EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY: POST CONVICTION DEFENDERS DIVISION (ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFEN
State of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
Introduction
The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks an experienced, zealous, and dedicated attorney to serve as Assistant Public Defender in the MOPD’s Post Conviction Defenders Division. The division represents indigent inmates at post‑conviction proceedings throughout the state of Maryland and is committed to fairness, justice, and dignity for all.
Grade
ASTD22
Location of Position
Baltimore, MD
Main Purpose of the Job
The attorney in this position is responsible for ensuring zealous representation of indigent defendants in collateral attacks on convictions. The candidate will combine strong litigation skills with a dedication to representing indigent clients and provide exceptional representation in post‑conviction and related proceedings.
Primary Responsibilities
Represent clients in post‑conviction proceedings, including extensive legal research, writing persuasive legal briefs, interviewing witnesses, preparing for hearings, and conducting direct and cross‑examinations.
Lead and support special projects from concept through execution, including research, planning, and coordination across teams.
Monitor, analyze, and engage with legislative and policy developments relevant to the office’s priorities.
Draft briefings, memos, reports, and correspondence related to legislative initiatives and special projects.
Communicate effectively with incarcerated clients, their families, colleagues, and service providers to ensure optimal outcomes.
Ensure clients are consistently heard and respected.
Continuously seek professional and personal development through training, continuing legal education, trial skills courses, and staying apprised of new and relevant case law.
Perform other duties as assigned by the State Public Defender.
Minimum Qualifications
Demonstrated commitment to serving communities that have been marginalized.
Clear dedication to upending systemic racism, prejudice, and unfairness in the criminal justice system.
Compassion.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Excellent research, written and oral advocacy skills.
Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, diverse, team‑oriented environment.
Exceptional organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary to manage an active, heavy caseload.
Judicial law clerk experience and/or post‑conviction exposure/litigation experience preferred.
Active membership in good standing with the State of Maryland Bar or a bar of another state. Attorneys barred in another state must become members of the Maryland bar within 18 months of the start date.
Benefits
Salary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State of Maryland employees. Assistant Public Defender III – starting at $107,687 (Grade 22: Step 10). Please visit the State of Maryland Employee’s page to review benefit information.
Equal Employment Opportunity
As a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.
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The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks an experienced, zealous, and dedicated attorney to serve as Assistant Public Defender in the MOPD’s Post Conviction Defenders Division. The division represents indigent inmates at post‑conviction proceedings throughout the state of Maryland and is committed to fairness, justice, and dignity for all.
Grade
ASTD22
Location of Position
Baltimore, MD
Main Purpose of the Job
The attorney in this position is responsible for ensuring zealous representation of indigent defendants in collateral attacks on convictions. The candidate will combine strong litigation skills with a dedication to representing indigent clients and provide exceptional representation in post‑conviction and related proceedings.
Primary Responsibilities
Represent clients in post‑conviction proceedings, including extensive legal research, writing persuasive legal briefs, interviewing witnesses, preparing for hearings, and conducting direct and cross‑examinations.
Lead and support special projects from concept through execution, including research, planning, and coordination across teams.
Monitor, analyze, and engage with legislative and policy developments relevant to the office’s priorities.
Draft briefings, memos, reports, and correspondence related to legislative initiatives and special projects.
Communicate effectively with incarcerated clients, their families, colleagues, and service providers to ensure optimal outcomes.
Ensure clients are consistently heard and respected.
Continuously seek professional and personal development through training, continuing legal education, trial skills courses, and staying apprised of new and relevant case law.
Perform other duties as assigned by the State Public Defender.
Minimum Qualifications
Demonstrated commitment to serving communities that have been marginalized.
Clear dedication to upending systemic racism, prejudice, and unfairness in the criminal justice system.
Compassion.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Excellent research, written and oral advocacy skills.
Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, diverse, team‑oriented environment.
Exceptional organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary to manage an active, heavy caseload.
Judicial law clerk experience and/or post‑conviction exposure/litigation experience preferred.
Active membership in good standing with the State of Maryland Bar or a bar of another state. Attorneys barred in another state must become members of the Maryland bar within 18 months of the start date.
Benefits
Salary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State of Maryland employees. Assistant Public Defender III – starting at $107,687 (Grade 22: Step 10). Please visit the State of Maryland Employee’s page to review benefit information.
Equal Employment Opportunity
As a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.
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