Salary: $105,543.00 - $158,315.00 Annually
Location : VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN FULTON COUNTY, GA
Job Type: LEGAL
Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade:: K10

UNCLASSIFIED EXEMPT POSITION
Please refrain from attaching personal and identifiable information: Driver's License, Photo on Resumes, DD214, Vaccination cards, etc.
Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate Degree required; supplemented by six-year(s) of experience as a practicing attorney. Resumes are welcomed without personal and identifiable information

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain certification and licensure from the State Bar of Georgia. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position. Requires knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal laws; policies and procedures governing assigned courts, and methods and techniques related to the area of assignment.

Veterans' Preference:

Qualifying veterans will be given preference in the form of a guaranteed invitation to interview for any position to which they applied and have been found to have met the minimum qualifications. Veterans' preference provides for hiring preference on initial appointment only. To see the full Fulton County Veterans' Preference Policy and Procedure, please click here.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ACCURACY AND MAKE ALL CORRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTAL BECAUSE ERRORS CAN RESULT IN NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER ALLOCATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT.

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to provide competent and zealous legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients of Fulton County. This classification is distinguished from the series by functioning in a lead capacity, assigned to oversee the work or caseload of other attorneys or investigative and legal staff. Positions in this classification are assigned to prosecute as lead attorney on highly complex and serious upper-level felony cases which may involve homicide, crimes against women or children, crimes of public integrity, or appellate cases.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Leads and coordinates daily work activities of assigned co-workers: confers with supervisor to obtain direction regarding work assignments and priorities; organizes tasks in order to complete assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise; assists with training and instructing co-workers regarding operational procedures; assists with supervision of co-workers by reporting employee problems and providing input on disciplinary action and employee performance evaluations.

Represents clients in court at various stages of cases, including arraignments, preliminary and pretrial hearings, probation and sentencing, post-adjudication/post-conviction hearings, appeals or any related courtroom proceedings: negotiates at all stages on behalf of the client; prepares and argues motions; conducts jury selection, makes opening and closing statements, presents evidence, and questions witnesses; and makes appropriate objections and arguments.

Investigates and prepares cases for hearings and trials: reviews discovery; interviews clients in and out of custody; requests and inspects records and evidence; review criminal histories; prepares graphics and exhibits; explores alternative explanations for the alleged incident; follows up on defense leads; identifies and interviews witnesses and alibis; observes crime scenes; subpoenas witnesses and prepares them for trial; prepares clients for trial; determines need for, procures, and interviews expert witnesses; assesses need for psychological/psychiatric evaluation of client; anticipates legal issues; develops defense theory and case strategies.

Represents clients at pre-trial conferences: secures and argues mitigating evidence; negotiates resolutions with assistant district attorneys; and advises clients regarding the acceptance or rejection of plea offers.

Coordinates post-adjudication/disposition/conviction follow-up and relief: secures mitigating evidence for sentencing or restitution; reviews court orders and case plans; files related requests, motions and appeals; advocates for client; and secures additional services for client.

Conducts case research and documentation: researches relevant case law and interprets in relation to the facts of the case; researches the terms, procedures, or science used in other fields that may be relevant to a case; prepares briefs and motions and responses to same; writes case summaries; drafts jury charges; and makes trial notes.

Communicates with, advises, and advocates for indigent clients: develops trusting and supportive attorney-client relationship; explains and advises clients regarding their rights, the investigative and judicial process, and the advisability of alternative courses of action; and provides updates regarding case status.

Manages caseload: attends scheduled court appearances; creates new case files, inputs and records case-related data and notes, logs case activities, and closes files; receives and reviews calendars; and coordinates with court administration, clients, witnesses, experts and others.

Maintains and upgrades knowledge in appropriate legal fields: attends conferences, seminars, meetings and training events relevant to area of expertise; keeps abreast of legal changes; and participates in professional organizations.

Communicates with prosecuting attorneys, judges, investigators, legal support staff, witnesses, experts, translators, client friends and family, probation officers, supervisor, government officials, other employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, present or exchange information, provide legal counsel and interpretation, or resolve problems.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including, police reports, witness statements, laboratory reports, criminal histories, defense motions, and case law updates; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including a variety of motions, orders, letters, notices, petitions, legal briefs, trial summaries, and departmental reports; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.
For Applicants With Prior Military Service:
We strongly encourage veterans, prior military and transitioning service members to apply. Many of the competencies and transferable skills developed through military service directly support success in this role, including:

Leadership under pressure: Demonstrates strong judgment and composure while managing complex, high-volume caseloads; Leads case strategy discussions and provides direction to junior attorneys, investigators, and support staff; Makes confident decisions in urgent or high-stakes situations while maintaining professionalism.

Operational planning and execution: Plans, organizes, and prioritizes case activities to ensure timely and accurate completion of responsibilities; Coordinates with internal teams, external partners, and court personnel to maintain smooth case progression; Manages documentation, deadlines, and required procedures with disciplined attention to detail.

Adaptability and rapid problem solving: Adjusts quickly to evolving case conditions, new information, or sudden procedural changes; Evaluates issues swiftly and proposes practical, effective solutions; Responds resourcefully to unexpected developments while maintaining case integrity.

Team cohesion and communication: Communicates clearly and collaboratively with colleagues, investigators, social service teams, and court staff; Builds strong working relationships that support unified case strategies and efficient workflows; Uses active listening and timely updates to promote alignment and trust across teams.

Safety and risk awareness: Identifies potential risks related to case decisions, confidentiality, or courtroom procedures and takes appropriate precautions; Adheres strictly to guidelines protecting sensitive information and organizational integrity; Recognizes when to escalate concerns to leadership to mitigate operational or compliance risks.

Technical and equipment proficiency: Works confidently with case-management systems, digital research tools, and electronic filing platforms; Prepares and organizes digital case files, evidence, and documentation with accuracy and consistency; Applies strong attention to detail when using office technology to support reliable data and workflow management.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analyses to determine necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of negotiation. Performs such in formal situations within the context of legal guidelines.Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.

01

The answers you provide to the supplemental questions will be used to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Your responses pertaining to specific work experience and education must be clearly shown in the areas for work history and education on your application. Your application must be completed in full before it is submitted. Please review all applications for accuracy and make all corrections before submittal because errors can result in not meeting the minimum qualifications. We do not accept additional information after your application has been received by the Human Resoruces Management Department. Do you accept these conditions?

• Yes
• No

02

What is your highest level of education completed?

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. Equivalent
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate's Degree
• None of the Above

03

How many years of work experience do you possess as a practicing attorney?

• 0 Month to 5 Months
• 6 Months - 12 Months
• 18 Months to 2 Years
• 30 Months to 3 Years
• 42 Months to 4 Years
• 54 Months to 5 Years
• 66 Months to 6 Years
• 6 Years or more
• None of the above

04

In what field of study related to this position do you possess an Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree and Doctorate's Degree or have earned college credits?

• Law
• None of the above

05

Do you possess a valid Driver's License? Must be valid from any state.

• Yes
• No

06

What association related to this position are you currently a member? If you are hired and barred outside of the State of Georgia, you must possess and maintain certification and licensure from the State Bar of Georgia or obtain within six months of hire.

• State Bar of Georgia
• State Bar of Georgia (but not in good standing at this time)
• Other State Bar (in good standing)

07

How many years of work experience do you have in a lead capacity coordinating the daily work activities of assigned co-workers?

• 6 months to 1 year
• 18 months to 2 years
• 30 months to 3 years