Ohio
Overview
The Assistant Public Defender (APD) will be headquartered in the Ross County Office of our Trial Services Division. The APD will serve in the courts of Jackson County or Ross County as a trial-level attorney that provides criminal defense representation to clients who cannot otherwise afford an attorney. The APD position will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges. Note: the position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court and does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation. Qualifications
Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01. Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme Court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases. Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.02. Essential duties
Essential duties of this position include but are not limited to: Prepare cases for trial Try cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel Represent clients in community control violations Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations Examine witnesses Present legal arguments and evidence Application process
In your application, please upload and attach a cover letter and a writing sample. Applications without a cover letter and writing sample will not be reviewed. Compensation
Starting pay for this position will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps provide a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 6 months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well. FY26 Wages Step 1 – Hourly: $35.68 Step 2 – Hourly: $37.62 Step 3 – Hourly: $39.68 Step 4 – Hourly: $41.82 Step 5 – Hourly: $44.17 Step 6 – Hourly: $46.55 Step 7 – Hourly: $48.47 Step 8 – Hourly: $50.75 Step 1 – Annual: $74,214 Step 2 – Annual: $78,520 Step 3 – Annual: $82,534 Step 4 – Annual: $86,986 Step 5 – Annual: $91,874 Step 6 – Annual: $96,824 Step 7 – Annual: $100,818 Step 8 – Annual: $105,560 Accommodations
The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the OPD HCM Department at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov. Notes
Eligibility to practice under certain certifications may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar as specified in the rules above.
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The Assistant Public Defender (APD) will be headquartered in the Ross County Office of our Trial Services Division. The APD will serve in the courts of Jackson County or Ross County as a trial-level attorney that provides criminal defense representation to clients who cannot otherwise afford an attorney. The APD position will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges. Note: the position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court and does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-conviction, or federal habeas litigation. Qualifications
Admission to Ohio bar pursuant to section 4705.01. Note: Prior to representing a client in federal court or U.S. Supreme Court, attorney shall obtain admission to practice law in that court; prior to appointment as appellate counsel for an indigent defendant in a capital case pursuant to Appt.Coun.R. 5.02 & 5.03, an attorney shall obtain certification from the Commission on Appointment of Counsel in Capital Cases. Note: Eligibility to practice under a Certificate to Practice Law Pending Admission in Ohio, under Rule I, Section 19 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, or eligibility to practice under a Temporary Certification for Practice in Legal services, Public Defender, and Law School Programs under Rule IX of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. Section 4705.02. Essential duties
Essential duties of this position include but are not limited to: Prepare cases for trial Try cases as lead counsel or as co-counsel Represent clients in community control violations Conduct pre-trial conferences, hearings, and plea negotiations Examine witnesses Present legal arguments and evidence Application process
In your application, please upload and attach a cover letter and a writing sample. Applications without a cover letter and writing sample will not be reviewed. Compensation
Starting pay for this position will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps provide a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 6 months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well. FY26 Wages Step 1 – Hourly: $35.68 Step 2 – Hourly: $37.62 Step 3 – Hourly: $39.68 Step 4 – Hourly: $41.82 Step 5 – Hourly: $44.17 Step 6 – Hourly: $46.55 Step 7 – Hourly: $48.47 Step 8 – Hourly: $50.75 Step 1 – Annual: $74,214 Step 2 – Annual: $78,520 Step 3 – Annual: $82,534 Step 4 – Annual: $86,986 Step 5 – Annual: $91,874 Step 6 – Annual: $96,824 Step 7 – Annual: $100,818 Step 8 – Annual: $105,560 Accommodations
The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the OPD HCM Department at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov. Notes
Eligibility to practice under certain certifications may be accepted in lieu of admission to the Ohio Bar as specified in the rules above.
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