Circuit Public Defender

Circuit Public Defender (State-Level)

Employer: Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC)
Location: Augusta Judicial Circuit (Burke & Richmond Counties, GA)
Salary: $138,473 annually (state salary; potential county-paid supplement not included)
Application Deadline: 5:00 PM ET on November 5, 2025

About the Role

The Georgia Public Defender Council is accepting résumés for Circuit Public Defender for the Augusta Judicial Circuit. The office represents indigent persons charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes and acts of juvenile delinquency across Burke and Richmond counties. This is a state-level leadership position that reports to the Executive Director of GPDC and serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Circuit Public Defender Office as the circuit office head.
• Oversee administration, budgeting, staffing, and operations of indigent defense across the circuit.
• Supervise and mentor Assistant Public Defenders, investigators, paraprofessionals, clerical staff, and independent contractors.
• Manage case assignments and ensure ethical, zealous, individualized representation for all clients.
• Establish and maintain early conflict-of-interest identification processes.
• Ensure compliance with GPDC policies and performance standards.

Performance Standards

• Appropriate and transparent use of state and local funds.
• Proper management of state and local budgets and expenditures.
• Accurate reporting of caseloads by type, including conflict cases.
• Consistent delivery of ethical, zealous, individualized client representation.

Minimum Qualifications (O.C.G.A. § 17-12-21)

Candidates must:

• Be at least 25 years of age.
• Have been duly admitted and licensed to practice law in the Superior Courts for at least three (3) years.
• Be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia.
• If previously disbarred, have been reinstated as provided by law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrable commitment to effective defense of indigent people accused of crimes.
• Substantial criminal defense (or equivalent trial) experience sufficient to evaluate and train Assistant Public Defenders.
• Experience as lead counsel in at least ten (10) felony jury trials to completion, at least two (2) of which involved potential life sentences.
• Proven leadership and office management skills to ensure GPDC policies are consistently met or exceeded.
• Ability to establish sound fiscal policy and supervise attorneys and staff.
• Strong communication skills with courts, justice-system partners, and local government representatives.

How to Apply

Email the following materials in a single PDF, if possible:

• State of Georgia Sensitive Position Employment Application
• Résumé
• Cover Letter

Send to: GPDC c/o Thomas O’Connor — toconnor@gapubdef.org
Email subject line: “Augusta Circuit Public Defender Position”

Work Location & Contact

Augusta Judicial Circuit (Burke & Richmond Counties)
Georgia Public Defender Council — 270 Washington Street, Suite 6079, Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-795-2440 • Website: www.gapubdef.org

GPDC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $138,473.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person