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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 (H​ancock , Brooke, 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 County)
  • Position: Assistant Public Defender (Huntington and Wayne Office)
    • 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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11th Judicial Circuit (Greenbrier and Pocahontas County)
  • Position: Assistant Public Defender (Pocahontas Office, Marlinton)
    • Hybrid Work Schedule
    • Salary: $65,300 Yearly
    • Description: Grow your career, the 11th Judicial Circuit is hiring a Public Defender to serve in the Marlinton, West Virginia Office. The position involves general criminal defense and other types of cases eligible for Public Defense in West Virginia. The Marlinton office is linked to and supported by the Lewisburg office meaning opportunities to grow and receive mentorship while still being the primary defense attorney in a county. The position as serves on the Pocahontas County Drug Court Treatment Team and possibly the Pocahontas County Community Corrections Board. Past assistant public defenders have taken the skills they perfected in Pocahontas County onto careers as Assistant United States Attorneys and Federal Public Defenders. The Corporation believes strongly in promoting from within with both the current chief Public Defender and Deputy Chief Public Defender having started as Assistant Public Defenders. Further, as of January 2025 both elected prosecutors in the judicial circuit will be former Assistant Public Defenders in the judicial circuit. Pocahontas County is in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest meaning an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities minutes from the office. It is also home to the Snowshoe Resort which offers world class mountain biking and skiing, as well as home to the headwaters of eight rivers and is known for its fishing, particularly trout. In addition to the National Forest, Pocahontas County has two state parks (Watoga and Droop Mountain) and Seneca State Forest. The County has a regional hospital with a 24-hour emergency room and ambulance service.
      The Assistant Public Defender position pays $65,300 and offers State health insurance and retirement. We are off on all state holidays and have a generous vacation package as we as paid sick leave.
    • How to Apply: Please send a resume and references to Joshua Edwards at jedwards@wvpd11.us or apply on indeed.com.

12th Judicial Circuit (Fayette County)
  • Position: Assistant Public Defender
    • Description: The Public Defender Corporation for the 12th Judicial Circuit (Fayette County) has an immediate opening for the position of Title 4E Abuse and Neglect Attorney. The Title 4E Attorney will be classified as an Assistant Public Defender and responsibilities for this position would be primarily to represent individuals in abuse and neglect proceedings in Circuit Court. 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 Fayettepd12@gmail.com.

  • 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 Fayettepd12@gmail.com.

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 Zoe Shavers, P.O. Box 2827, Charleston, WV 25330, or email Zoe.A.Shavers@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 Rich McGervey, 229 West Main St, Suite 200, Clarksburg, WV 26301 or email rmcgervey@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

28th Judicial Circuit (Nicholas County)
  • Position: Title 4E Abuse and Neglect Attorney (Summersville, WV)
    • How to Apply: Mail your resume to the PDC Office at 723 Main Street Summersville, WV 26651

  • Position: Assistant Public Defender
    • Description: The 28th Judicial Circuit is looking for a competent public defender to handle all duties involved in managing indigent defendants' court cases.
    • Responsibilities:
      • Providing legal representation, consultation, and advice to clients.
      • Representing clients during criminal investigative proceedings.
      • Preparing a defense, conducting legal research, gathering facts, and interviewing the client and witnesses.
      • Working closely with clients, providing and discussing information, strategies, and developments in each case.
      • Arranging for bail to be set and bonds to be posted.
      • Writing motions, pleadings, and legal arguments.
      • Preparing legal documentation and representing clients in court.
      • Handling pretrial discovery, withdraw pleas, suppression motions, and appeals.
      • Attending sentencing and negotiating plea bargains.
    • Requirements:
      • Juris doctorate degree required.
      • Licensed to practice law in West Virginia
      • Previous trial and criminal law experience preferred.
      • Knowledge of criminal law, the judicial system, court practices, and procedures.
      • Excellent organizational, oral presentation, and communication skills.
      • Able to work under pressure with strong attention to detail.
      • Strong research, analysis, and decision-making skills.
      • Good interpersonal and diplomacy skills.
      • Strong computer skills.
    • How to Apply: Please send your resume to the Public Defender 28th Judicial Circuit at 723 Main St. Summersville, WV 26651.