Assistant Public Defender - Lima, OH

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is seeking a qualified attorney to serve as an Assistant Public Defender (APD) in the Northwest Regional Hub (NWRH) of our Trial Services Division. The NWRH is located in Lima, OH and serves individuals in Allen County, Hardin County, and Putnam County. The APD position will represent indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges in Common Pleas, Municipal, and Juvenile courts within those counties. While, generally, all APDs in our office may represent individuals in all listed courts and jurisdictions, this position will primarily serve in the Allen County Municipal Court. 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.  

The successful APD candidate will thrive in a close-knit team environment and be interested in trial-level work and providing client service in a fast-paced work environment. A successful candidate will also be eager to work with a supervisor to learn the intricacies of the position and provide high-quality representation.

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
• Please submit a writing sample and cover letter with your application. Applications without these attachments will not be reviewed. *
  
  

The Assistant Public Defender position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s E-1 Pay Range 13, presented below in table format. Starting pay will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give 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 Pay Range

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Hourly

$35.68

$37.62

$39.68

$41.82

$44.17

$46.55

$48.47

$50.75

Annual

$74,214$78,250$82,534$86,986$91,874$96,824$100,818

$105,560

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 us at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.

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.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal; Client Advocacy; Analyzation; Attention to Detail; Reasoning; Verbal Communication; Written Communication

Organization

Public Defender Commission

Agency Contact Name and Information

Zachary Wemlinger, Zachary.Wemlinger@opd.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

Ongoing

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Allen County-Lima

Compensation

$74,214 - $105,560

Schedule

Full-time

Classified Indicator

Unclassified

Union

Exempt from Union

Primary Job Skill

Attorney/Legal

Technical Skills

Attorney/Legal, Client Advocacy

Professional Skills

Analyzation, Attention to Detail, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Agency Overview

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Our Mission:Advocating. Fighting. Helping.

Our Vision :A Fair Justice System.

Our Values :Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.

We are committed to building a work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness and justice for all people.

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