District Defender - Portland
$107,723–$154,024 year
HybridPortland, Maine, United States
Job Summary
Plan, develop, and execute an effective litigation strategy for indigent defendants in high-profile cases, including preparing cases, coordinating expert testimony, and presenting arguments before state, federal, and appellate courts. Supervise attorneys and support staff by coordinating intra-office practice, managing caseloads, and establishing priorities to ensure program objectives are attained. Provide counsel on complex legal matters and implement policies to comply with human resource laws and agency standards. Requires a law degree, admission to the Maine Bar, and extensive supervisory experience in criminal defense. Salary ranges from $107,723.20 to $154,024.00 annually with partial/ hybrid telework options.
Required Qualifications
- Compassion for indigent clients
- Strong communication skills
- Strong writing skills
- Strong interviewing skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, and apply applicable law to those facts
- Ability to conduct legal research
- Ability to plan, develop and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results
- Ability to prepare, organize, and conduct witness examinations
- Ability to deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections
- Ability to express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work collaboratively
- Ability to supervise attorneys and support staff members
- Ability to coordinate intra-office practice (intake, case flow, case assignments)
- Ability to manage an appropriate caseload
- Knowledge of applicable Maine law and legal system
- Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations
- Knowledge of civil, criminal, administrative, and contract law
- Knowledge of judicial processes and procedures
- Knowledge of administrative management principles and practices
- Knowledge of legislative processes
- Knowledge of legal documents, court procedures, and rules of evidence
- Knowledge of advanced investigative techniques
- Ability to analyze and interpret facts, evidence, and precedents and arrive at logical conclusions
- Ability to develop convincing testimony and arguments
- Ability to direct, coordinate, and appraise the work activities of subordinate legal staff
- Ability to set forth findings of facts and decisions clearly and concisely
- Ability to interpret and explain laws, rules, and legal findings, and assess their impact on a case
- Ability to operate a computer within an intelligent workstation including using Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, etc.
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Ability to write clearly and effectively
- Law Degree from an accredited Law school
- Extensive experience in legal practice including experience in a supervisory capacity
- Experience in criminal defense
- Experience working on technical, analytical, and high-profile cases
- Admitted to practice law in Maine
- Currently registered with the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs
Desired Qualifications
- Ten (10) years of criminal law experience
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