Assistant Public Defender 1 - Intake Section

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is seeking a dedicated and zealous Assistant Public Defender 1 (APD 1) to join the Intake Section of its Legal Department. The Intake Section of the Legal Department is often the first point of contact between the Office of the Ohio Public Defender and incarcerated people and their loved ones. The section receives requests for assistance through letter and phone and is responsible for both evaluating claims for legal viability and communicating with incarcerated people and their loved ones with clarity, empathy, and respect. The section refers cases for litigation, offers resources and support to people who the office is unable to represent, and develops accessible legal information to provide people who encounter the criminal legal system.

The position will work closely with three fellow Intake attorneys and a supervising attorney and will collaborate with colleagues on client advocacy across the Legal Department. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to indigent defense and compassion for clients. Further, excellent interpersonal skills, a desire to expand one’s legal knowledge and skills, and an ability to accept constructive feedback are valuable attributes for an APD 1.

Under the direction of the Intake Section Supervisor, the APD 1 will review cases for merit; respond to correspondence from incarcerated people, courts, and outside counsel; provide direct representation for clients; and develop systems for delivery of legal information to incarcerated people. The position currently offers you the opportunity to work from home for a portion of time, so a successful candidate will also be self-motivated and comfortable communicating via Teams or other conferencing software during those times.