Law Office of the Hamilton County Public Defender
Is this position in person, remote, or hybrid: In Person
What is the salary or wage for this position: $80,256 / year
Start date for this position: August 2026
Open Position(s): Staff Attorney, Municipal Court Division
The Hamilton County Public Defender is seeking passionate and dedicated candidates who are ready to engage in client-centered advocacy and holistic representation for clients in the Cincinnati area. Staff Attorneys engage in spirited and creative litigation while also contributing to innovative defense strategies and systemic reform efforts.
Division Overview
Staff Attorneys in the Municipal Division represent adults charged with misdemeanor criminal offenses in the Hamilton County Municipal Court. The Staff Attorney position is the entry-level litigation attorney position at the Hamilton County Public Defender. As the attorney’s skill level and experience increases, they will be assigned more complex work. This includes cross-training on felony cases and even working on selected felony jury trials. Once an attorney demonstrates full competence in the defense litigation required in municipal court, they are eligible for promotion to the Youth or Felony divisions.
Position Summary
Staff Attorneys at the Hamilton County Public Defender are expected to handle all phases of litigation in their assigned cases. This includes arraignment, demanding and reviewing discovery, conducting legal research and analysis, writing briefs, motions, and other legal documents, attending all court appearances, arguing motions, and conducting trials. In addition to litigation, Staff Attorneys must also communicate regularly with their clients, both in the community and at the local jail. Staff Attorneys are one part of the holistic defense team. They work in a collaborative environment with social workers, investigators, and administrative support staff. Due to the nature of the work and the arraignment court schedule, Staff Attorneys are occasionally required to work nights, weekends, and other non-traditional schedules.
Examples of Duties
Client Communication. Interview new clients and obtain relevant case information; advise clients of their rights and legal options at each phase of the case; keep clients informed of their case status, court or hearing dates, and negotiations with prosecutors; meet with clients to discuss the discovery on their case; counsel clients on the applicable law, potential legal outcomes, and collateral consequences so they can make informed decisions in their case.
Legal Knowledge. Evaluate the factual and legal issues in each client’s case by doing the necessary legal research and analysis; maintain an ongoing knowledge of criminal law, legislative activities, current policing and prosecuting procedures, and significant court decisions; complete all necessary CLE hours.
Holistic Defense. Identify areas of a case ripe for social service or investigative intervention; communicate case needs timely and clearly; participate in the process.
Advocacy. Develop a case theory; take the appropriate legal steps to best defend clients at pretrial and evidentiary hearings; find and articulate creative solutions to pre-trial and post-conviction incarceration; prepare the case for trial and determine trial strategy; execute all phases of a bench or jury trial; negotiate with prosecutors when appropriate; present mitigation to the court.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.
Jurist Doctorate or Juris Doctorate expected in the spring of 2026.
Licensed to practice in Ohio, or eligible to sit for the July 2026 Ohio Bar Exam.
Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
Working knowledge of substantive legal issues regularly addressed by attorneys in criminal law.
History of a demonstrated commitment to providing criminal legal services to indigent clients.
Ability to handle multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
How to Apply
To be considered for the Staff Attorney position all applicants must submit:
(1) a cover letter that includes a response to the question “Why do you want to be a public defender?” (Please Include a discussion of your background and/or any personal experience significantly contributing to your desire to do this work),
(2) a resume, and
(3) a list of three references (name, e-mail address, telephone number, and a brief statement of how each reference can evaluate your skills).
Submissions will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis. For questions about the hiring process, application requirements, or assistance with applying, please contact Maggie Stork at [email protected].
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