The Supervising Assistant Public Defender will supervise Assistant Public Defenders, maintain a complex caseload, and serve as a mission-driven member of the Trumbull County Supervisor team reporting to the Trumbull County Office Director. The Trumbull County Office provides criminal defense representation to clients who cannot otherwise afford an attorney in the courts in Trumbull County. You will directly supervise Assistant Public Defenders (APDs) serving in the various Trumbull County Courts, and you will maintain a complex caseload as lead attorney or co-counsel representing indigent trial-level clients. You will also work with your team to build and maintain productive working relationships with judicial and court staff and the central OPD office.
To be successful in this position, you would benefit from strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, a familiarity with applicable court staff and local procedure, experience in the teaching and mentoring attorneys, and a strong legal acumen.
This position is an in-office/in-court position. The office is open to the public 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with standard attorney schedule hours between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Essential duties of this position include but not limited to:
- Directly supervises attorneys practicing in the criminal courts of Trumbull County.
- Coaches and develops staff (holds team meetings and one-on-one meetings; sets meaningful goals and provides support; completes timely performance evaluations).
- As a member of the office leadership team: assists in the formation of office and agency policy; attends meetings as assigned; may be required to work on specific projects as assigned; may instruct and assist outside counsel in fields of expertise; may be temporarily assigned to perform duties of a Managing Assistant Public Defender at the direction of the State Public Defender.
- Represents indigent criminal defendants as co-counsel or lead-counsel at the trial level.
- Conducts legal research, prepares briefs, memoranda, motions, and pleadings
- Corresponds and meets with clients to explain legal strategies.
- Corresponds with clients regarding their legal issues & incarceration.
- Recommends candidates for hire (e.g., screens and interviews applicants for vacant positions).
- Performs other necessary related legal and administrative work as directed by Managing Assistant Public Defender of the Trumbull County Office, Assistant Director or State Public Defender.