Assistant Public Defender I

Summary

Appointed by the Chief Public Defender, the Assistant Public Defender I will be tasked with developing all the necessary skills that embody and are required for a capital trial lawyer. The Assistant Public Defender I will be required to spend a substantial amount of time learning and developing mitigation in a capital case.  The Assistant Public Defender I will not serve as a first chair attorney in a capital case. 

The successful Assistant Public Defender I will handle assigned tasks in a capital case under the direction of the first chair attorney and leadership team.  The Assistant Public Defender I will be responsible providing legal representation for defendants in criminal proceedings and ensuring their constitutional rights are upheld.  They serve as second chair counsel in capital cases and perform functions as directed.  They will work diligently developing legal skills to facilitate the eventual first chair representation of capital defendants. 

Essential Duties

INDIGENT CLIENT REPRESENTATION 

1. Provides legal advice to clients.  Interviews clients and witnesses to obtain information necessary for preparing a defense. 
2. Participates in plea negotiation with prosecutors regarding cases.  Advises clients on plea offers, options, and potential for success at trial or other dispositions of cases. 
3. Seeks from the Court any necessary funding for outside experts in the preparation of a defense. 
4. Performs legal research.  Searches resources and studies legal records and documents to obtain information applicable to case issues as necessary. 
5. Obtains documents by subpoena and other discovery methods. 
6. Drafts briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports. 
7. Identifies any affirmative or de facto defenses and tactical procedural choices for clients. 
8. Prepares cases for court and conducts hearings and trials related to pending cases. 
9. Provides narrative, descriptive entries in client files of opinions, impressions, and facts collected. 
10. Preserves any potential points of error. 
11. Advises clients of the constitutional rights waived by pleading guilty and the potential direct and collateral consequences of a guilty plea.  Advises non-citizen clients of the specific immigration consequences of criminal convictions. 
12. Selects juries according to RPDO policy. 
13. Examines and cross-examines witnesses, drafts and argues jury instructions and argues cases to the jury 
14. May review or work on other cases assigned to the office with attorneys and staff. 
15. Responds to telephone calls from non-clients and family members of clients in a timely manner. 

Qualification Requirements

J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school and meet the following qualifications:

1. Be licensed to practice law in Texas or the ability to obtain a Texas license within 9 months of starting date;
2. Exhibit commitment to providing quality representation to indigent defendants and developing the skills and experience to represent capital defendants as a first chair attorney;
3. Extensive courtroom litigation experience, including at least one felony trial to verdict as lead counsel, or comparable civil trial experience preferably in complex litigation, including but not limited to deposition practice, motion practice, working with experts. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities   

• Willingness to work and behave in a manner consistent with the Mission, Vision and Values of the RPDO. 
• Ability to work in a team, as team functioning is fundamental to the RPDO. 
• Substantial knowledge and understanding of the relevant (criminal) state, federal and international law, both procedural and substantive, and a commitment to learn state, federal and international law, both procedural and substantive, governing capital cases. 
• Skill in interviewing a variety of individuals and soliciting needed information to determine facts and circumstances. 
• Skill in developing effective defense strategies, in analyzing cases and applying legal principles, in presenting statements of law clearly and logically in written and verbal form. 
• Skill in presenting an effective defense in court, and in preparing clear, concise, accurate and effective legal arguments as well as preserving the record on appeal and for habeas counsel. 
• Skill in the management and conduct of complex negotiations and litigation. 
• Skill in legal research, analysis, and the drafting of litigation documents.  
•  Skill in oral advocacy. 
•  Skill in the use of expert witnesses. 
• Skill in the elements of trial advocacy, such as jury selection, cross-examination of witnesses, and opening and closing statements. 
• Skill in managing multiple cases simultaneously. 
• Skill in communicating effectively with diverse groups of individuals utilizing tact and diplomacy.    
• Ability to handle stressful cases. 
• Ability to adjust to rapidly fluctuating situations. 
• Ability to operate a personal computer and basic office equipment. 
•  Ability to keep accurate notes and records. 
• Ability to prepare and present clear, concise and comprehensive reports. 
• Ability to read and understand legal codes, cases and technical material in such disciplines as medicine, physical and social sciences. 
• Ability to learn new disciplines of science and social science related to mental health and the common areas of mitigation for capital clients. 
• Ability to obtain information through interview and conversation. 
• Ability to assess the credibility of witnesses. 
• Ability to gather and analyze facts and evidence and draw valid conclusions. 
• Ability to adjust to workload changes and work under stress to meet deadlines. 
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to manage cases efficiently. 
•  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow team members outside organizations, attorneys, and the general public. 
• Ability to comport and comply with RPDO policy, procedures and methods. 
• Demonstrate initiative and the ability to self-start and not wait on direction. 
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn and ask for help from his/her team or others within RPDO.  
• Demonstrate positive office behavior with respect to time, attendance, attitude and ego management conducive to learning and functioning in a team environment. 
• Willingness to cooperate with leadership. 

Physical and Environmental Requirements

Physical requirements include lifting/carrying 25 lbs. occasionally; visual acuity, speech and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computer keyboard and basic office equipment. Subject to sitting, standing, walking, reaching and handling to perform the essential functions. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, liability insurance as required by law and be able to safely operate a vehicle in furtherance of job requirements.

To Apply

• Email resume,
• a felony list (court and cause number may be requested)
• three professional references, 
• as well as a statement of interest in practicing death penalty defense to jobs@rpdo.org