Deputy Defender

GENERAL INFORMATION The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is seeking applicants for Deputy Defender in the Appellate Division’s Criminal Appellate Section.  Past applicants who continue to have interest in joining the Criminal Appellate Section are encouraged to reapply to the current open position. The mission of OPDC is to ensure constitutionally competent and effective legal representation for persons eligible for a public defender. The office includes the Executive Division, the Appellate Division, the Trial Division, the Trial Development & Resources Division, and the Administrative Services Division. The Appellate Division provides constitutionally mandated representation in the appellate courts to financially eligible persons in criminal cases, to parents in juvenile dependency cases, and to inmates appealing administrative decisions from the Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision. A Deputy Defender in the Criminal Appellate Section is an entry-level attorney position and provides appellate representation in the state appellate courts to clients in direct appeals from contempt and criminal cases and judicial review of decisions of the Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision. The primary purpose of this position is to provide appellate representation to clients in contempt cases, misdemeanor and non-complex felony criminal cases and parole cases, while managing a high-volume caseload and working collaboratively in a team environment. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CASE MANAGEMENT Review transcripts and records from circuit court and parole board proceedings. Identify and research potential legal issues for appeal. Write and file motions, briefs, and petitions. Present oral argument before the state appellate courts. Maintain acceptable work production levels. COMMUNICATION Respond to inquiries from clients, opposing counsel, and the courts. Respond to inquiries from members of the public and, occasionally, the media and the Oregon State Bar. Occasionally serve as “officer of the day” by responding to inquiries from trial attorneys, by handling time-sensitive matters for attorneys who are unavailable, and by responding to various matters that arise during the assigned duty. TEAMWORK Prepare for, attend, and constructively participate in weekly team meetings. Edit briefs for attorney colleagues. Assist other attorneys in preparation for oral arguments by reading briefs, providing feedback, and participating in moot courts. ONGOING Engage in effective team participation through a willingness to assist and support coworkers, supervisors, and other work-related associations. Develop good working relationships with clients, coworkers, and supervisors by actively participating in office-wide activities and programs and by identifying and resolving problems in a constructive, collaborative manner. Contribute to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment in a manner that fosters and promotes the importance and value of a diverse, discrimination- and harassment-free workplace. Respect diversity of opinions, ideas, and cultural differences. Other duties as may assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES An attorney in this position has an interest in and aptitudes for legal research, analysis, and writing. The position demands the ability and desire to learn substantive and procedural statutory law, case law, constitutional law, appellate procedure, and the rules of evidence. The attorney has the ability and skills to conduct research, collect authority, formulate effective procedural and substantive appellate arguments, and draft persuasive written arguments. The attorney must also have interpersonal skills appropriate for working closely with colleagues in a team setting. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS To qualify for consideration for the position, the individual must be a graduate from an accredited college of law AND EITHER be a member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar OR sat for the July 2024 Oregon bar exam and awaiting results OR submitted a completed application form for Oregon State Bar Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) Transfer or Comity admission that the bar is processing.