Senior Assistant Appellate Defender

Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (SBIDS)

Our mission is to fulfill the constitutional promise of a zealous defense by providing our clients with team-based advocacy that champions their human dignity and achieves just outcomes on their behalf.

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Senior Assistant Appellate Defender (Public Defender II) in the Appellate Defender Office in Topeka, Kansas.

SBIDS Current Job Openings

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00

Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Position Summary:

The position of Senior Assistant Appellate Defender is for attorneys who have a well-developed appellate litigation practice or previous defense experience at the trial or postconviction stages, and who are capable of working on all lower severity level and some higher severity level felony appeals assigned to them with minimal supervision.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders represent adults who have been convicted of felonies and provide those individuals with direct representation in their appeals. Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders possess an advanced legal writing and research skill set and have developed a comprehensive motions and briefing practice. Attorneys at this level are capable of litigating complex statutory, procedural, and constitutional issues with some assistance from other experienced attorneys within their office. Attorneys are also expected to engage in positive communications with clients, maintain substantial understanding of the relevant law governing cases, and provide robust advocacy.

Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders consistently advance the ideals of a client-centered, holistic public defender system both internally within the agency and in their interactions with outside legal system stakeholders. The attorney must demonstrate compassion for our clients and a desire to zealously advocate on behalf of the poor. The attorney in this position must be willing and able to treat our clients with dignity.

Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders maintain the highest standards of professionalism, and demonstrate an ability to respectfully and successfully work with colleagues, clients, opposing counsel, and the courts. These attorneys must continue to actively advance their level of practice by seeking additional learning opportunities.

Qualifications:

Education

• Must be a graduate from an ABA accredited law school
• Licensed attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas at the time of employment or be willing and able to seek admission to the Kansas bar immediately upon hire.

Licensing & Certification

• Maintain licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have exceptional communication skills, including strong legal writing and oral advocacy skills.
• A clearly demonstrated aptitude for excellence in criminal defense practice and an on-going commitment to a client-centered practice.
• Ability to use all necessary electronic devices including computers, e-filing systems, as well as case management systems.
• Ability to coordinate with supporting personnel to provide client-centered, holistic representation.
• Must have appropriate time management skills and organizational skills and demonstrate proficiency of avoiding unnecessary delays in client’s cases through appropriate preparation and planning.
• Must be able to process, organize and manage complex litigation.
• Must be able to handle emergency or crisis situations.
• Must be able to handle frequent interruptions and multiple calls and inquiries.
• Must be able to effectively interact with clients, co-workers and other colleagues in a respectful and appropriate manner.
• Must be academically curious about criminal law and procedure.
• Must be able to treat every client, witness and colleague with dignity and respect without exception.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
• Must have a keenly developed and uncompromising set of personal and professional ethics.
• Occasional travel to other work locations including courts and prisons.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in appellate or postconviction criminal defense, capital defense, or other comparable legal practice.

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Shawn Keeling
• Email: bidsrecruiter@sbids.org
• Phone: 785-296-6631
• Mailing Address: 700 SW Jackson Street, Suite 500 Topeka, KS 66603

Job Application Process

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing sample
• List of three professional references
• If you are claiming Veteran’s Preference, please also include your DD214

Ensure you upload all required documents during the application process.

If you have any further questions please contact:

Shawn Keeling

Human Resources Professional, Administration Office

State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, open until filled.

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Search for a Job – Instructions”

Please be aware that if an offer of employment is made, actual employment is subject to pre-employment conditions, which include:

• Confirmation of licensure as an active attorney in good standing the State of Kansas, or successful admission to the Kansas Bar, prior to start date.
• Governor’s salary approval.

Required documents for this application to be complete:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate required in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. Each applicant (even non-residents) who is selected for a State of Kansas job vacancy must apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) website at www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/Default.aspx .

A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's tax account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws.

If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact KDOR at (785) 296-3199 or by email at kdor_specialprojects@ks.gov

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the recruiter.