The Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) is nationally recognized as a model state-wide public defender system with an exceptional training and education program. Our defense teams ensure the criminal justice process is fair, results are just, and individual liberties are protected.
We are seeking to hire an experienced staff attorney as part of a criminal defense team for a vacancy in the Education, Recruiting and Strategic Planning Division. Kentucky DPA looks for individuals who have demonstrated a desire to help the poorest and often the most vulnerable in their communities through the education and training of attorneys and non-attorneys alike.
The ideal candidate has criminal defense experience and exhibits exceptional planning and organizational skills, is self-directed, and also comfortable working with other attorneys, investigators, alternative sentencing workers, office administrative legal staff, and the appropriate division directors.
This position includes extensive research and analysis of current legal issues and trends and requires development of training materials, case problems, and assistance with the production of all DPA manuals. These duties are legal and complex in nature and used to assist field attorneys in direct representation of clients in complex legal matters.
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist in education for new attorneys, including developing individual presentations and supporting the creation of training materials and manuals and the implementation of workshops.
- Assist in education for non-attorneys through workshops and seminar style presentations.
- Provide direct assistance to field attorneys through file review, case reviews, and assistance in trials or hearings.
- Join trial teams to assist the representation of clients with unique, controversial, technical or otherwise complex legal issues.
- Serve as primary contact for the lawyer, investigator and alternative sentencing worker mentorship programs.
- Provide advice and assistance to those less experienced and train other mentors to provide the same assistance.
- Assist with other Education and Strategic Planning Branch events and support special projects assigned, this includes preparing and presenting seminar lectures.
- Travel is required.