First Assistant/Assistant Chief Public Defender

Application Requirements

Under the direction of the District Chief Public Defender, the First Assistant Attorney is responsible for the administration of public defender services in the division assigned or as first assistant to the Chief District Public Defender, consistent with standards adopted by the State Board of Public Defense, policies and procedures adopted by the State Public Defender, and the direction of the Chief District Public Defender.

Definition/Summary of Duties

Under general direction of the Chief District Public Defender, the First Assistant Attorney is responsible for:

• Planning, coordination, direction and evaluation of the work of attorneys and support staff in the District or in a division of the Public Defender's Office;
• Provides guidance and assistance to subordinates on administrative and legal problems;
• Participates in decisions regarding the hiring, disciplining or termination of employees under her /his supervision;
• Receives and responds to complaints from clients and makes decisions on resolution of complaints;
• Assigns cases to ensure an even distribution of the workload;
• Works to resolve court scheduling issues and conflict assignments; trains, mentors and evaluates assigned employees; maintains liaisons with court administration, judges other court personnel and justice partners;
• Undertakes related additional duties and assignments as required by the Chief District Public Defender;
• The First Assistant Attorney also consults and advises the Chief Public Defender on administrative and legal matters relating to the policies and practices of the office or division.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive knowledge of legal principles and practice, including criminal, juvenile and constitutional law and procedure; trial or appellate procedures and rules; legal research;
• Considerable knowledge of: legal and policy issues affecting public defenders and their clients; of management and operations of public defense programs
• Effective planning and presentation of court cases.

• Lead a management team; supervise attorneys and support staff;
• Establish effective working relationships with court personnel and justice partners; work well with people from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds; prepare, present and conduct trial or appeals effectively;
• Analyze and apply legal principles; plan, direct and evaluate the work of other attorneys and staff; analyze data;
• Lead others by teaching, motivating, and promoting public defense values;
• Set reasonable and attainable goals that inspire extraordinary effort in self and others.

Education and Experience

Admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota; and seven years of experience as a practicing attorney, four of which must have been in the specialized field of public law.

The State of Minnesota offers benefits through the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP). Benefits-eligible employees are entitled to the following insurance and pre-tax benefits:

Full time employee and part time employee benefits:

Medical insurance

Single coverage as low as $38.50 a month

Family coverage $262.66 a month

Dental insurance

Single coverage as low as $13.50 a month

Family coverage $55.40 a month

Basic Life insurance

6 week paid Parental Leave (eligible after 1 year of employment)

Retirement Savings

11 paid holidays

2 Floating holiday

Vacation and sick time along with leave of absence programs

Employee Assistance Program

Optional benefits:

Additional Life insurance for yourself, spouse and children

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

Short and long-term disability insurance

Metro Pass

Deferred Compensation plan

Pre-tax expense accounts: dependent care account, medical and dental, transit expense