Attorney

Job Posting Information

The Lancaster County Public Defender’s Office in Lincoln, Nebraska, is seeking a highly motivated candidate for an attorney position. The initial assignment may be in the juvenile or misdemeanor; both entry level and experienced candidates will be considered.

The preferred candidate will have criminal defense experience representing individuals charged with offenses in Nebraska state courts. Applicants should be an attorney dedicated to indigent defense and licensed to practice law in the State of Nebraska, or able to become licensed in the next two months. Applicants should have exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills, an interest in and aptitude for criminal defense litigation, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires teamwork and collaboration with a variety of professionals. Empathy, patience, common sense and a good sense of humor are valued.

Starting salary for an entry level Attorney is $82,451.20 with an excellent benefit package. An increased starting salary will be considered for experienced candidates. Lancaster County provides regular salary increases for attorneys upon successful promotion with probationary and annual reviews, as well as cost of living increases. Current comprehensive salary information can be reviewed here: Attorney Pay Plan 2025 (Download PDF reader).

Applicants should send a cover letter, a current resume, three references, a writing sample, and law school transcript (if you have less than 5 years’ legal experience) to Angela Franssen, at afranssen@lancaster.ne.gov.

Deadline for applications is January 15, 2026.

• Time away from work is important and you will accrue 80 vacation leave hours per calendar year, accrued at a rate of 3.08 hours per pay period with a balance cap of 240 hours.

• You will accrue 104 hours per year of sick leave, at the rate of 4 hours per pay period, not to exceed 2,080 hours.

• The County offers 11 paid holidays and 3 personal convenience days per fiscal year.

• You will be eligible to participate in the County’s comprehensive benefits program. This includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental term life. You will also be able to contribute to a medical and/or dependent care flexible spending account. Your benefits will start the first of the month following your date of hire. Please feel free to contact HR benefits (hrbenefits@lincoln.ne.gov or 402-441-7597, ext 2) with any questions regarding the benefits plans.

• After six months of employment the County will contribute to a Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP) on your behalf. The County will deposit $25.00 per pay period into your PEHP account. This money may be used to pay for eligible medical expenses after you leave County employment.

• The County provides $50,000 of life insurance effective the first of the month following your start date.

• You may elect to participate in the County’s 401(a) Retirement Plan by making a written request to the County board at any time after you become a County employee. If you make 8% voluntary contributions, the County will contribute an 8% employer match. After one year of service, and at age 25, you will automatically become a plan participant.

• You are eligible to receive up to six weeks, or 240 hours, of paid parental leave following the birth of a child/children or starting the placement of a child/children through adoption or foster care. Approved paid parental leave may be taken at any time during the 12-month period immediately following the birth, starting the adoption, or foster care placement of a child/children.