Assistant State Public Defender - Attorney

Are you seeking a rewarding and challenging career? Bring your litigation skills to the Office of the State Public Defender (SPD) and make a different in the lives of Wisconsin residents! The SPD is seeking dedicated litigators for our full-time Assistant State Public Defender (ASPD) positions to fill statewide vacancies in our Trial Offices. This is your opportunity to work with a dedicated group that are compassionate advocates for their clients. The SPD is proud that its system of indigent defense is considered a model for public defender programs around the world.

SPD's mission is to enhance the quality of justice throughout Wisconsin by providing high-quality, cost-effective representation to indigent clients, protecting the rights of accused individuals, and by serving as advocates for effective defense services and a rational criminal justice system. At SPD, we are committed to diversity in hiring, retention, and career development. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. To learn more, visit our website at http://wispd.gov. 

What We Offer: This is an excellent opportunity to develop a meaningful and rewarding career with the SPD. Our employees have access to an excellent comprehensive benefit and compensation package, including access to the region's best health plans, and generous paid time off starting with 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays, and ample sick leave so that you can truly have work/life balance! SPD employees also enjoy participation is one of the nation's top-rated pension plans. Additionally, if you have student loans, you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. To learn more about the value of SPD's total compensation package, please visit our Total Rewards Calculator. 

Why Work With Us? At SPD, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive, human-centered and family-friendly culture, where everyone is encouraged to bring their "whole self" to work. Professional development is encouraged and supported, and we offer a wide variety of training opportunities to help you grow in your career. Our leadership's goal is to provide a work environment dedicated to ensuring that each and every staff member is treated with respect and dignity, recognizing each individual's contributions to the team. 

Who We Are: SPD provides legal representation for persons who are accused of crimes or are defendants in certain specified civil matters, and who meet statutory financial eligibility criteria. The mission of the SPD is to zealously represent clients, protect constitutional rights, and advocate for an effective and fair criminal justice system. Our commitment is to treat our clients with dignity and compassion, as they are at the center of everything we do. 

Where We're Located: The SPD has 37 offices statewide. For more information on office locations, please visit our website.

Position Summary

The SPD Trial Division provides legal representation at the circuit court (trial court) level.  The types of cases include but are not limited to criminal, civil commitment, protective placement (personal guardianship), revocation of conditional liberty (probation, parole, or extended supervision), sexually violent offender commitment, termination of parental rights, and others as specified by state law for juveniles and adults.

For more detailed information, please click here for the trial attorney position description.

Salary Information

The starting salary will be between $36.72 to $60.00 per hour ($76,377.60 to $124,800 annually) depending on qualifications, plus great benefits. Positions are unclassified and in pay schedule/range 21-75. 

Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan.

Final selected candidates may be eligible for moving expense reimbursement to relocate to the place of employment.

Job Details

Background Check: We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. A criminal background check will be done prior to an offer of employment.

Eligibility to work in the US: The SPD does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9.

State Bar Admission: Successful candidates must be admitted to practice law by the Wisconsin Supreme Court prior to their start date. Soon to be graduates are encouraged to apply, and an appointment date would be set after being admitted to the Wisconsin Bar. See the Wisconsin State Bar for admission requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants from all backgrounds. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Veterans: The State of Wisconsin salutes veterans and is grateful for their service to our country. We are committed to helping veterans find employment, and offer a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability through the Veteran's Non-Competitive Appointment process.

Qualifications

LETTER OF QUALIFICATIONS & RESUME:  You must submit both documents in order to be considered.  It is important that you clearly explain and elaborate on your experience and/or training in your letter of qualifications and/or resume.

An ASPD must possess a strong sense of commitment and dedication to indigent defense. Fluency in a foreign language is a plus.

A minimally qualified candidate will have graduated from or will soon graduate from an accredited law school, or is working to be admitted to the Wisconsin Bar within the next year. In addition, the individual must be licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin prior to their start date.

Minimally qualified applicants will have education and/or training in the following:

• Providing legal representation (e.g., conducting litigation or hearings, negotiating, etc.)
• Preparing and working with legal documents (e.g., preparing and reading legal pleadings, motions, briefs, etc.)
• Time management skills and the ability to meet hard deadlines for caseload
• Ability to interact professionally with diverse groups (e.g., office staff, clients, opposing counsel, courts, etc.)

In addition, well-qualified applicants will have experience in the following:

• Experience representing criminal cases (e.g., conducting litigation or hearings, negotiating, etc.)
• Preparing and working with legal documents (e.g., preparing and reading legal pleadings, motions, briefs, etc.)
• Experience reviewing discovery

How To Apply

To apply, click "Apply for Job" to start the application process. That will prompt you to access your existing account or create a new account. You will be asked to attach a resume and a cover letter as part of the application process. It is important that these materials clearly illustrate how your qualifications relate to the qualifications of this job.

If you encounter issues submitting your online application (e.g. signing in or uploading a resume), please contact the Wisc.Jobs Help Desk at (608) 267-1012 or wiscjobs@wisconsin.gov (Monday - Friday, 7:45am - 4:30pm).

Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job.  If both of these documents are not submitted, you will not be eligible for consideration.  Application materials will not be accepted if received in an email, as a hard copy or a fax. 

Materials submitted by all applicants will be evaluated by one or more job experts.  Candidates that are deemed eligible will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Deadline to Apply

This posting will remain active until positions are filled. If you have any questions on this recruitment or how to apply; please contact Maggie Wild at wildm@opd.wi.gov.