LEGAL FELLOW

The Shelby County Public Defender’s Legal Fellows program provides opportunities for outstanding law school graduates who have not yet passed the bar exam to help provide high-quality, client-centered legal representation to indigent people in the justice systems of Shelby County, Tennessee.

Competitive candidates, who may be hired as full-time assistant public defenders after becoming licensed attorneys, will have a deep and demonstrated commitment to the defense of indigent people; excellent analytical, problem-solving, time-management, oral and written communication skills; the proven ability to work both collaboratively and independently; and a strong work ethic.

Established in 1917 as one of the first public defender offices in the nation, the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender has a long legacy as a regional and national leader in equal justice. We are committed to cutting-edge practices in representing more than 20,000 adults and children each year at every level of the criminal legal system, from municipal court to the United States Supreme Court. We are proud to represent indigent people in Shelby County — one of the nation’s most important cultural centers, with a deep history of struggle for racial and economic justice.

We accept fellowship applications on a rolling basis beginning September through March of each year. Applicants should email a cover letter, résumé and writing sample to the Chief Public Defender in care of executive legal secretary, Ms. Patrina Robinson, at Patrina.Robinson@shelbycountytn.gov.

Position Summary

The Legal Fellow’s primary responsibility is to help the Shelby County Public Defender 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.

Core Competencies

• Communication — Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations and to build effective professional relationships with clients and colleagues.

• Collaboration — Demonstrated ability to collaborate closely with colleagues and to work independently when appropriate.

Client-Centered—Ability to represent clients in a client-centered manner.

• 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.

• Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

• Time Management — Managing one's own time and respecting 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.

• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

• Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

• Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting constructive 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 on or before May of the fellowship year.

• Must obtain license to fully practice law in Tennessee prior to December 31st of the year following admission into the Shelby County Public Defender’s Fellowship program. It is expected that new law school graduates will plan to sit for the July Bar Exam that immediately follows graduation from law school.

• Must reside in Shelby County, Tennessee, before employment starts.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Experience as an intern or extern in an established public defender office or other demonstrated commitment to the defense of indigent people in the justice system, including to the mission, vision and values of the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office.

• Knowledge of, and the ability to learn and apply, substantive and procedural criminal 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.

• 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

• Legal Fellows are hired as temporary employees of Shelby County Government. No fringe benefits are provided.

• Memphis is one of the least expensive major cities in the country.