Managing Public Defender

To be considered for OPD positions, applicants must complete and submit their application online, as well as upload any required application materials. This position is open until filled with frequent screenings.

Our Mission

To Provide the Most Compassionate and Expert Defense of Clients and the Constitution

Our Vision

Creating Expert Teams of Advocates for Justice, Bringing Respect and Dignity to our Clients to Achieve Holistic and Equitable Outcomes

Reasons to work for the Office of the Public Defender\: Our work changes lives!  OPD’s work makes a difference for the people in our communities. Public Defenders work for their clients, protect constitutional rights, and ensure the system remains fair. We are proud of the work we do. To find out more about OPD visit our website.

Benefits of working for OPD\: The ability to work and play in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Montana offers theaters, museums, fairs, rodeos, a high-quality educational system, and many recreational opportunities. Montana's mountains, rivers, and lakes provide year-round opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing, hiking, camping, boating, biking, hunting, skiing, and snowmobiling can be accessed throughout our great state.

Other fantastic benefits include\:

• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Work/life balance
• Flexible schedules
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Telework (when applicable)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive public service loan forgiveness – visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn more!

Materials Required of Applicants\: 

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• References\: Please provide contact information for (2) current or former supervisors and (1) professional peer.

About this Opportunity!

Job Overview\: This position oversees and manages all public defender services within assigned regions of the Conflict Defender Office. The Managing Attorney performs a variety of difficult and complex criminal defense, administrative, liaison, and supervisory duties. Duties include determining  whether or not a conflict exists within a referred case and assigning the cases appropriately,  Establishing to ensure prompt counsel, ensures that public defender assignments within the Conflict Public Defender Office comply with comply with the provisions of MCA 47-1-202.   This position Implements the standards and procedures established by the Conflict Defender Division Administrator and the Office of the State Public Defender within the Conflict Defender Offices.

Additionally, this position maintains a client caseload as determined by the Conflict Defender Division Administrator. Responsibilities include handling all phases of multi-forum litigation for indigent clients in a variety of typical to more complex and high-profile cases. Position is also responsible for providing mentoring to the developing Public Defenders in their representation of indigent clients as described in the Montana Public Defender Act. Duties include researching and preparing a legal defense based on the facts, investigations, and legal research and keeping clients informed and prepared for all stages of representation including various hearings, proceedings and/or trials depending on the type of case to ensure clients are actively and efficiently represented. The Managing Attorney reports to the Regional Conflict Public Defender, hires and manages public defenders and support staff, oversees contract services and performs all other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities)\:

The job duties and responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to the following\:

A.Client Representation                                                                                    (50%)

• Provides client Consultation & Case Assessment.

• Assess, researches, and prepares a legal defense based on the facts, investigations, and legal issues to ensure quality representation and diligent advocacy for the client at all stages of representation in civil, criminal, juvenile, involuntary commitment, or dependent/neglect cases.

• Represents clients in Court, Trials, & at all Official Proceedings; ensures clients are actively and efficiently represented at each of the various requisite official proceedings of their case.  

• Reviews and prepares legal documents, opinions, forms, contracts, permits, and other legal agreements.

• Prepares appropriate findings of fact, conclusions of law, orders for judgement(s) after administrative and court proceedings.

• Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules.

• Interviews parties, witnesses, and experts involved during the legal proceedings.

• Receives, researches, and responds to questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedure, and/or facilitates a resolution.

• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate legal advice, settlement negotiations, and/or facilitates legal decisions

• Ensures collaboration and/or provides assistance or collaborates with Public Defenders or other attorneys during trials and hearings. 

• Provides direction and guidance and responsible for cases with substantial legal precedent as well as analyzes, interprets, and advises about new laws that have no case precedent.

• Serves as a legal advisor across multiple fields of law.  

B.Administrative Management                                                                  (25%)

• Ensures resource usage in the assigned Office and the Conflict Division is fiscally sound using both employee and contract services.

• Ensure processes are in place to accurately and timely collect and report data and information critical to the operation of the office, division and the agency.

• Ensure that quality administrative management procedures are in place.

• Review all potential conflicts of interest referred to the office and make the final determination regarding whether a conflict exists.

• Oversees contract services.

• Ensure compliance with the agency’s Practice Standards to promote excellence and professionalism in representation to those entitled to counsel at public expense.

• Ensure office personnel, contractors and clients are aware of avenues available for bringing forward complaints about public defender performance.

• Ensure proper caseload management in accordance with agency policy and procedures.

• Provide assistance in resolving conflicts of interest in an appropriate and ethical manner.

• Manage highly sensitive public, political and division-specific issues.

C.Supervision                                                                                                      (20%)

• Supervises public defenders and support staff within the office.

• Ensures that there is an active and robust performance evaluation process for all office employees and contractors.

• Ensures that employees and contractors are receiving training and mentoring to be successful in performing work assignments.

• Oversees progressive discipline in a union environment.

• Ensure that assignments of counsel for capital cases are consistent with standards issued by the Montana Supreme Court.

• Provides training and guidance to public defenders.

D.Public Relations and Other Duties as Assigned                                    (5%)

• Develop relationships with prosecutors, judges, law enforcement, corrections, elected officials, non-profit organizations, and other interested parties to further the agency’s mission and promote successful outcomes for indigent persons.

• Develop and cultivate relationships with contract attorneys who provide services to the agency.

• Represent the agency at local, state, and national meetings.

• May respond directly to inquiries from the media, professional organizations and the public and may defend agency decisions. 

• May testify in legislative hearings regarding the operation of the division, including on legislation impacting the agency, budget matters, and other agency operations.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical and Environmental Demands\: This position works in a variety of settings such as an office or court, setting and has regular visits to jails, detention centers or mental health facilities.  Fluctuation of workload may require more than a 40-hour work week and requires occasional exposure to stressful situations. Attendance of continuing legal education seminars to meet Bar requirements is necessary. Depending on location, travel to attend court, trainings and provide services to clients is common, which could be up to 40% of the time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities\:

This position requires\:

• Able to energize and provide strong leadership.

• Able to provide a balanced approach to providing public defender services by balancing the needs of the client with the limited resources available to the division.

• Able to implement agency and division policies based on short and long-term strategic planning goals, management concepts and practices.

• Able to recognize, analyze and solve complex management problems.

• Able to assess hypothetical situations and impacts; consolidate a unified strategy in response to numerous issues and concerns; make proper and timely decisions in stressful situations.

• Able to direct a complex organization through effective planning, delegation and leadership.

• Able to accept the direction of the Director in carrying out policy.

• Able to gain respect and manage and utilize the skills of staff. 

• Able to provide supervision and organizational direction and to demonstrate extensive knowledge of change, personnel, and budget management.

• Demonstrated verbal and written communication, negotiation, problem solving and decision-making skills.

• Possess strong relationship-building skills, including the ability to communicate effectively across diverse groups and to build trust and credibility in working relationships.

• Demonstrated commitment to the state and the mission of the public defender system.

• Extensive knowledge of legal and court policies, procedures, practices, terminology and systems; state and federal laws, rules and regulations; and public defense.

• Knowledge and experience in public administration, public relations, government organization, lobbying, state budgeting, and legislative processes.

This agency participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.  After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.   For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https\://www.e-verify.gov/.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience)\: 

This position requires\:

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school,

• Membership in the State Bar of Montana

• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Preferred\:

• Ideal candidate will have at least five years of progressively responsible management experience including supervision of professional and support staff, budgeting, organizational and operational functions; and practical experience in law preferably in litigation of criminal and civil law involving public defense actions.

Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.