The OPD is seeking a passionate, organized, and strategic indigent defense leader to join its
executive leadership team as a Trial Services Deputy Director 4 responsible for supporting
effective indigent defense delivery systems in counties throughout Ohio. You will directly
negotiate with county commissioners to enact contracts for indigent defense services in their
Trial Services Deputy Director
- – County Indigent Defense System (250006HU) counties; work to recruit and support good government contracting processes; establish and build communications with judges and prosecutors; develop and implement new procedures;
and supervise a team of three trial attorneys who are appointed to represent the most
challenging cases in local systems where qualified attorneys are otherwise not available. You
may also carry a small caseload. - This position entails active, independent responsibility for building systems and processes. To
be successful, you must have prior individual contributor or leadership experience in public
defense and demonstrate the ability to build programs and innovate within complex systems
to continually improve client service and reduce inequities. You will also serve in an advisory
capacity to the Assistant Director of Trial Services, Assistant Director of Columbus Office, and
the State Public Defender.Essential functions of the position include but aren’t limited to:
- Multi-county program operations:
- Manage negotiations for indigent defense systems serving Adams, Athens, Brown, Fayette, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, and Washington counties.
- Negotiate contract provisions with county officials and private attorneys.
- Work with external members of the justice system (e.g., judges and prosecutors), contract attorneys, and county commissioners.
- Recruit and place contract attorneys and monitor their compliance with all applicable ethical, professional, and legal obligations.
- Establish and sustain beneficial business relationships.
- Collaborate with agency training staff to formally assess and manage the professional development needs of contract counsel.
- Work with internal teams in Fiscal and Office Services and Legal Counsel in the review of agency personal service contracts for legal compliance and accepted contract principles.
- Assist with the assessment of current indigent defense systems: for example, review public defender offices and court-appointed counsel for legal compliance pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 120.04(B)(3) through conducting site visits; analyzing caseload and budget data; answering questions regarding Ohio Administrative Code; and recommending changes to agency standards and guidelines.
Advisory capacity:
- Assist in the formulation of policies, procedures, and administrative rules; assist
with formulating, implementing, and evaluating the agency budget; assist with the
evaluation of proposed and recently enacted legislation affecting agency
operations.Personnel management:
- Directly supervise attorneys: approve work schedules; respond to questions and
concerns and resolve problems; disseminate and interpret policies and procedures
and best practices; provide coaching and training, and complete timely
performance reviews; succession planning and position reviews. - Oversee budgets and financial resources in support of the division/agency
strategic initiatives and mission (e.g., approve requests for training, travel, projects,
and equipment).Special projects and other duties:
- Collaborate with leadership teams across the division and Columbus Office to
develop onboarding and professional development programs for trial-level
attorneys. - Render legal advice to county public defenders and members of the private bar on
all matters of criminal law and the provision of representation to indigent criminal
defendants. - Serve as an attorney-at-law to represent indigent criminal defendants in the courts
across the state. May directly handle a reduced caseload; apply a high level of
technical and legal skills to formulate innovative legal strategy that effectively and
successfully represents indigent criminal defendants. - This position requires in-office time and extensive travel in the State of Ohio as well as
occasional travel outside Ohio. You will have an office location in our Columbus office.
When you submit your application, please upload a Resume and a Cover Letter indicating
how you are best qualified for this position and why you feel you are the best fit for the Ohio
Public Defender’s Office. - This Trial Services Deputy Director position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s E-2 Pay Range
44. Target compensation for this position is $137,000 to $145,000.