Salary : $151,798.00 - $184,258.00 Annually
Location : Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01973
Department: Fourth Judicial District
Division: Minneapolis/Hennepin County
Opening Date: 09/18/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 5:00 PM Central

Application Requirements

ATTACH COVER LETTER AND RESUME
Under general supervision of the District Chief Public Defender or Chief Appellate Defender, performs work of considerable difficulty both in the conduct and supervision of public defense work. Supervisory and management position responsible for directing a comprehensive range of attorney and support personnel who provide legal services to public defender clients. This posting will use the candidate pool to fill two open vacancies. The interviews will take place on October 22nd and 23rd.
Definition/Summary of Duties

Examples of Duties:

• Serves as attorney of persons assigned in District or Appellate Courts;
• Interviews clients and witnesses;
• Prepares or oversees the drafting of briefs, memoranda, pleadings or other legal papers;
• Conducts or directs legal research and investigation;
• Performs all other duties to ensure the effective representation of all clients assigned.
• Assists in the supervision and administration of employees and offices;
• Participates in decisions regarding the hiring, disciplining or the termination of employees under her / his supervision;
• Supervises and evaluates the work of attorneys and support personnel;
• Assists in developing, revising and implementing local procedures for the Appellate or District Public Defender Office;
• Receives and responds to inquiries from the public concerning the activities of the Appellate or District Public Defender Office and its employees;
• Receives and responds to complaints from clients and makes decisions on resolution of complaints in consultation with the District Chief Public Defender or State Deputy Public Defender;
• Assigns cases to insure an even distribution of the workload;
• Works to resolve court scheduling issues and conflict assignments;
• Recommends appeals of court rulings; Interviews, trains, mentors and evaluates assigned employees;
• Maintains liaison with court administration, judges and other managing attorneys;
• Undertakes related additional duties and assignments as required by the District Chief Public Defender or Deputy State Public Defender.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive knowledge of legal principles and practice, including criminal, juvenile and constitutional law and procedure;
• Comprehensive knowledge of trial or appellate procedures and rules;
• Considerable knowledge of legal research;
• Considerable knowledge of the effective planning and presentation of court cases;

Abilities:

• Ability to prepare, present and conduct trial or appeals effectively;
• Ability to analyze and apply legal principles;
• Present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically; prepare proper legal instruments;
• Considerable ability to plan, direct and evaluate the work of other attorneys and staff;
• Ability to analyze of data;
• Ability to lead others by teaching, motivating, and promoting public defense values;
• Commitment and a sense of urgency in the defense of the indigent and must impart the message that the public defense mission is one worth achieving;
• Ability to set reasonable and attainable goals that inspire extraordinary effort in self and others

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Admission to the Bar of the State of Minnesota and five years' experience as a practicing attorney in the area of criminal law.
  • Prior administrative experience.

The State of Minnesota offers benefits through the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP). Benefits-eligible employees are entitled to the following insurance and pre-tax benefits:
Full time employee and part time employee benefits:
Medical insurance
Single coverage as low as $38.50 a month

Family coverage $262.66 a month
Dental insurance
Single coverage as low as $13.50 a month

Family coverage $55.40 a month
Basic Life insurance
6 week paid Parental Leave (eligible after 1 year of employment)
Retirement Savings
11 paid holidays
2 Floating holidayVacation and sick time along with leave of absence programs
Employee Assistance Program
Optional benefits:
Additional Life insurance for yourself, spouse and children
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Short and long-term disability insurance
Metro Pass
Deferred Compensation plan
Pre-tax expense accounts: dependent care account, medical and dental, transit expense
01

If you are a member of any other bar, please indicate jurisdiction(s) and date(s) of admission.
02

Are you a member of the MN bar?
03

Describe the legal research tools you are familiar with using.
04

Describe your experience with interviewing another person to obtain information.
05

Name and Location of law school attended and date of graduation
06

If you speak any languages other than English, please list.
07

List any experience, law-related or otherwise, in which you have functioned as an advocate. Please include simulated e.g. moot court or trial practice.
08

What experience do you have working with a diverse community in either volunteer or paid positions? List organizations and job duties.
09

What have you done in your life so far that demonstrates a commitment to public service?
10

Describe your experience supervising employees, including the number of staff you supervised.
Required Question