Apply on Employer Site

National Legal Aid & Defender Association · 1 month ago

Senior Assistant Appellate Defender (Public Defender II)

Topeka, KS

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$70K/yr - $85K/yr

The National Legal Aid & Defender Association is seeking a Senior Assistant Appellate Defender (Public Defender II) for its Appellate Defender Office in Topeka, Kansas. This role involves representing adults convicted of felonies in their appeals and requires advanced legal writing and research skills, as well as a commitment to client-centered advocacy.

LegalNon Profit

Senior Management

Responsibilities

Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders represent adults who have been convicted of felonies and provide those individuals with direct representation in their appeals

Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders possess an advanced legal writing and research skill set and have developed a comprehensive motions and briefing practice

Attorneys at this level are capable of litigating complex statutory, procedural, and constitutional issues with some assistance from other experienced attorneys within their office

Attorneys are also expected to engage in positive communications with clients, maintain substantial understanding of the relevant law governing cases, and provide robust advocacy

Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders consistently advance the ideals of a client-centered, holistic public defender system both internally within the agency and in their interactions with outside legal system stakeholders

The attorney must demonstrate compassion for our clients and a desire to zealously advocate on behalf of the poor

The attorney in this position must be willing and able to treat our clients with dignity

Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders maintain the highest standards of professionalism, and demonstrate an ability to respectfully and successfully work with colleagues, clients, opposing counsel, and the courts

These attorneys must continue to actively advance their level of practice by seeking additional learning opportunities

Qualification

Appellate litigationLegal writingLegal researchClient-centered advocacyRelevant law

Required

Well-developed appellate litigation practice or previous defense experience at the trial or postconviction stages

Capability of working on all lower severity level and some higher severity level felony appeals with minimal supervision

Advanced legal writing and research skill set

Comprehensive motions and briefing practice

Ability to litigate complex statutory, procedural, and constitutional issues with some assistance from other experienced attorneys

Engagement in positive communications with clients

Substantial understanding of the relevant law governing cases

Robust advocacy skills

Demonstration of compassion for clients and a desire to zealously advocate on behalf of the poor

Willingness and ability to treat clients with dignity

Maintenance of the highest standards of professionalism

Ability to respectfully and successfully work with colleagues, clients, opposing counsel, and the courts

Active pursuit of additional learning opportunities

Confirmation of licensure as an active attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas, or successful admission to the Kansas Bar, prior to start date

Benefits

First day of employment comprehensive coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical, prescription drug coverage, dental, and vision. Tax advantage accounts are available and include options such as a Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts.

Additional voluntary benefits including Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance

SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: paid parental leave, military leave, jury leave, and funeral leave

Paid State Holidays

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs