r\n�\r\nAs a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is\r\nan affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the\r\nfull inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color,\r\nreligion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender\r\nidentity, national�origin, veteran status, or genetic information.�\r\n�\r\nAll applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors and\r\npossess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment.\r\nApplicants must be able to work in various positions and travel to various\r\ncourtrooms and office environments throughout the state. MOPD is further\r\ncommitted to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for\r\nindividuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and\r\nactivities by modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or\r\nwork environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or\r\nemployee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position\r\nthey desire; to perform the essential�functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and\r\nprivileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees\r\nwithout disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship.�\r\n\r\n\r\nApplicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment.\r\nApplicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate to our 52\r\noffices statewide. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda\r\nJackson, Human Resources Supervisor, at 410-767-8503 or tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.\r\n