Deputy Public Defender - Staunton/Lexington

Title: Deputy Public Defender - Staunton/Lexington

State Role Title: Legal Services Manager I

Hiring Range: $108,104 State Benefits

Agency: Indigent Defense Commission

Location: STAUNTON/LEXINGTON 301

Agency Website: www.vadefenders.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Virginia Defenders- Indigent Defense Commission (IDC) is excited to announce the opportunity to be on the front lines of what many consider to be the modern-day Civil Rights Movement-criminal justice and justice reform. This is a unique platform to develop and pursue social change and impact the lives of clients. The IDC’s Staunton/Lexington Public Defender Office is seeking an experienced, dynamic criminal defense attorney who will serve our mission of protecting and defending the rights and dignity of clients through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Deputy Public Defender reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Staunton/Lexington Office and is employed at-will.

Duties:
The Deputy will serve as a role model for client-centered representation and collaborative office culture. The Deputy will be responsible for trying cases in the General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts in Staunton, Augusta County, Waynesboro, Rockbridge County and Buena Vista. Additional duties of the Deputy position include assisting the Chief Public Defender in supervising and training attorneys; assisting with oversight of jurisdictional teams and with individual defense teams by providing direction and guidance during all phases of our representation of our clients, including case preparation, trial strategies, client contacts and communications, plea negotiation, appellate practice, and sentencing advocacy; working with the Chief Public Defender to ensure that attorneys and staff receive appropriate training and continuing education; working with the Chief Public Defender to to ensure all attorneys receive and maintain certification for court appointments and fully comply with the Standards of Practice for Indigent Defense Counsel; submitting input on and carefully managing the office budget; and, when necessary, preparing and ensuring all required administrative reports and documentation are timely submitted. Duties of the Deputy position also include serving as the acting Chief Public Defender in the absence of the Chief Public Defender.

The IDC is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our workforce and staff. We encourage and welcome qualified applicants of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D) and Virginia State Bar admission or eligibility for admission by waiver, as well as extensive criminal litigation experience, comprehensive knowledge of Virginia Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and the Standards of Practice for Indigent Defense Counsel are required.
• Applicants must have five or more years of experience as a criminal defense attorney.
• Teamwork is highly valued in this office, and the applicants must have demonstrated proficiency in working with others as a member of defense teams to achieve successful outcomes for clients.
• Applicants must communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Applicants must have a strong record of jury trial experience.
• Applicants must have strong organization skills, including time-management, attention to detail, and accurate record-keeping.
A valid driver’s license and the means to travel to all courts and regional jails is required.

Additional Considerations

• Applicants should have experience mentoring new attorneys and interns.
• Applicants should be familiar with services in the Staunton/Augusta/Waynesboro and Rockbridge County areas and have a demonstrated ability to work with other community stakeholders to advance services for our clients.
• Applicants should have a working knowledge of the various alternative programs that are available in the SAW/Rockbridge area, including the Recovery Court and Therapeutic Docket programs.
• Applicants should have experience developing professional relationships with other attorneys across the state and nationally.

Special Instructions

Applications for this position require a cover letter and resume. Failure to submit both may disqualify you from further consideration.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

While creating an account through the state system will save your basic information (please remember your username and password), applications are NOT saved for future openings. We encourage you to apply to any and all of the positions you may be considering within the IDC.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. IDC uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship.

Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. IDC does not accept “see resume” as a response to any question. Information on the application is the primary source used for screening the position. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

This position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) depending on your type of loan.

Edits cannot be made to the application once you have received a confirmation number. Phone calls are not accepted regarding an inquiry into the status of an application. Please login to the RMS system for status updates.

Contact Information

Name: Ashley Washington

Phone: 804-662-7249

Email: recruiting@vadefenders.org

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.