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San Francisco Public Defender

San Francisco, San Francisco County · Bay Area
County Public DefenderActively HiringSEIU Local 1021Low Risk

4.2

Glassdoor Rating

200+

Total Staff

120+

Attorneys

25,000+

Annual Caseload

7

Open Positions

About

Known nationally for pioneering holistic defense and the Clean Slate expungement program. One of the most progressive public defender offices in the country.

Strategic Career Intelligence

Trial Volume

~600 jury trials/year

Source: SF Public Defender Annual Report 2024

Avg. Time to First Trial

3-6 months

Specializations

Holistic DefenseClean Slate/ExpungementImmigration UnitMental Health CourtYoung Adult CourtReentry Services

Career Pathways

Public Defender TrackPrivate PracticeNonprofit DefenseAppellate Practice

Experience Value

Pioneer of holistic defense — unique experience with social workers, investigators, and immigration attorneys embedded in defense team. Clean Slate program provides expungement expertise found nowhere else. National reputation opens doors to policy and leadership positions.

Specialty Courts

Drug CourtMental Health CourtVeterans CourtCommunity Justice CenterYoung Adult Court

Holistic Defense Services

Social WorkersInvestigatorsMitigation SpecialistsClean Slate ProgramImmigration Unit

Open Positions(7)

View All

Deputy Public Defender

San Francisco
$105k$125k
misdemeanorfelony0-2 yearsBilingual Preferred
Apply

Senior Trial Attorney

San Francisco
$155k$190k
felonycapital7-10 years
Apply

Immigration Defense Attorney

San Francisco
$120k$150k
immigration defense3-5 yearsBilingual Preferred
Apply

Social Worker — Defense Team

San Francisco
$78k$98k
felonymisdemeanor2-5 yearsBilingual Preferred
Apply

Clean Slate Coordinator

San Francisco
$75k$92k
expungementreentry1-3 yearsBilingual Preferred
Apply

Managing Attorney — Felony Division

San Francisco
$185k$230k
felonycapital10+ years
Apply

Data Analyst — Defense Metrics

San Francisco
$85k$110k
2-5 years
Apply

Salary Ranges

LevelSalary Range
Entry Level$105,000-$125,000
Mid-Career$130,000-$160,000
Senior$165,000-$200,000
Leadership$210,000-$290,000

Budget & Funding Intelligence

Total Budget

$65M

Low Risk

Primary Sources

City & County of San Francisco FY2025-26 Budget — Public Defender

2025-06-30

Figures cited: $65M PD budget, 1.5% increase

Budget Trend

= Stable

SF's strong tax base supports consistent PD funding. Office is nationally recognized as a model for holistic defense. Low vulnerability reflects institutional stability and political support. However, city budget pressures from pension obligations are a long-term concern.

Quick Info

County
San Francisco
Region
Bay Area
Case Management
Legal Server
Caseload/Attorney
~208
Website
Visit

Union Representation

SEIU Local 1021

Unionized workplace

Benefits

  • SFERS Pension
  • Health/Dental/Vision (SF City plan)
  • PSLF Eligible
  • Paid CLE
  • SEIU Local 1021 Membership
  • Commuter Benefits
  • 12 Paid Holidays

Labor History

2025-03-01

SEIU Local 1021 ratified new 3-year contract with 3.5% annual COLA

SEIU Local 1021

Funding Sources

  • City & County of San Francisco General Fund
  • State Trial Court Trust Fund

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