Assistant Public Defender - Death Penalty Department

You will represent indigent death-sentenced clients in all stages of post-trial litigation and executive clemency. Post-trial litigation may include direct appeal, post-conviction, and federal habeas corpus litigation. You will join the Death Penalty Department, which emphasizes a client-centered, team approach to representation; you will most often be working with a team of attorneys, mitigation specialists, fact investigators, and core administrative staff. To be successful in the position, you will: have a strong commitment to indigent defense, and have the capacity and compassion to work with clients facing the ultimate penalty; possess strong analytical and reasoning skills, and be an effective and persuasive communicator – both written and verbal; be able to work collaboratively as a member of a defense team, including accepting and providing constructive feedback; continually engage in professional development, focusing on advancements in the law, forensics, psychology, and other related fields; be able to think creatively to identify, develop, and litigate (with appropriate supervision and support) issues and theories during each stage of the proceedings, often with an emphasis on changing the narrative from the case presented at trial; and maintain appropriate respect and professionalism with our clients, their families and supporters, victims’ and their families, witnesses, former jurors, attorneys, judges and courtroom staff, and others we encounter as we advocate for our clients.