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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.


2nd Judicial Circuit (Marshall, Wetzel, and Tyler counties)

  • Position: Assistant Public Defender (Moundsville Office)
    • Description: The Public Defender Corporation of the Second Judicial Circuit is seeking a full-time Assistant Public Defender. This attorney will be assigned a caseload that may include a mixture of misdemeanor, felony, juvenile, and abuse/neglect cases.
    • Requirements: 
      • Active West Virginia Law License and reliable transportation.
      • Ability to conduct legal research and analysis pertaining to caseload.
      • Represent clients through the entire case process.
      • Drafting of legal documents and effective communications with clients.
      • Work effectively with colleagues and staff on complex cases.
    • Skills:
      • Strong work ethic, desire to learn, and ability to work independently.
      • Legal administrative skills that include file organization and time management.
      • Ability to effectively communicate negotiations and in Court.
      • Desire to protect the rights of indigent clients.
      • Compassion for those we represent on their worst day.
    • Commute time to the Moundsville office is roughly 20 minutes from Wheeling; 90 minutes from Morgantown; and 50 minutes from Washington, PA.
    • Compensation includes salary commensurate with experience and education, health and life insurance benefits, retirement, paid holidays, paid vacation, and paid sick leave.
    • How to Apply: Send your resume, with cover letter and references, to Chief Public Defender Jeremiah Gardner via email at JL.Gardner.pdc2@gmail.com; via fax at 304-843-4067; via post mail to Public Defender Corporation 2nd Judicial Circuit, 509 7th Street, Moundsville, WV 26041.


6th and 10th 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

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8th 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 (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.

19th 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.

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21st 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


27th Judicial Circuit (Berkeley and Morgan counties)

  • Position: Assistant Public Defender

    • Description: The 27th Circuit Public Defender Office, located in Martinsburg, 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


29th Judicial Circuit (Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties)
  • Position: Assistant Public Defender (Marlinton Office)
    • Description: The Public Defender Corporation Greenbrier & Pocahontas, which encompasses the 29th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia, will have an opening effective September 3, 2025, for the position of Assistant Public Defender in the Corporation's Marlinton office. Qualified applicants will be responsible for representing indigent persons in misdemeanor and felony cases.
    • Requirements:
      • An active West Virginia Law License, or ability to be licensed in West Virginia within six months.
      • Proficiency in confucting legal research and analysis pertaining to caseload.
      • Confidence in representing clients through the entire criminal case process.
      • Proficiency in drafting legal documents and effective communications with clients.
      • Ability to work effectively with colleagues and staff on complex cases.
    • Skills:
      • Strong work ethic, desire to learn, and ability to work independently.
      • Legal administrative skills that include file organization and time management.
      • Ability to effectively communicate negotiations in Court.
      • Desire to protect the rights of indigent clients.
      • Compassion for those we represent on their worst day.
    • Salary: $70,000. Benefits include life insurance, health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and paid federal/state holidays.
    • How to apply: Applicants may send resume and professional references to managing Public Defender Martha Fleshman at: martha@defendwv.com
    • Applications will be accepted until the position is filled or interviews are completed.
  • Position: Assistant Public Defender (Lewisburg Office)
    • Description: The Public Defender Corporation Greenbrier & Pocahontas, which encompasses the 29th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia, has an immediate opening for the position of Assistant Public Defender in the Corporations' Lewisburg office. Qualified applicants will be responsible for representing indigent persons in misdemeanor and felony cases.
    • Requirements:
      • An active West Virginia Law License, or ability to be licensed in West Virginia within six months.
      • Proficiency in conducting legal research and analysis pertaining to caseload.
      • Confidence in representing clients through the entire ciminal case process.
      • Proficiency in drafting legal documents and effective communications with clients.
      • Ability to work effectively with colleagues and staff on complex caess.
    • Skills:
      • Strong work ethic, desire to learn, and ability to work independently.
      • Legal administrative skills that include file oragnizationand time management.
      • Ability to effectively commuinicate negotiations and in Court.
      • Desire to protect the rights of indifent clients.
      • Compassion for those we represent on their worst day.
    • Salary: $68,200. Benefits include life insurance, health insurances, retirements plan, paid time off, and paid federal/state holidays.
    • How to apply. Applicants may send resume and professional references to the managing Public Defender, Martha Fleshman at: martha@defendwv.com
    • Applicants will be accepted until the position is filled or interviews are scheduled.