Assistant Defender I

The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services is seeking to fill one Assistant Defender I position in the Parents Defense Division. Location to be determined between Augusta, Bangor, or Caribou, depending on applicant’s location. Some travel to outlying courts will be required.

PDS is an independent commission whose purpose is to provide high-quality, efficient representation to indigent citizens who are entitled to counsel at state expense. The Assistant Defender I will work under the supervision of the Parent Counsel District Defender and will share office space with the PDS Criminal Public Defender office, which is comprised of a district defender, criminal defenders, and support staff.

The Assistant Defender I will represent parents whose children have been taken into custody, or are at risk of being taken into custody, by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The candidate must have compassion for indigent clients, many of whom are experiencing or have experienced trauma and barriers to services and support. The candidate must possess strong communication, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills; have the ability to analyze facts, laws, rules and regulations, and apply applicable law to the facts and situation; conduct legal research; plan, develop and execute effective litigation strategies to achieve desired results; prepare, organize, and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; and express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner. There is potential for some appellate work, which would include filing appellate briefs, responses, and possible oral arguments in front of the Law Court. This position requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

The Assistant Defender I is expected to attend meetings between the Department and the client, assist the client access services and supports in furtherance of family reunification, file appropriate motions and pleadings, and try cases in District Court. The Assistant Defender I is expected to meet with and communicate regularly with the client and other approved parties and will also second chair cases with the Assistant Defender II at times. The Assistant Defender I position reports to the Parents Counsel District Defender.