We are seeking NC licensed attorneys, or persons who are awaiting licensure/bar results, to commence immediately or upon licensure.
The District 5 Public Defender Office represents indigent clients in all criminal and juvenile delinquency matters, and parents in abuse, neglect, and dependency matters, and in civil contempt matters. Attorneys will represent indigent criminal clients in district and superior court, as well as parents in abuse, neglect and dependency cases, and any and all other related matters. Lawyers must be cross-trained and capable of handling all casework required to provide quality legal services for indigent clients. Additionally, the applicant will be required to represent clients in treatment court, mental health court, and first appearances.
All applicants must have a strong desire and commitment to client advocacy and indigent defense. Attorney must be attentive to detail, organized, possess an ability to effectively communicate and litigate cases in the courtroom and have exceptional legal research and writing skills. A high level of technology and computer knowledge is essential.
All Assistant Public Defenders must be capable of handling difficult cases and clients, while maintaining positive professional relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public. Attorneys are expected to visit clients at the jail and in prison facilities, and to travel outside the office to conduct other investigative procedures.
As a public service employee, it is expected that all Assistant Public Defenders engage in community service and participate in outreach programs relevant to the services we are providing, including volunteer programs which occur during evenings and weekends.
The District 5 Public Defender Office strives to create a diverse staff with expertise and interest in serving our indigent clients who come to use with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, and disabilities.
Although attorneys are specifically assigned to either the Pender or New Hanover office, there may be occasions when attorneys are required to report to the other office for training, meetings, and other work obligations. Please indicate in your cover letter if you have a preferred office location.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
Knowledge of: Federal, State, common and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, regulatory and common law; NC General Statutes to defend criminal cases; juvenile cases, child support contempt cases and parent representation cases; and legal research methods.
Applicant must be familiar with and prepared to represent parents in abused/neglect and dependency matters.
Will likely be assigned DWI cases and need to be prepared to represent clients with complicated impaired driving cases.
Will likely be assigned to cover treatment court, teen court and other initiatives that may arise to better serve our community.
Applicant will be expected to cover all areas of indigent representation.
Skills in: persuasive communication, writing, interviewing, and organization skills.
Ability to: analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner; and maintain a high volume caseload in a professional and efficient manner.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina. Applicants awaiting NC Bar licensure will be considered.
Applicants with experience in criminal district and/or criminal superior court trials is helpful but not required. Spanish language fluency is preferred but not required.