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Join our office as an entry-level Deputy Public Defender and begin your career in indigent defense. You will handle a misdemeanor caseload from arraignment through trial, gaining immediate courtroom experience under the mentorship of senior attorneys. This is a unique opportunity to develop trial skills while serving the constitutional right to counsel for those who cannot afford an attorney.
We are seeking an experienced trial attorney to join our felony division. As a Deputy Public Defender II, you will handle serious felony cases including violent crimes, drug trafficking, and three-strikes matters. This position requires strong trial skills and the ability to manage complex cases with significant consequences for clients. You will work with a dedicated defense team including investigators and social workers.
Our office seeks a seasoned senior trial attorney for the most complex and high-stakes criminal cases. As a Deputy Public Defender III, you will handle cases involving life sentences, sexual assault, homicide (non-capital), and complex multi-defendant conspiracies. You will serve as a resource and mentor for less experienced attorneys and may supervise a small team. This role demands exceptional trial skills, deep legal knowledge, and the composure to handle the most difficult cases in the criminal justice system.
We are recruiting a capital defense attorney to represent clients facing the death penalty or life without the possibility of parole (LWOP). This position requires extraordinary skill, dedication, and emotional resilience. You will lead a defense team that includes co-counsel, investigators, mitigation specialists, and mental health professionals. California's capital defense practice demands mastery of both the guilt and penalty phases, as well as deep commitment to the dignity and humanity of every client.
We are hiring a Specialty Court Attorney to represent clients in therapeutic and problem-solving court programs. This position focuses on collaborative justice models including drug court, mental health court, veterans treatment court, and similar diversion programs. The ideal candidate combines criminal defense skills with a deep understanding of substance use disorders, mental health treatment, and trauma-informed advocacy. You will work closely with treatment providers, probation, and the court to achieve outcomes that prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration.
The Federal Public Defender for the [District] of California seeks an Assistant Federal Public Defender to represent individuals charged with federal crimes. Federal criminal defense practice involves complex investigations, substantial discovery, and federal sentencing guidelines. This position offers the opportunity to practice at the highest level of criminal defense, handling matters including drug conspiracies, fraud, immigration offenses, firearms violations, and other federal crimes.
The [County Name] Conflict Panel seeks qualified criminal defense attorneys to accept appointments in cases where the public defender has a conflict of interest. Panel attorneys operate as independent contractors and are compensated on a per-case or hourly basis. This is an excellent opportunity for attorneys in private practice to maintain a steady flow of appointed work while preserving their independence. Cases range from misdemeanors to serious felonies depending on the attorney's experience and panel tier.
We are seeking an Appellate Defender to represent clients on direct appeal and in post-conviction proceedings. Appellate defense work requires exceptional legal research and writing skills, a meticulous eye for record review, and the ability to identify and develop novel legal arguments. Our appellate unit handles appeals from criminal convictions and sentences in the California Courts of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, and habeas corpus proceedings in state and federal courts.
We are hiring a Juvenile Defense Attorney to represent minors in delinquency proceedings. Juvenile defense is a specialized practice requiring knowledge of adolescent brain development, the juvenile court system, and the unique rights of young people. You will advocate for youth charged with offenses ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies, with a focus on rehabilitation, education, and family reunification. This role requires compassion, patience, and a commitment to keeping young people out of the adult criminal justice system.
We seek an experienced criminal defense attorney to lead a trial unit within our office. The Managing Attorney supervises a team of 8-15 attorneys plus support staff, manages case assignments, ensures quality representation, and maintains compliance with caseload standards. This position combines active casework (typically handling the unit's most complex matters) with supervisory and administrative responsibilities. The ideal candidate is a proven trial attorney with strong leadership skills and a commitment to building the next generation of public defenders.
The County of [County Name] invites applications for the position of Chief Public Defender. The Chief Public Defender leads the office responsible for providing constitutionally mandated legal representation to indigent persons accused of crimes. This executive position oversees all aspects of office operations including budget management, personnel administration, policy development, and community relations. The Chief Public Defender reports to the County Board of Supervisors and serves as the public face of indigent defense in the county.
We are hiring a Criminal Defense Investigator to conduct factual investigations in support of our attorneys and their clients. Defense investigators are essential members of the defense team, responsible for locating and interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, conducting scene investigations, and developing case theories. This position requires strong interpersonal skills, cultural competence, and the ability to work independently in the community, often in challenging environments.
We seek a Mitigation Specialist or Defense Social Worker to join our defense team. This position focuses on developing comprehensive psychosocial histories, connecting clients to services, and presenting mitigation evidence to courts, parole boards, and prosecutors. The Mitigation Specialist works closely with attorneys to humanize clients and advocate for alternatives to incarceration. This role requires deep empathy, cultural competence, and expertise in trauma, mental health, and substance use disorders.
We are seeking a dedicated Paralegal or Legal Assistant to support our criminal defense attorneys. The Defense Paralegal plays a critical role in case preparation by organizing discovery, drafting legal documents, coordinating with clients and witnesses, and managing case files. This position is ideal for someone passionate about criminal justice who wants to contribute meaningfully to the defense of individuals accused of crimes.
We seek an attorney with expertise at the intersection of criminal and immigration law to advise our defense team on immigration consequences of criminal convictions. Following Padilla v. Kentucky, effective criminal defense requires accurate advice on deportation, inadmissibility, and other immigration consequences. The Crimmigration Specialist provides case-specific advice to trial attorneys, represents noncitizen clients in criminal proceedings, and develops disposition strategies that minimize adverse immigration consequences while achieving just outcomes in the criminal case.