The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks a demonstrated leader and zealous litigator to serve as the Deputy District Public Defender for Western Maryland (District XII). The District XII office is comprised of Allegany and Garrett Counties. Both offices are small but busy rural public defender offices of approximately 25 attorneys and staff. We are committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.
MOPD’s vision is for Justice, Fairness, and Dignity for All. We are committed to our core values of a culture of excellence, client-centered representation, and tenacious advocacy, and remain united as a team in achieving our mission. At MOPD we use our legal education and experience to fight for justice and fairness, no matter what and we refuse to remain silent in the midst of human suffering. Our unique talents, identities, educational backgrounds, and perspectives guide us in representing our clients. We stand up against prejudice, systemic racism, and inequity in all of the spaces we occupy. Learn more about our mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Overview of the Position
The Deputy District Public Defender (Deputy DPD) is responsible for working together with the District Public Defender to ensure the highest standards of client representation, supervision of personnel, and operations across District XII, including Allegany and Garrett counties. The Deputy DPD should have strong leadership skills to ensure consistent implementation of MOPD’s core values and vision across the district. The selected candidate will be responsible for a partial caseload and case coverage that would occur in either of the two counties. The Deputy DPD will be responsible for providing management, supervision, and personnel decisions throughout the two counties within District XII.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Reports to the District Public Defender for District XII.
- With the District Public Defender, effectively leads the District XII management team to ensure quality representation of MOPD clients and the professional growth of all District XII employees.
- Represent the District at stakeholder meetings and community events to enhance the District XII profile.
- Prepares, interprets, and directs the District’s procedures, policies, practices, and personnel decisions.
- Ensures accountability, resourcefulness, and excellence through regular observation and evaluation.
- Handles administrative matters including but not limited to managing conflict cases.
- Develop strategies for advancing litigation, collaboration, advocacy, and holistic representation.
- Works collaboratively with the District XII Leadership Team and MOPD Administration to determine communications strategy, including ongoing evaluation and supporting technology/infrastructure improvement.
- Supports and provides leadership for staff through effective resource planning, work assignments, information exchange, and goal setting.
- Serves as a supervisor, mentor, coach, and visible, approachable sounding board and resource to district team members.
- Cultivates excellence and professional development amongst attorneys and staff, including providing regular in-house training programs, and working with the Training Division and other Statewide Divisions to develop training programs.
- Continuously seek professional and personal development through training, CLEs, and trial skills courses.
- Maintains an active caseload.
- Performs other duties as determined by the State Public Defender.