ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER HEADQUARTERS LEAD

OPD operates the Innocence Project Clinic in collaboration with the University of Baltimore School of Law (UB). The Innocence Project Clinic (IPC) works to exonerate the innocent, provide resources and holistic support to the exonerated, and prevent future wrongful convictions through education and policy reform. The Innocence Project Clinic screens over 200 cases annually to assess whether an innocence claim may have a viable wrongful conviction claim. 

The University of Baltimore School of Law (UB), with its nationally-ranked clinical law program, educates students to become exceptional and principled lawyers; to contribute to local, national and international discourse about the law and legal institutions; and to promote efforts to achieve justice in local, national, and international communities. As an urban law school, we value diversity, academic excellence, and public service, and seek to improve the legal system and the quality of people’s lives.

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender is a statewide agency that provides superior representation to indigent clients at all stages of the criminal case including trial, appeal, and eligible post-conviction proceedings. Representation is provided through offices and services at 52 locations statewide with a workforce of approximately 1000 employees. At MOPD, we use our legal education and expertise to fight for justice and fairness, as tenacious advocates we refuse to remain silent amid human suffering. Our unique talents, identities, educational backgrounds, and perspectives guide us in providing superior representation to our clients. We stand firm against prejudice, systemic racism, and inequity in all communities and spaces.

MOPD’s mission focuses on justice, fairness, and dignity for all. Employees are committed to the core values of a culture of excellence, client-centered representation, tenacious advocacy, and function as a team united in achieving MOPD’s mission.  Learn more about the mission, public defense, and our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Overview of the Position

The IPC Director is a unique and collaborative position within OPD and the legal academy. Within UB, the IPC Director will have the rank of Professor of the Practice, a non-tenured faculty position, and will run the Innocence Project Clinic teaching and supervising student attorneys who handle cases and advocate for criminal justice reform within UB’s clinical law program. With respect to OPD, the IPC Director will report directly to the Public Defender and will provide Agency-wide support and strategic vision to innocence litigation. The IPC Director will work with OPD’s attorneys and staff both on individual cases as well as on broad reform goals. In collaboration with the Forensics Division, the IPC Director will serve as a resource and provide trainings to OPD attorneys and staff on relevant social science research (including coercive interrogation tactics, unreliable eyewitness identification practices), incorporating scientific research (including DNA testing) into legal arguments, and strategic ways to address newly discovered evidence. This position will be located in Baltimore, Maryland but may require local travel. 

​

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

·       Oversees screening and intake of cases with claims of actual innocence that are referred to the IPC by OPD, the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP), private counsel or other organizations as well as pro se petitions. 

·       Identify from intake those cases that present valid factual innocence claims and review court files, trial, appellate and post-conviction proceedings, file and litigate Maryland Public Information Act Requests for law enforcement records and conduct any additional factual investigation that may be required to fully develop the claim.  In appropriate cases, file pleadings and litigate cases. 

·       Create and teach the Innocence Project Clinic, which entails teaching a weekly seminar, supervision meetings for each pairing of student attorneys, structuring student attorney self-reflection and evaluation, and providing supervision, feedback and evaluation to the student attorneys. 

·       Supervise retained investigators and students who are conducting witness interviews and document collection. 

·       Participate in law school activities including weekly clinical meetings, faculty meetings, faculty workshops, and other school events.  

·       Retain forensic experts when necessary to develop and litigate claims. 

·       Collaborate and consult with OPD’s Post Conviction Defenders Division to identify possible innocence cases, develop comprehensive litigation strategies on pending post conviction matters, and provide professional development opportunities to OPD staff. 

·       Engage in legislative advocacy, consult with the Maryland Rules committee, file amicus briefs in connection with innocence issues. 

·       Write grant proposals for federal and private foundation grants and manage existing federal and private foundation grants. 

·       In collaboration with OPD and UB, manage press relationships in connection with exonerations, relevant legislative initiatives and related policy issues. 

·       Keep abreast of legal and scientific developments that impact innocence cases and collaborate with OPD’s Forensics Division to identify emerging trends to strategically litigate new evidence of innocence. 

·       Maintain case information and updates in both UB’s and OPD’s case management system.

·       Maintain and office and regular presence at OPD including regular office hours to foster a collaborative environment and serve as an available resource and partner to OPD attorneys and staff.   

·       Report directly and regularly to the Public Defender and maintain consistent communication with OPD regarding pending cases, litigation strategies and the development of in-house training programs. 

·       Serve as a resource to OPD attorneys and staff on emerging scientific discoveries and social science research with implications on innocence litigation. 

·       And other duties as assigned by the Public Defender.

core competencies & requirements

·       Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar

·       Five years of experience as a criminal defense attorney with expertise in DNA and other forms of scientific evidence as well as post-conviction innocence claims. 

·       Excellent oral and written communication skills. 

·       Experience or potential to be an excellent clinical law teacher; enthusiasm to work with law students; and an excellent academic record. 

·       Demonstrated training and development skills.

·       The ability to build trusting, productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. 

·       J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school.

·       Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar of another state. 

If the selected candidate is a member of the Bar of another State, the candidate must commit to becoming admitted to the Maryland Bar within 18 months of their start date. 

Salary and Benefits:

Salary is dependent on experience and the State of Maryland salary rules will apply to any offer made. This is a promotion opportunity for current MOPD attorneys at Grade 22 or below. This would be a lateral transfer for MOPD attorneys currently at Grade 23.

Assistant Public Defender Headquarters Lead: Starting at $120,399.00 year (Grade 23: Step 13)

Benefits

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender offers a generous benefits package that includes excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance. Benefits also include retirement savings, life insurance, and the option to participate in supplemental retirement options. MOPD Employees receive 6 days of personal leave, 15 days of sick leave, and at least 10 days of annual leave each calendar year in addition to paid holidays, and parental leave.

For more details and a full list of benefits as an employee with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender click here.

How to Apply

If you wish to be considered, please click here to fill out the application and submit the following items in one PDF attachment through the Maryland State Government Job Openings Page: (1) a current resume, (2) a cover letter addressing the above qualifications, (3) a list of four professional references, and (4) writing sample. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Assistant Public Defenders are full-time employees and cannot engage in the private practice of law while in this position. MD Code, Criminal Procedure Art., Section 16-203(d)(2).

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.