Public Defender Corporation Job Openings

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 24th Circuit (Cabell and Wayne counties)

• 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.

• 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