Join our team as an Attorney
Position Announcement
The Shelby County Public Defender is hiring Assistant Public Defenders to provide high-quality, client-centered legal representation to indigent people in the justice systems of Shelby County, Tennessee.
Competitive candidates will have a deep and demonstrated commitment to the defense of indigent people; excellent communication, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills; the proven ability to work both collaboratively and independently; and a strong work ethic.
Established in 1917 as the first public defender east of the Mississippi, the Shelby County Public Defender has a long legacy as a national leader in standing up for equal justice. We are committed to cutting-edge practices in representing more than 30,000 adults and children each year at every level of the justice system, from municipal court to the United States Supreme Court. We are proud to stand up for the vulnerable people of Shelby County — one of the nation’s most important cultural centers, with a deep history of struggle for racial and economic justice.
Position Summary
The Assistant Public Defender’s primary responsibility is to provide zealous, high-quality, ethical, and client-centered legal representation to accused people in the trial and appellate courts of Shelby County and the State of Tennessee.
Job Responsibilities
• Represent the stated interests of clients zealously and ethically while providing counsel.
• Immediately work to establish relationships of trust and confidence with clients and communicate regularly, compassionately, and respectfully on behalf of and with clients.
• Investigate factual bases for allegations and obtain and review all relevant information.
• Evaluate the State’s evidence and consider inconsistencies, potential avenues of impeachment of State witnesses, and other possible suspects and alternative theories.
• Develop creative and complete defense theories and case strategies.
• When representing clients with mental health issues, work particularly closely with them to ensure they understand their options — and explore all mental state questions that might be raised.
• Study the federal and Tennessee constitutions, statutes, and decisions to keep abreast of the law and identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information.
• Negotiate with prosecutors to obtain favorable dispositions in keeping with clients’ stated interests.
• Prepare, draft, and file legal documents including motions, orders, briefs, and sentencing memoranda.
• Prepare in advance for court proceedings.
• Conduct hearings and trials.
• Investigate matters related to sentencing and prepare and present arguments for favorable sentencing.
• Document and maintain client files and other administrative tasks and management functions related to the practice of law including review and preparation of dockets.
• Appear in courts as needed to represent clients and/or assist colleagues or the office generally.
• Connect clients to community-based assistance including mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, education and job training assistance, and mentorship programs.
• Advocate for clients’ social needs and life goals, including assisting with collateral consequences of justice system involvement and post-disposition matters like expungements, court costs waivers, and restoration of rights and privileges.
• Continuously improve by building new skills and taking advantage of professional development opportunities.
• Collaborate with other staff in realizing the Public Defender’s mission and vision through contributing to and improving existing projects and new project development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Reporting Relationships
The assistant public defender reports to a supervising attorney as well as on occasion to an administrator.
Core Competencies
• Communication — Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations and to build meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Collaboration — Demonstrated ability to collaborate closely with colleagues and to work independently when appropriate.
• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively, especially in public courtroom settings to juries and judges.
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
• Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Time Management — Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to clients, colleagues, and others.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
• Work Ethic — dedication, responsibility, and commitment to achieving goals.
Education and Other Requirements
• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Licensed in good standing to practice law in Tennessee, or willingness and ability to attain bar licensure in Tennessee.
• Must reside in Shelby County, Tennessee, before employment starts.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications
• Experience as an attorney carrying a significant caseload in an established public defender office or other demonstrated commitment to the defense of indigent people in the justice system and to the mission, vision, and values of the Shelby County Public Defender.
• Expertise in, and the ability to learn and apply, substantive and procedural law, legal research and writing skills, and trial practice skills.
• Specialized knowledge in areas that are important to defense advocacy on behalf of underprivileged people, including the collateral consequences of arrests and convictions; government programs and social service providers that work with vulnerable people; and rules and regulations applicable to law enforcement and penal institutions.
• Proficiency in the use of relevant technology, including case management systems.
• Optimistic outlook combined with the humor, integrity, and patience necessary to help build and sustain a positive and supportive office culture.
• Willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Adaptability to change and considerable variety in the workplace.
Compensation and Benefits
• Salary is based upon experience; starting range for new law graduates is near $70,000, with higher salaries for experienced attorneys. Benefit options include medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance through Cigna.
• Shelby County is one of the least expensive major metropolitan areas in the country, with a low cost but high standard of living.
Statement on Non-Discrimination
The Shelby County Public Defender provides equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, ethnicity, class, public benefit, political view, military status, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, family structure, prior record of arrest or conviction,