Regional Defender

Salary Grade: Flat Rated
The Office of Indigent Defense Services is seeking a qualified individual to work to advance Indigent Defense Services (IDS) mission to safeguard individual liberty and the Constitution by equipping the North Carolina public defense community with the resources it needs to achieve fair and just outcomes for clients by serving as the primary point of contact for contract attorneys and judicial officials. Work location will be in Durham but negotiable within 18 counties covered by Managed Assigned Counsel program.
Currently, IDS has contracts for adult criminal work in Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Greene, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Lenoir, Orange, Person, Pitt, Vance, Wake, Warren and Wayne counties. The Executive Director will make the final county assignments for the next Regional Defender, based on county needs and staff locations.
Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct courtroom observations; meet with contract counsel and other system actors; and conduct any needed review of contract attorneys' work to ensure that the attorneys are providing quality representation and are providing complete and reliable data to IDS.
• Monitor workloads and dispositions for contract counsel. Develop methods for handling complaints from defendants and others.
• Assist in the evaluation and the selection of attorneys for contracts and work with the Contract Administrator to identify and negotiate with individual attorneys for contacts.
• Recruit qualified attorneys to handle court appointed cases, including working with interest attorneys to help them become qualified for the rosters.
• Work with IDS staff, School of Government, and others to ensure that training is available for and resources, such as trial manuals and brief and motions banks, are adequate for the needs of managed assigned counsel.
• Consult with attorneys on specific cases as needed.
• This position requires frequent and extensive travel within a designated region using a state issued vehicle.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:
Knowledge of: NC General Statutes and applicable caselaw to define the parameters and responsibilities of the contract attorneys; general management, budgetary and organizational practices to properly organize and manage the contract attorneys; the NC court system and the principles and practices of current models and methods of provision of legal services to indigents.
Skills in: direct representation of indigent defendants and/or respondents; problem solving; personnel management; interpersonal communications; making presentations; relationship building; and interviewing skills.
Ability to: plan, establish, direct, and implement standards for the contract attorneys; provide oversight to professionals; write reports and policy and procedures; deal tactfully with sensitive situations; schedule and counsel employees; work with multiple groups representing diverse interests in a constructive and productive manner; and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
North Carolina law license, Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited ABA law school and five (5) years of experience in criminal defense work including indigent representation involving a variety of case types from district court through serious superior court matters; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Management Preference

• Candidates with experience trying criminal cases is required.
• Candidates with five (5) years of legal experience with some supervisory or teaching experience. Experience with jury trials is preferred
• Experience in the private practice of law is preferred.

Must Have a Valid North Carolina Driver's License.
Attach Cover Letter and Résumé.