Deputy Defender - Salem, United States - State of Oregon

Description

Job Description:

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is seeking applicants for Deputy Defender in the Appellate Division's Criminal Appellate Section.

The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is a 13-member commission appointed by the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court based on input from all three branches of Government.

The Commission serves as the governing body for Oregon's public defense system. The Commission provides policy direction and oversight for the administration of the system. The legal services provided by OPDC represent an essential component of Oregon's public safety system.

The mission of OPDC is to ensure constitutionally competent and effective legal representation for persons eligible for a public defender.

The office includes the Executive Division, the Appellate Division, the Trial Division, the Trial Development & Resources Division, and the Administrative Services Division. The agency negotiates contracts with trial level public defense providers and administers and distributes funds for representation and related services for cases during the biennium for criminal, juvenile, and civil commitment cases. The agency provides compliance and oversight to the trial community providers through quality assurance practices, training, and education.

The Trial Division provides court appointed legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients who are charged with criminal offenses in the circuit courts in the State of Oregon. Other services in the agency include, Data Collection and Analysis, General Counsel, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Internal Audit, and Policy Development.

The Appellate Division provides constitutionally mandated representation in the appellate courts to financially eligible persons in criminal cases, to parents in juvenile dependency cases, and to inmates appealing administrative decisions from the Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision.

A Deputy Defender in the Criminal Appellate Section is an entry-level attorney position and provides appellate representation in the state appellate courts to clients in direct appeals from contempt and criminal cases and judicial review of decisions of the Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide appellate representation to clients in contempt cases, misdemeanor and non-complex felony criminal cases and parole cases, while managing a high-volume caseload and working collaboratively in a team environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

CASE MANAGEMENT

• Review transcripts and records from circuit court and parole board proceedings.
• Identify and research potential legal issues for appeal.
• Write and file motions, briefs, and petitions.
• Present oral argument before the state appellate courts.
• Maintain acceptable work production levels.

COMMUNICATION

• Respond to inquiries from clients, opposing counsel, and the courts.
• Respond to inquiries from members of the public and, occasionally, the media and the Oregon State Bar.
• Occasionally serve as "officer of the day" by responding to inquiries from trial attorneys, by handling time-sensitive matters for attorneys who are unavailable, and by responding to various matters that arise during the assigned duty.

TEAMWORK

• Prepare for, attend, and constructively participate in weekly team meetings.
• Edit briefs for attorney colleagues.
• Assist other attorneys in preparation for oral arguments by reading briefs, providing feedback, and participating in moot courts.

ONGOING

• Engage in effective team participation through a willingness to assist and support coworkers, supervisors, and other work-related associations.
• Develop good working relationships with clients, coworkers, and supervisors by actively participating in office-wide activities and programs and by identifying and resolving problems in a constructive, collaborative manner.
• Contribute to a positive, respectful, and productive work environment in a manner that fosters and promotes the importance and value of a diverse, discrimination- and harassment-free workplace.
• Respect diversity of opinions, ideas, and cultural differences.
• Other duties as may assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• An attorney in this position has an interest in and aptitudes for legal research, analysis, and writing.
• The position demands the ability and desire to learn substantive and procedural statutory law, case law, constitutional law, appellate procedure, and the rules of evidence.
• The attorney has the ability and skills to conduct research, collect authority, formulate effective procedural and substantive appellate arguments, and draft persuasive written arguments.
• The attorney must also have interpersonal skills appropriate for working closely with colleagues in a team setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To qualify for consideration for the position, the individual must

be a graduate from an accredited college of law AND

EITHER be a member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar OR willing to sit for the next available Oregon bar examination and successfully pass the examination.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Monthly Salary Range: $8,298-$11,844

Existing state employees eligible for the Public Employee Retirement, will receive a 6.95% increase over and above the salary range listed above. 6% of that increase will be automatically contributed to the employee's retirement account.

Applicants new to state government will become eligible for retirement contributions after six months state service.

The state offers a generous benefit package including contributions toward individual and family health and dental insurance, term life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance. Other benefits include employee paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and personal business leave.

TO APPLY:

Interested applicants must submit the following materials:

• A resumé
• A cover letter, no more than three pages, describing your skills and experience making you a good fit for this position.
• No more than two (2) writing samples totaling no more than 30 pages, of which one (1) writing sample is NOT a published judicial opinion or law review article.

**APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS WITH THEIR APPLICANTION WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE RECRUITMENT**

Veterans Preference:

Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting. For more information, please go to the State website:

The Oregon Public Defense Commission is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is strongly committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce. Assistance will be provided in the recruitment, application, and selection process to applicants with disabilities who request such assistance. Please call as early as possible regarding any assistance you may require.

**This recruitment is scheduled to be open until 11:59pm on ​6/18/2024**