Assistant Public Defender - Lima, Oh

You are here

Job location
205 West Market Street
Lima, OH 45801
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Office of the Ohio Public Defender
Street address: 
205 West Market Street
City: 
Lima
State: 
Ohio
ZIP: 
45801
Job type: 
Legal - Defender
Position Description: 

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is seeking a qualified attorney to serve as an Assistant Public Defender (APD) in the Northwest Regional Hub (NWRH) of our Trial Services Division. The NWRH is located in Lima, OH and serves individuals in Allen County, Hardin County, and Putnam County. The APD position will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges in Common Pleas, Municipal, and Juvenile courts within those counties. While, generally, all APDs in our office may represent individuals in all listed courts and jurisdictions, this position will primarily serve in the Allen County Municipal Court. Note: the position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court and does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation.  

The successful APD candidate will thrive in a close-knit team environment and be interested in trial-level work and providing client service in a fast-paced work environment. A successful candidate will also be eager to work with a supervisor to learn the intricacies of the position and provide high-quality representation.

Essential duties of this position include but are not limited to:

Prepare cases for trial
Try cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel
Represent clients in community control violations
Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations
Examine witnesses
Present legal arguments and evidence
*Please submit a writing sample and cover letter with your application. Applications without these attachments will not be reviewed. *

Requirements: 

Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01. Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases. Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.02.

To apply: 

Candidates can apply through the careers.ohio.gov link.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary range: 
$74,214 - $105,560
Submission deadline: 
Monday, January 26, 2026