Supervising Attorney Charles County (District IV) (ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER SUPERVISOR)

Introduction

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD) seeks an experienced,\r\nzealous, dedicated, and demonstrated leader to serve as the Supervising\r\nAttorney in District IV’s Charles County office. OPD is committed to building a\r\nculturally diverse staff and strongly encourages people historically underrepresented\r\nin the practice of law to apply.�\r\n�\r\nDistrict IV (Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Public Defender offices)\r\nare busy, rural public defender offices with approximately 30+ attorneys and\r\nstaff in total with 14+ employees specifically located in Charles County. OPD\r\nstrives to achieve Justice, Fairness, and Dignity for All. Our employees are committed\r\nto the core values of a culture of excellence, client-centered representation,\r\nand tenacious advocacy, and are united as a team in achieving the OPD’s mission.\r\n�\r\nOVERVIEW\r\n�\r\nThe Supervising Attorney combines their demonstrated dedication to the\r\nrepresentation of indigent clients with strong leadership and litigation skills\r\nto ensure the highest standard of client representation in a team-oriented\r\nenvironment focused on a client-centered approach to representation. The\r\nSupervising Attorney is involved in the day-to-day operations and supervision\r\nof attorneys, maintains an active caseload, interfaces with the Judiciary, and\r\nhelps promote community engagement in the county. This position will be\r\nprimarily located in La Plata, Maryland supervising attorneys handling District\r\nand Circuit Court matters; however, members of the supervision team may provide\r\ncoverage to the other counties within the District.\r\n

GRADE

23\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

Charles County, MD\r\n\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES\r\n�\r\n� Reports to the District Public Defender and Deputy District Public Defender.\r\n� Works closely with the other leadership team members to maintain a high standard of representation by ensuring accountability while fostering mentorship, teamwork, and communication.\r\n� Actively consults with attorneys regarding case preparation and trial strategy.\r\n� Fosters a culture of excellence, resourcefulness, and zealousness amongst attorneys and staff.\r\n� Ensures accountability through the supervision and regular evaluation of attorney and staff performance.\r\n� Participates with leadership teams in interviewing and hiring new attorneys.\r\n� Works with other agencies and entities involved in the criminal justice system to help meet the needs of clients.\r\n� Works closely with the Training Division and other Statewide Divisions to ensure effective representation through the development of relevant policies, practices, and training (including conducting regular in-house training programs).\r\n� Contributes to and seeks professional development through statewide and in-house training and trial skills programs.\r\n� Works collaboratively with all team members (including support staff, supervisors, investigators, social workers, and experts) to achieve the best result for each client.\r\n� Maintains an active caseload.\r\n� Travel to St. Mary’s and Calvert County offices as needed.\r\n� Other duties as assigned by the State Public Defender.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS\r\n�\r\n● Demonstrated commitment to zealous and comprehensive public defense.\r\n● Excellent writing, research, and oral advocacy skills.\r\n● A desire to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with\r\nconstructive feedback and performance evaluations.\r\n● Substantial criminal litigation experience and strong trial skills (a\r\nminimum of 3 years felony experience preferred).\r\n● Commitment to addressing systemic inadequacies and inequities in the\r\ncriminal justice system.\r\n● Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate\r\neffectively with colleagues, adversaries, clients, and family members,\r\nirrespective of differences in backgrounds and lived experiences.\r\n● Exceptional organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary\r\nto manage dynamic teams and high-volume caseloads.\r\n● Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, supervisory, client advocacy, and\r\nmanagement abilities.\r\n● Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar of\r\nanother state. \r\n�\r\nAttorneys barred in another state must become a member of the Maryland\r\nBar within 18 months of the\r\nstart date.\r\n

BENEFITS

SALARY AND BENEFITS:\r\n�\r\nSalary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State of\r\nMaryland employees.\r\nPlease visit the State of Maryland Employee’s page to review benefit\r\ninformation.\r\n�\r\nAssistant Public Defender, Supervisor: Starting at $121,603.00 (Grade 23,\r\nStep 13).� \r\n�\r\nThis is a promotional opportunity for current MOPD attorneys at Grade 22\r\nor below. \r\nThis would be a lateral transfer for MOPD attorneys currently at Grade\r\n23.\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO APPLY\r\n�\r\nIf you wish to be considered, please click here to fill out the\r\napplication and submit the following items in one PDF attachment through the\r\nMaryland State Government Job Openings Page: (1) a current resume, (2) a cover\r\nletter addressing the above qualifications, and (3) a list of four professional\r\nreferences. \r\n�\r\nIncomplete applications will not be considered.\r\n�\r\nAssistant Public Defenders are full-time employees and cannot engage in\r\nthe private practice of law while in this position. MD Code, Criminal Procedure\r\nArt., Section 16-203(d)(2).\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 activities\r\nby modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work\r\nenvironment 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\r\nto enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other\r\nsimilarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation\r\nimposes an undue hardship.\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 public\r\ntransportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda\r\nJackson, Human Resources Supervisor, at 410-767-8503 or\r\ntawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.\r\n