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Public Defender Corporation Job Openings

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This page collects current vacanci​es in the various Public Defender Corporations across the state. All materials must be submitted to the indicated contact point.​​

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1st Judicial Circuit (Brookie, Hancock, and Ohio​ counties)

  • ​Position: Assistant Public Defender (Weirton Office)

    • Description: The Public Defender Corporation for the First Judicial Circuit of West Virginia has an immediate opening for the position of Assistant Public Defender in the Corporation’s Weirton office. Assistant Public Defenders represent indigent clients at the trial court and appellate stages in the following proceedings: criminal, extradition, probation and parole, contempt, juvenile, and abuse and neglect. Salary depends upon experience and available funding. Benefits may include pension as well as medical and life insurance.​

    • How to apply:  Forward applications to Shayne M. Welling, Public Defender; First Judicial Circuit Public Defender Corporation: P.O. Box 347; Wheeling, WV 26003; Phone: (304) 232-5062; Fax: (304) 233-7342: Electronic submissions are encouraged. E-mail: Shayne@wheelingpdc.org​. This office is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


6th and 24th Circuit (Cabell and Wayne counties)

  • Position: Assistant Public Defender (Huntington and Wayne offices)

    • Description: Qualified applicants will be responsible for representing indigent persons in misdemeanor and felony cases. Must be a licensed member of any State Bar that is eligible to practice under Rule 9 of the West Virginia Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law, or eligible to be licensed. Work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Benefits include life and health insurance, participation in the WV Public Employee Retirement System, participation in the Mountaineer Flexible Benefits program (dental, vision, disability, etc.), paid leave, and paid federal/state holidays.

    • How to apply: Applicants may send resume and professional references to Office Manager Susan Lipscomb: susan_lipscomb@ccpdo.org


11th Judicial Circuit (Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties)
  • Position: Chief Public Defender
    • Description: The Public Defender Corportation of the 11th Judicial Circuit serving Greenbrier and Pochahontas counties is seeking a Chief Public Defender. The successful candidate for the position will have significant experience in the practice of criminal law, child abuse and neglect, and juvenile law. He or she will have experience as a manager of an organization or department with financial, budgetary and administrative responsibility. Willingness and ability to cover emergency hearings as they arise is required. Knowledge of the Greenbrier and Pocahontas Judicial Circuit practice is a plus. The applicant must be available to start work by June 1, 2025.
    • How to Apply: Applications and resumes for the position may be submitted on indeed.com or emailed to mackenzie@defendwv.org and must be received no later than May 1, 2025.

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12th Judicial Circuit (Fayette County)

  • Position: Legal Assistant/Secretary

    • Description: The Public Defender Corporation for the 12th Judicial Circuit (Fayette County) has an immediate opening for a full-time legal assistant/secretary. The responsibilities include answering and redirecting phone calls, providing legal administrative support to 4 attorneys, and maintaining case files, along with other various secretarial duties. The salary is competitive, and commensurate with experience. Benefits include healthcare coverage provided through PEIA and membership in the State of West Virginia’s Public Employees Retirement System.

    • How to Apply: To apply, please mail a cover letter and resume to Nancy Fraley, Chief Public Defender, 102 Fayette Avenue, Fayetteville, WV 25840, or email to DMasters@fayettedefender.org.


13th Judicial Circuit (Kanawha County)​

  • Positions: Assis​tant Public Defender (multiple positions)

    • Description: The Kanawha County Public Defender Office is seeking qualified applicants for the position of full-time assistant public defender. Experience is preferred but not required. Applicants must be licensed to practice in West Virginia and be in good standing with the State Bar or, if licensed in another jurisdiction, eligible to practice under Rule 9 of the West Virginia Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law​. Benefits include paid leave and holidays, life and health insurance, and participation in the W.V. Public Employee Retirement System.

    • How to apply: Applicants may se​nd cover letter, resume, and professional references to Ti Mack, P.O. Box 2827, Charleston, WV 25330, or email Tiwana.K.Mack@wvdefender.com.​​


15th Judicial Circuit (Harrison County)

  • Position: Assistant Public Defender

    • Description: The Harrison County Public Defender Office is seeking qualified applicants for the position of full-time assistant public defender. Experience is preferred but not required. Applicants must be licensed to practice in West Virginia and be in good standing with the State Bar or, if licensed in another jurisdiction, eligible to practice under Rule 9 of the West Virginia Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law. Benefits include paid leave and holidays, life and health insurance, and participation in the W.V. Public Employee Retirement System.

    • How To Apply: Applicants may send cover letter, resume and professional references to Jordan Dishong, 229 West Main St, Suite 200, Clarksburg, WV 26301 or email jdishong@harrisondefenders.org.


17th Judicial Circuit (Monongalia County)


  • Position: Legal Administrative Assistant

    • Description: The Seventeeth Judicial Circuit Public Defender Corporation (Mon Defender) - an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office seeks passionate individuals to join our support staff. We are a public defender non-profit that is radically transforming how low-income people in West Virginia are represented in the legal system, and in doing so, is transforming the system itself. We seek thoughtful, creative, energetic individuals with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff.

    • Qualifications: GED/HS Diploma

    • Preferred: Experience in a law firm/legal setting; Adminstrative Assistant experience; Experience with document management systems; MS Office experience; Passion for holistic public defense and racial justice; Knowledge of the criminal justice system

    • Hours: Normal work hours Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 37.50 hours per week, includes a one-hour unpaid lunch (hours can be flexed according to workload). Other hours as necessary to meet the need of our clients.

    • Benefits: Health, dental, vision and life insurance, PTO (including Holidays, annual and sick leave), PERS (Public Employee Retirement System).

    • Pay: Salary range of $37,000-39,000 commensurate with experience

    • Responsibilities:

      • Collaborate with the people we represent, lawyers and other advocates on holistic defense teams to identify and acheive stated legal goals of our clients

      • Set up, organize, and maintain paper and electronic filing systems in accordance with recognized procedures and standards

      • Answer telephone calls and greet guests

      • Record and monitor deadlines

      • Plan and schedule appointments, hearings, conferences, and meetings

      • Provide administrative support including copying, scanning, and faxing

      • Help maintain records within our electronic record-keeping system

      • Prepare, send, and receive correspondence and other mailings

    • How to Apply: Please send your resume to Eva Hajian, Office Manager, Seventh Judicial Circuit Public Defender Corporation, 265 Spruce Street, Suite 300 Morgantown, WV 26505 or by email at ehajian@mondefender.org or facsimile to: 304-974-0410


23rd Judicial Circuit (Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan Counties)

  • Position: Assistant Public Defender

    • Description: The Eastern Panhandle Public Defender Office, with offices located in Martinsburg and Charles Town, is seeking qualified applicants for the position of full-time Assistant Public Defender/Staff Attorney. Experience is preferred but not required. Applicants must be licensed to practice law in West Virginia and be in good standing with the State Bar. Salary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include paid leave and holidays, life and health insurance, and participation in the WV Public Employee Retirement System.

    • How to apply:​ Resume, cover letter, and WV State Bar Number can be sent to: Chief Public Defender, 301A West Burke Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401 or emailed to tedelaney53@hotmail.com