Public defender Jobs in New York, NY

Job Overview :

Public Defenders serve as a defense attorney for indigent clients and other persons in criminal and civil cases who are entitled by law to assistance of counsel. Public defenders are expected to exercise professional judgment andrender competent legal services for all cases handled by the Office of the Public Defender including : felony and misdemeanor criminal charges; youth court proceedings; involuntary mental health or developmental disability commitments; representing parents and children in dependent / neglect matters; and guardianship or conservatorship proceedings, as described in the Montana Public Defender Act Title 47 . Public Defenders must have a passion, commitment, and willingness to work collaboratively with underprivileged populations to, not only, ensure that needed services are provided, they continually advocate and strive to improve the level of services OPD provides to its clients.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities) :

The job duties and responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to the following :

A. Client Representation (95%)

• Represents clients in court, during hearings or before other legal proceedings and government entities; includes cases at the Montana Supreme Court as necessary.
• Provides legal defense in cases that may be high-profile, involve significant liability exposure or death penalty, life in prison.
• Reviews and prepares legal documents including but not limited to opinions, forms, contracts and / or other legal agreements.
• Prepares appropriate findings of fact, conclusions of law, orders after appropriate legal proceedings.
• Prepares evidence, exhibits, and legal documents necessary to litigate cases.
• Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules.
• Identifies and Interviews parties, witnesses, and experts involved during the legal proceedings and prepares parties to testify.
• Receives, researches, and responds to questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedure, and / or facilitates a resolution.
• Provides consultation, make recommendations, give appropriate legal advice, settlement negotiations, and / or facilitates legal decisions.
• Provides assistance and / or collaborates with other attorneys during trials and hearings.
• Handles cases with substantial legal precedent as well as analyzes, interprets, and advises about new laws that have no case precedent.
• Serves as a legal advisor across multiple fields of law; may develop expertise in specific fields of law and provide training and guidance as necessary.

B. Other duties as assigned  (5%)

Physical and Environmental Demands : This position works in a variety of settings such as an office or court, setting and has regular visits to jails, detention centers or mental health facilities. Fluctuation of workload may require more than a 40-hour work week and requires occasional exposure to stressful situations. Attendance of continuing legal education seminars to meet Bar requirements is necessary. Depending on location, travel to attend court, trainings and provide services to clients is common, which could be up to 40% of the time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

This position requires :

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience) :

This position requires :

Preferred :