Location: at the discretion of the Chief Public Defender in one of the six trial offices of the RPDO or the Administrative Office in Lubbock, TX
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & JOB REQUIREMENTS:
1. Is a member of the RPDO Leadership Team.
2. Supervises litigation in the RPDO.
3. Performs the supervisory duties of the Chief Public Defender in the absence of the Chief Public Defender.
4. Directs, plans, manages and supervises the work activities of professional and support staff.
5. Monitors receipt of and makes all case assignments.
6. Screens all cases for conflicts of interest.
7. Provides analyses and advice to staff attorneys as needed.
8. Develops and establishes creative approaches to case management, budgetary restrictions or other unique problems confronting the office.
9.Consults with the Chief Public Defender about strategic planning, organizational goals and external positioning of the RPDO.
10. Consults with the Training Director.
11. Supervises and evaluate managing attorneys.
12. Collaborates with managing attorneys and teams on effective settlement and trial strategy.
13. Supervises all aspects of moving the case through the courts, and litigation management.
14. Reviews the overall structure of litigation and make improvements to help it function more effectively.
15. Authorized to selectively appear in court and participate in informal and formal court proceedings.
16. Reviews and approves funding requests from trial teams for experts and consults with trial teams about expert usage or their funding to ensure compliance with RPDO policies.
17. Implements disciplinary actions pursuant to RPDO policy.
18. The Deputy Chief will not have an active caseload or assume 1st or 2nd Chair trial duties absent authorization from the CPD under extraordinary circumstances.
19. Assigned to serve on Emergency Preparedness and Response Team for catastrophic events.
20. Frequently travels within Texas and nationally including overnight travel.
21. Performs additional duties as required or directed by the Chief Public Defender.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school AND have the following qualifications:
1. Be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas OR have the ability to obtain a Texas law license within 9 months of appointment.
2. Exhibit proficiency and commitment to providing quality representation to defendants in death penalty cases.
3. First chair death penalty trial experience to verdict. a list of death penalty trials, including the client name, court and cause number must be submitted with application.
4. Have trial experience in:
a. the use of and challenge to mental health or forensic expert witnesses. and
investigating and presenting mitigating evidence at the penalty phase of a death penalty trial.
b. use of the Colorado Method of jury selection.
c. Have at least ten years experience in criminal law and during that time demonstrated that he or she has the required legal knowledge and skill necessary to provide representation in capital felonies and will apply that knowledge and skill with appropriate thoroughness and preparation.
d. Have tried to verdict as lead counsel a significant number of felony trials, including homicide trials and other trials for offenses punishable as first or second-degree felonies or capital felonies, at least one of which was a homicide case.
e. Have participated in continuing legal education courses or other training relating to criminal defense in death penalty cases.
5. Leadership and management experience in a public defender organization or comparable leadership experience.
6. Exhibit commitment to growth in organizational management, leadership and coaching skills
