The Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services is seeking to fill two (2) Assistant Defender I positions in the Penobscot/Piscataquis Public Defender Office.
MCILS is an independent commission whose purpose is to provide efficient, high-quality representation to indigent citizens who are entitled to counsel at state expense. The Penobscot/Piscataquis Public Defender Office will be comprised of a district defender, five employed defenders and three support staff members, with the possibility that additional positions could be added in the future. The ability to telework at times is available.
JOB DUTIES:
The Assistant Defender I must have compassion for indigent clients; possess strong communication, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills; have the ability to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, 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. This position requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
The Assistant Defender I will be responsible for trying cases in the Unified Criminal Docket and handling their own appeals to the Law Court as well as second chair cases with the Assistant Defender II. The Assistant Defender I is expected to see clients in jail in a timely manner and communicate regularly with the client and other approved parties. The Assistant Defender I position will report to the District Defender.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following coursework/training and/or experience).
A Law degree from an accredited law school and experience practicing law in a field directly related to area of assignment and including demonstrated experience working highly technical and/or analytical cases.
LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class).
Admitted to practice law in Maine and currently registered with the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar.
Preference will be given to those with five (5) years criminal law experience.