Chief Attorney, Juvenile Division: District I (Baltimore City)

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD) seeks a demonstrated leader and tenacious litigator to serve as the Chief Attorney of the Juvenile Division for District I (Baltimore City).  We are committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourage people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.

The Baltimore City office is a large urban public defender’s office with 200+ employees providing client-centered representation to individuals charged with misdemeanors and felonies in Baltimore City. At MOPD we use our legal education and experience to fight for justice and fairness, no matter what and we refuse to remain silent in the midst of human suffering. Our unique talents, identities, educational backgrounds, and perspectives guide us in representing our clients. We stand up against prejudice, systemic racism, and inequity in all of the spaces we occupy. MOPD seeks candidates who will join us in providing compassionate, competent, zealous, and client-centered representation to all of our clients. Learn more about our mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervises and manages the supervising attorneys, attorneys, and other professional and core staff in the Juvenile Division.
• Collaborates with all members of the Baltimore City (District I) leadership team to maintain the highest standards of representation by ensuring accountability, fostering mentorship, and developing District-wide strategy.
• Actively consults with attorneys on case preparation and trial strategy.
• Monitors the distribution of juvenile cases and attorney caseloads to ensure optimal client outcomes.
• Cultivates excellence and professional development amongst attorneys, including providing regular in-house training programs, and working with the Training Division and other Statewide Divisions to develop training programs.
• Maintains an active caseload and participates in exemplary juvenile public defense litigation.
• Communicates with other stakeholders, including but not limited to, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, the Baltimore City Police Department, and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.
• Works to identify and advocate for solutions to systemic issues – including but not limited to reducing the use of incarceration, increasing the use of evidence-based community programming, enhancing the input of impacted youth, addressing discriminatory disproportionate contact with the criminal legal system, unconstitutional police practices, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the immigration consequences of a juvenile arrest.
• Develops collaborative strategies with social workers and core staff to assist clients and their families in matters related to housing, education, school discipline, mental health, and other collateral matters.
• Investigates, develops and litigates novel and cutting-edge Constitutional arguments to advance and expand the rights of young people in contact with the juvenile legal system.
• Responds to media requests related to Baltimore City youth justice issues.
• Assists with MOPD’s legislative advocacy efforts related to youth justice issues.
• Accepts other duties as assigned by the State Public Defender.

Training and Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, client advocacy, management abilities, and commitment to tenacious and comprehensive juvenile public defense.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of attorney supervision, training, professional development, and State personnel policies and procedures.
• Knowledge, training, and experience related to adolescent development, neuroscience, education, mental health treatment, and best practices for juvenile rehabilitation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including possessing the cultural competence necessary to collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proven expertise in communicating with children and adolescents is strongly preferred.
• Comfort working within prisons and jails.
• Seven (7) years of criminal litigation experience and strong trial skills (Jury trial experience is preferred, but not required)
• Strong organizational skills.
• Prior experience managing attorneys is support staff.
• Ability to make decisions, interact with request from press and media outlets in a client centered manner.
• Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar of another State. Individuals who are members of the Bar of another State must be admitted to the Maryland Bar within 18 months of the start date.

Education:   A Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.

Experience: Experience as a practicing Attorney.

Notes:

1. Candidates shall be an Attorney and admitted to practice law in the State by the Court of Appeals of Maryland, at the time of appointment.

2. The above requirements are set by the Office of the Public Defender in accordance with Criminal Procedure Article, Section 16-203 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in general attorney classification or general attorney specialty codes in the legal and kindred group field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education. 

Salary is dependent on experience and salary rules will apply to State of Maryland employees.

Assistant Public Defender Headquarter Supervisor: $129,579.00-$154,319.00 (Grade 24, Step 15-Step 24).

Click here to review the benefit information.

If you wish to be considered, please click below to fill out the application and upload the following documents in one PDF attachment on the Resume Tab in the JobAps Application: (1) a current resume, (2) a cover letter, and (3) a list of four professional references.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Assistant Public Defenders are full-time employees who serve at the pleasure of the Public Defender. Criminal Procedure Art., Section 16-203(d). Assistant Public Defenders cannot engage in the private practice of law while in this position.

As a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity, employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

All applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors and possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be able to work in various positions and travel to various courtrooms and office environments throughout the state. MOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities by modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position  they desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship.

Applicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, at 410-767-8503 or tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.