Closing Date: 30th January, 2026
Description:
Deadline to Apply: January 30, 2026Work Location:
Hamilton County Public Defender's Office
230 East 9th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Work Hours:
1st Shift
Starting Salary – Pay Grade 24
$ 42.20 to $59.08 hourly
230 East 9th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Work Hours:
1st Shift
Starting Salary – Pay Grade 24
$ 42.20 to $59.08 hourly
Salary to be commensurate with background and experience. Please submit a writing sample, preferably an appellate brief, with your application materials.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience:
Job Summary:
Under general supervision and direction from the Appellate Division Director, conduct legal research; provide legal advice to staff attorneys and consult with other attorneys in the division regarding their cases; draft briefs and other appellate documents; and represent clients in the First District Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Ohio, and the Supreme Court of the United States, when necessary. Provide zealous, client-centered representation.
Illustrative Duties:
Conduct legal research and draft memorandums for staff attorneys' requests for research; draft notices of appeal, docketing statements, appellate-level motions, and other miscellaneous documents for the court of appeals; draft merit briefs, amicus briefs, memoranda in support of jurisdiction and merit briefs in the Ohio Supreme Court, and Petitions for Cert. in the United States Supreme Court when required; prepare for and present oral arguments in the First District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court; research and draft extraordinary writs when required; consult with and advise staff attorneys; participate in training and seminars; attend meetings, round tables, case consultations, practice moots; attend seminars and may present at same; maintain an ongoing, updated knowledge of criminal law, legislative activities, and current policing, including significant court decisions. Inform staff of such decisions.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The following are necessary to perform the duties of this classification.
Knowledge of:
Criminal and appellate law (procedural & substantive); Ohio and federal court systems; legal research methods; legal writing; federal and state regulations specific to assigned program; agency policies and procedures; legal or quasi-legal proceedings; supervision; employee training and development; spelling, punctuation, and grammar; internet protocols; case management.
Skill in:
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; strong research and writing skills; excellent calendaring system; ability to effectively communicate with clients; working knowledge of substantive legal issues regularly addressed by attorneys in the area of criminal law, both felonies and misdemeanors; ability to handle multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
Ability to:
Deal with large number of variables and determine specific course of action; organize and interpret extensive variety of legal material in books, journals, or legal documents; communicate verbally and in writing regarding legal issues; handle sensitive contacts with government officials, adverse parties, and the general public; deliver speeches; establish and maintain effective working relationships with paralegals, staff, attorneys, and court personnel; maintain accurate records, document files, and calendars; collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; proofread materials, identify errors, and make corrections; work independently; perform accurate work on time; maintain a wide range of documentation in an easily accessed filing system; handle documents of a sensitive or confidential nature.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience:
- Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. 4705.01;
- Completion of 24 credit hours of continuing legal education from accredited programs for applicable two-year reporting period pursuant to Rule X of Rules of Government of Bar of Ohio;
- Current certificate of registration in good standing pursuant to Rule VII of Rules of Government of Bar of Ohio;
- Two years experience as attorney in Ohio or equivalent experience;
- Appellate background preferred.
Job Summary:
Under general supervision and direction from the Appellate Division Director, conduct legal research; provide legal advice to staff attorneys and consult with other attorneys in the division regarding their cases; draft briefs and other appellate documents; and represent clients in the First District Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Ohio, and the Supreme Court of the United States, when necessary. Provide zealous, client-centered representation.
Illustrative Duties:
Conduct legal research and draft memorandums for staff attorneys' requests for research; draft notices of appeal, docketing statements, appellate-level motions, and other miscellaneous documents for the court of appeals; draft merit briefs, amicus briefs, memoranda in support of jurisdiction and merit briefs in the Ohio Supreme Court, and Petitions for Cert. in the United States Supreme Court when required; prepare for and present oral arguments in the First District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court; research and draft extraordinary writs when required; consult with and advise staff attorneys; participate in training and seminars; attend meetings, round tables, case consultations, practice moots; attend seminars and may present at same; maintain an ongoing, updated knowledge of criminal law, legislative activities, and current policing, including significant court decisions. Inform staff of such decisions.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The following are necessary to perform the duties of this classification.
Knowledge of:
Criminal and appellate law (procedural & substantive); Ohio and federal court systems; legal research methods; legal writing; federal and state regulations specific to assigned program; agency policies and procedures; legal or quasi-legal proceedings; supervision; employee training and development; spelling, punctuation, and grammar; internet protocols; case management.
Skill in:
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; strong research and writing skills; excellent calendaring system; ability to effectively communicate with clients; working knowledge of substantive legal issues regularly addressed by attorneys in the area of criminal law, both felonies and misdemeanors; ability to handle multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
Ability to:
Deal with large number of variables and determine specific course of action; organize and interpret extensive variety of legal material in books, journals, or legal documents; communicate verbally and in writing regarding legal issues; handle sensitive contacts with government officials, adverse parties, and the general public; deliver speeches; establish and maintain effective working relationships with paralegals, staff, attorneys, and court personnel; maintain accurate records, document files, and calendars; collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; proofread materials, identify errors, and make corrections; work independently; perform accurate work on time; maintain a wide range of documentation in an easily accessed filing system; handle documents of a sensitive or confidential nature.
