TLAS Fellowship Program, Assistant Public Defender, and Case Manager Positions Positions

Position Title: TLAS Fellowship Program (3-5 positions available)
Division: Felony and Misdemeanor (Combination)
Description: The TLAS Fellowship Program provides meaningful training and experience for entry-level attorneys. Each Fellow will be paired with an attorney from the felony division and an attorney from the misdemeanor division. These pairings establish a mentoring relationship with experienced attorneys and provide a strong foundation for a career in criminal defense. Fellows will engage in client interviews; conduct arraignments and bond modification hearings; negotiate with prosecutors; research legal issues; participate in trials and suppression hearings; draft sentencing memorandum; and participate in sentencing hearings. To provide the most beneficial experience, each Fellow must be licensed to practice law in Ohio prior to beginning their fellowship. Fellows must commit to a one-year term and must work 16-20 hours each week, on average. Fellows are eligible to apply for permanent positions with The Toledo Legal Aid Society and, ideally, it is hoped that successful participants will continue their careers with our office. (TLAS Fellowship Program participants may establish/maintain a private practice and may accept court appointments)
Compensation: $21,000.00

Position Title: Assistant Public Defender (One position)
Division: Toledo Municipal Court
Description: This Assistant Public Defender will work, on average, 25 hours per week representing indigent defendants on misdemeanor charges and probation violations in the Toledo Municipal Court. This attorney will be assigned to a judge and the dockets follow a seven week rotation. There will be a trial docket on three mornings per week during four weeks of the rotation. This attorney will work five mornings a week when the judge is assigned to a misdemeanor arraignment docket and during Duties Week. Finally, this attorney will not be scheduled when the judge is assigned to a felony arraignment docket in the seventh week of the rotation. This attorney must reserve a minimum of one morning or afternoon per week to meet with clients; to review videos and other discovery; to visit clients at the jail; and to complete other necessary tasks. Additional time may be required for trials or hearings if they are scheduled outside of the regularly scheduled criminal dockets.
(Assistant Public Defenders may maintain a private practice but may not accept court appointed cases in criminal, traffic, or delinquency matters in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas or in a municipal court located in Lucas County, Ohio)
Salary: $33,000.00, plus health insurance and other benefits.

Position Title: Opportunity Project Case Manager (Two positions available)
Division: The Opportunity Project
Description: A Case Manager involved in this newly created project will be paired with an Assistant Public Defender. The Opportunity Project is designed to more effectively and efficiently represent clients with alcohol/drug dependency; mental health issues; and other needs when they are involved in the criminal justice system. Ideally, an earlier identification of client needs and a more meaningful connection to behavioral health and other services will positively impact the outcome of a client’s case and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.

Duties: In addition to consistent and reliable attendance, the following duties are essential to this position. The listed duties are not to be construed as all-inclusive and other duties may be required or assigned. Each successful candidate will conduct in-custody (Lucas County Corrections Center) and out-of-custody client interviews; identify behavioral and mental health issues that may be obstacles; collect, review, and provide documentation from past and current community service providers, including assessments and recommendations for services, placements, housing, and client compliance; develop, implement, and monitor a case management plan according to the needs of the individual; provide courtroom testimony (if necessary); develop best practice guides for common client needs; and update and maintain a guide of community resources and contact persons for service providers.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice or related field supplemented by previous experience in social services, criminal justice or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Certifications: LCDC II, LSW, LISW, LPCC, preferred but not required.

Skills: Experience working in criminal justice; experience working with individuals with mental health disorders or behavioral health issues; familiarity with substance abuse or mental health program referral process; ability to work as part of a team; interest in social justice and criminal law; experience and/or willingness to visit clients at the county jail, or treatment locations around Lucas County, Ohio; demonstrated oral and written communication and organizational skills; proficiency in using word processing and spreadsheet software; education or experience in tasks requiring accuracy and attention to detail; situational reasoning to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable. This position requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.