Assistant Public Defender - United States of America - OHIO - Franklin County - Columbus

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in ...

Job description

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period

Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year

Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave

Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)

Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

This position requires travel throughout the state of Ohio to review court records, participate in court hearings and oral arguments, and visit clients who are incarcerated in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The agency maintains a fleet of vehicles for staff to reserve; use of a fleet vehicle requires evidence of a valid driver's license and personal auto insurance coverage.

Intentional omission of relevant information, falsification, or misrepresentation of information on the application will disqualify the applicant. In addition, such intentional acts are grounds for immediate termination of an employee.

Final candidates selected for this position will be required to undergo a drug test. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment. Final candidates selected for this position will also be required to undergo a background check and state income tax check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. 

This position serves at the pleasure and discretion of the State Public Defender. This position serves in a fiduciary relationship to the State Public Defender and will have an unclassified status per Ohio Revised Code A) (9).

Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section

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

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal, Client Advocacy, Organizing and Planning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication and Analyzation. 

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is seeking an attorney to serve as an Assistant Public Defender in the Appeals & Postconviction Department.

The Appeals & Postconviction Department represents clients in each of Ohio's twelve appellate districts as well as the Ohio Supreme Court. The APC Department primarily represents adults in the direct appeal of their conviction following a trial. In 2025, nearly every Assistant Public Defender argued a case in the Ohio Supreme Court, and every attorney argued at least one case in an intermediate court of appeals.

On a case-by-case basis, the APC Department also files postconviction petitions, state and federal writs, and other motions to address deprivations of statutory and constitutional rights. Through this work, the APC Department has obtained new trials, reduced jail terms and prison sentences, and developed caselaw benefiting people throughout Ohio.

Assistant Public Defenders manage their own caseload under the supervision of an experienced supervising attorney. They travel to review the trial record, identify possible appellate claims, consult with the client, draft the appellate briefs, and present oral argument. They also file postconviction petitions and other pleadings as appropriate, participate in moot arguments, and collaborate with colleagues from across the agency.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated a commitment to indigent defense. The candidate also will have strong analytical skills and be adept at legal research and persuasive writing. Excellent interpersonal skills, a desire to expand one's legal knowledge and skills, and an appreciation for constructive feedback are also valued.

Required Documents

To apply, please upload and attach a resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Applications without these materials will not be reviewed.

Salary
Compensation for this position is set by the State of Ohio E1 Exempt Pay Schedule and currently ranges from $74,214 to $105,560. Starting pay may vary based on your relevant experience and state procedures. After you start, you move to the next step in the range after 180 days and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.

FY26 Pay Range

 

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Hourly

$35.68

$37.62

$39.68

$41.82

$44.17

$46.55

$48.47

$50.75

Annual

$74,214

$78,250

$82,534

$86,986

$91,874

$96,824

$100,818

$105,560

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at or

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
Our Vision:    A Fair Justice System.
Our Values:   Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community. 

We are committed to building a work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness and justice for all people.

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