Assistant Public Defender

This is a non-Civil Service announcement. The Office is seeking to hire attorney or graduating law school student interested in working for the Office. We also hire law school graduates seeking admission to the Tennessee bar and qualify for supervised practice certification under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 7. T o fill the position of Assistant Public Defender candidates must be licensed to practice law in Tennessee or licensed to practice law in another state AND capable of becoming licensed in the State of Tennessee within six months. Typical responsibilities include representing clients in General Sessions Court, Criminal Court, and Juvenile Court, and working collaboratively with other defense team members, including investigators, social workers, and legal assistants. The Metropolitan Public Defender’s Office represents adults accused of crimes in Davidson County who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, and children in Davidson County charged with being delinquent and unable to hire a lawyer. Cases range from the simplest misdemeanor to complex capital murder cases. Our mission is to defend the liberty, honor and constitutional rights of the individuals, of all ages, whose cases have been entrusted to us. Through zealous advocacy, we strive not only to deliver excellence in our representation of each and every client, but also to stand with our clients and the community in working to create a more just, fair and compassionate legal system. The guiding principle of the Office is that each client is entitled to quality representation that recognizes the client's dignity and achieves the best possible outcome for the case. Our attorneys, investigators, social workers and support staff take great pride in providing a high level of service. MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Represents, as counsel, indigent defendants charged with felonies and/or misdemeanors. Consults with District Attorney. Consults with and advises other attorneys in the office on cases. Analyzes legal and/or factual aspects of clients' cases. Refers clients for proper medical and psychiatric assistance. Refers clients to other resources or agencies for assistance. Performs necessary investigations, including interviewing clients, gathering evidence, legal research, investigating locations critical to cases, and obtaining social, medical, criminal, psychiatric, and educational histories of clients. SUPERVISION EXERCISED/SUPERVISION RECEIVED May lead or supervise Criminal Investigators and a clerical support staff. Receives general supervision and reports to Public Defender or designee, who is consulted on complex or unusual matters. WORKING CONDITIONS Work involves moderate risks or discomforts associated with a courthouse or jail environment, which require special safety precautions, e.g., working in crowded conditions, and working around persons imprisoned for a wide variety of illegal acts. Employees may be required to use protective clothing or gear. Requires substantial physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, stretching, or similar activities. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Doctor of Jurisprudence. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Knowledge of the principles of criminal law and proceedings, including docketing, bonding, and sheriff's procedures. Knowledge of the administrative functioning of the criminal justice system. <span style="color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: