Closing Date: 11th August, 2026
Description:
Agency OverviewThe Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.
Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
Our Vision: A Fair Justice System.
Our Values: Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.
We are committed to building a work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness and justice for all people.
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Job Description:
The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is seeking a dedicated attorney to serve as an Assistant Public Defender (APD) in the Wrongful Conviction Project (WCP) within our Appellate Services Division. The APD role involves evaluating applications for assistance, identifying potential innocence claims, and preparing cases for investigation and litigation. You will join a motivated, highly collaborative project team. The WCP is dedicated to identifying, investigating, and litigating cases of actual innocence for incarcerated people in Ohio. The Project also works to educate others on the causes and consequences of wrongful convictions and advocates for policy reform.
We are seeking candidates who demonstrate a passionate commitment to social justice and the goals, mission, and values of the WCP and the Office of the Ohio Public Defender. To be successful in the position, you will: have exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills; value working in a collaborative environment; possess superior skills in organization, planning, and attention to detail; have strong interpersonal skills; have the ability to communicate in a compassionate yet direct manner; and possess experience with data language tools, preferably experience with case management tools and searchable databases.
The essential job duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Provide rigorous legal defense and representation for indigent criminal defendants in state and federal court, as solo-counsel, lead counsel, or co-counsel at the appellate and post-conviction level
- Screen and evaluate claims of wrongful conviction
- Lead case teams in developing legal and investigation strategies for potential innocence litigation
- Work closely with investigators to investigate claims of wrongful conviction
- Conduct legal research, analyze, and interpret complex issues of law
- and prepare briefs, memoranda, motions, and other pleadings subject to review
- Research areas of forensic science and medicine as needed to advocate for a particular client
- Lead other attorneys and staff in the formulation of legal, media, and advocacy strategies for a particular client and apply such strategies to attain successful representation for a particular client
- Prepare cases for oral arguments, hearing, or trial
- Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations
- Conduct appeals, prepare motions for new trial, postconviction petitions, and conduct other postconviction matters
- Appear in court on behalf of indigent clients
- Assist in recruiting and training legal interns and students. Review and advise on casework of legal interns. Assign legal interns and other personnel the preparation of case files or collecting evidence or data for case work
- Answer inquiries from indigent incarcerated people concerning their wrongful incarceration and render legal advice to clients
- Answer phone calls and letters from indigent incarcerated people and their families while also preparing and sending appropriate letters that include an explanation of legal issues, close factors, status updates, and/or further options when necessary.
The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the OPD HCM Department at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! (https://careers.ohio.gov/why-work-for-state-of-ohio) Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period (https://careers.ohio.gov/why-work-for-state-of-ohio/healthcare/01-health-care)
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) (https://das.ohio.gov/employee-relations/benefits-administration/about-my-benefits/retirement-systems) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation) (https://www.ohio457.org/aboutus)
Qualifications:
- Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01.
- Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases.
- Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.01.
Job Skills: Attorney/Legal, Client Advocacy, Verbal Communication, Analyzation, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Organizing and Planning
Supplemental Information:
Intentional omission of relevant information, falsification, or misrepresentation of information on the application will disqualify the applicant. In addition, such intentional acts are grounds for immediate termination of an employee.
Final candidates selected for this position will be required to undergo a drug test. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment. Final candidates selected for this position will also be required to undergo a background check and state income tax check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
This position serves at the pleasure and discretion of the State Public Defender. This position serves in a fiduciary relationship to the State Public Defender and will have an unclassified status per Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (9).
ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free Workplace
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
