Assistant Public Defender 4- First Chair

Public Defender Council, Georgia

Atlanta, GAFull-timeNo compensation foundPosted 1mo agoVerified open 5 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
Atlanta, GA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Active Member In Good Standing With The State Bar For At Least 5 YearsLicense To Practice Law In The State Of Georgia Or Eligibility To Sit For The Next Georgia Bar Examination Followed By Georgia Bar Exam Passage And Licensure To Practice Law In The State Of Georgia Within 1 Year Of Hiring Or ReciprocityDoctorate

Job overview

Public Defender Council, Georgia is hiring an Assistant Public Defender 4- First Chair. The Georgia Capital Defender Division seeks an experienced death‑penalty qualified attorney to serve as a Capital Defender, requiring substantial first‑chair homicide trial experience, strong capital‑case litigation skills, and at least five years as an active State Bar member.

Key focus areas include Develop case strategies for death‑penalty defendants, Conduct investigations and gather evidence, and Litigate pre‑trial motions and present arguments at trial.

Important skills include Trial Advocacy, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Organizational Skills, Manage Complex Cases, and Manage High-Stakes Cases.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Trial AdvocacyLegal ResearchLegal WritingOrganizational SkillsManage Complex CasesManage High-Stakes CasesDeveloping Case StrategiesConducting InvestigationsLitigating Pretrial MotionsPresenting Evidence at TrialPresenting Arguments at TrialCollaborating With Mitigation SpecialistsCollaborating With InvestigatorsCollaborating With Defense Team Members

Qualifications

Strong Foundation in Capital Defense LitigationActive Member in Good Standing With the State Bar for at Least 5 YearsJuris Doctorate in a Related Area From an Accredited College or UniversityLicense to Practice Law in the State of Georgia or Eligibility to Sit for the Next Georgia Bar Examination Followed by Georgia Bar Exam Passage and Licensure to Practice Law in the State of Georgia Within 1 Year of Hiring or Reciprocity3 Years of Relevant Legal Experience3 Years of Experience Required at the Lower-Level Attorney 3 (LEP022)Substantial Experience Serving as First Chair in Homicide TrialsDemonstrated Experience Handling Capital Cases

Full job description

Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia!

We are the force that drives Georgia! Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens! Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career!

Job Title:

Assistant Public Defender 4- First Chair Job Requisition ID:

JR0000001509 Number of Openings:

1 Shift:

Day (United States of America) Compensation Details:

Job Description:

The Georgia Capital Defender Division in the Central Office located in Atlanta, Georgia , is seeking an experienced death penalty-qualified attorney to serve as a Capital Defender. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience serving as first chair in homicide trials and demonstrated experience handling capital cases. While additional specialized training is available, applicants must possess a strong foundation in capital defense litigation. This position requires exceptional trial advocacy, legal research, writing, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to manage complex, high-stakes cases effectively. The candidate must be an active member in good standing with the State Bar for at least five (5) years.

Interested applicants should apply on https://careers.georgia.gov/ and submit a resume, and cover letter to Nathanial Studelska at [email protected] .

Description of Duties: The Assistant Public Defender IV, Lead Counsel Trial Attorney provides skilled and dedicated legal representation to indigent defendants in death penalty cases. Responsibilities include developing case strategies, conducting investigations, litigating pretrial motions, presenting evidence and arguments at trial, and collaborating with mitigation specialists, investigators, and other defense team members. May also handle post-conviction proceedings in capital cases. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate in a related area from an accredited college or university and license to practice law in the State of Georgia or eligibility to sit for the next Georgia Bar examination followed by Georgia Bar exam passage and licensure to practice law in the State of Georgia within one (1) year of hiring or reciprocity and three (3) years of relevant legal experience; or three (3) years of experience required at the lower-level Attorney 3 (LEP022).

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services. Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.

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