Supervising Assistant Public Defender - Death Penalty

Position Description

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is seeking dedicated leaders to fill three Supervising Assistant Public Defender (APD) positions in the Death Penalty Department.

The Supervising APD position requires a leader who models a strong commitment to indigent defense, the capacity to work with clients facing the ultimate penalty, and the compassion to professionally interact with all segments of the criminal legal system, including clients, internal and outside counsel, administrative professionals, investigators and mitigation specialists, victims or victims’ family members, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, jurors, medical professionals, and mental health professionals. The OPD is seeking candidates who possess and exercise leadership skills to effectively supervise Assistant Public Defenders – which includes training, ability to support and communicate with staff about agency policies; mentoring, and coaching Assistant Public Defenders; working collaboratively on defense teams; ensuring that the agency’s Mission, Vision, and Values are communicated to staff, integrated into their goals, and reflected in their work on behalf of clients.

The essential duties of a Supervising Attorney in the Death Penalty Department include:

Supervision & Leadership

A Death Penalty Department Supervisor directly supervises capital defense attorneys who provide post-verdict capital representation on direct appeal, in postconviction, in federal habeas, in clemency, and in collateral litigation related to those areas of representation. Duties include reviewing, editing, and approving work products drafted by staff attorneys; and assisting attorneys in preparing for oral arguments.

Supervisors complete timely annual performance evaluations, work with employees to set performance goals, coach to develop performance, prioritize and approve work schedules, identify and/or approve training opportunities for staff, approve work and leave time for payroll purposes, and carry out other administrative tasks. Supervisors also serve on hiring panels to assist in filling vacant positions.

Respond to inquiries from county public defenders and private-practice counsel regarding various procedural and substantive aspects of criminal law.

As a member of the OPD Leadership Team, appears on behalf of the State Public Defender to discuss law and policy; attends meetings as assigned, assists in formation of department and agency policy. May be required to work on specific projects as assigned by the Department Managing Attorney and/or the State Public Defender. May instruct and assist outside counsel in fields of expertise; may be temporarily assigned to perform duties of a Managing Assistant Public Defender at the direction of the State Public Defender.

Team Defense

Capital litigation typically involves a team of attorneys, mitigation specialists, fact investigators, and administrative professionals. Death Penalty Department Supervisors act as Case Supervisor for assigned cases in the Death Penalty Department. Case Supervisors are responsible for developing, facilitating, and fostering a team defense concept. Members of a capital defense team work collaboratively with all the team members by including all team members in all case communications (emails, meetings, etc.); sharing ideas and encouraging other team members to share their ideas; and maintaining accurate and current case file information available to all team members. Timely, accurate, and clear communication among all team members is essential. Team members are expected to communicate effectively with each other and to seek clarification when necessary. Case Supervisors model this behavior for team members, mentor and coach team members on successful team defense communication and intervene when necessary to address problematic team dynamics. Case Supervisors monitor and enforce team compliance with Department Best Practices. Supervisors carry a reduced caseload where they may act as lead counsel or co-counsel as necessary.

The position does require in-office time: two days a week are spent in the office and potentially other days as required to meet business needs. Other job duties require meeting with clients in person where they are incarcerated, occasional travel throughout the state and outside the state, and appearances in court. Flexibility to work from home up to three days per week is available.

**Please submit a cover letter and a writing sample with your application. Applications without a cover letter and writing sample will not be reviewed.**

The Supervising APD position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s E-1 Pay Range 14, presented below in table format. Starting pay will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; Candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 6 months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.