WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE
NOTICE OF VACANCY
ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER
The Warren County Public Defender’s Office has an opening for an Assistant Public Defender (APD). The APD will represent indigent defendants assigned to the Public Defender’s Office during every stage of legal proceedings, from initial arraignment through to final disposition. They will conduct client intake interviews, review discovery materials, engage in factual investigation, legal research, motion practice, plea negotiations, hearings and trial preparation, and conduct bench and/or jury trials. The APD will be supervised by the Public Defender and First Assistant PD, will receive guidance and mentorship from senior APDs, and will have extensive flexibility to exercise independent judgment in crafting legal arguments and procedural strategies to achieve high level client representation.
SALARY: $91,919 annually + benefits (paid holidays, sick time, personal days, vacation, flex time, health benefits, vision/dental plans, pension, deferred compensation plan, CLE courses, biannual bar admission fees, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)).
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: At time of appointment, candidate must EITHER be a resident of Warren County, OR of an adjacent county.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
- Represents and advises defendants at every stage of legal proceedings following arrest;
- Completes paperwork for opening new client files and submits arraignment paperwork to support staff within time limits provided;
- Confers with defendants and potential witnesses for fact gathering;
- Prepares for trial by conducting preliminary hearings, filing motions, arguing pretrial hearings, evaluating case strategies, conducting legal research, and conferencing with Assistant District Attorneys concerning possible plea bargains;
- Prepares for trial by reviewing rules of evidence, filing motions in limine, drafting questions for cross-examination of witnesses, and preparing defense witnesses for testimony;
- Conducts jury trials from voir dire through verdict, with mentor to act as second chair to advise and provide guidance;
- Communicates with PD support staff members to ensure proper maintenance of case file database;
- Completes accurate and thorough case file progress notes throughout pendency of action;
- Drafts post judgment motions, including motions to vacate, and submits notices of appeal.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Possession of license to practice law in the State of New York at time of appointment.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a New York State driver’s license at the time of appointment, to meet the transportation needs of the position.
Interested candidates may submit a cover letter, resume, application, and list of references to:
Gregory V. Canale, Esq.
Warren County Public Defender
c/o Erin K. Komon, Esq.
Warren County Public Defender’s Office
1340 State Route 9
Lake George, New York 12845
komone@warrencountyny.gov
Applications available at www.warrencountyny.gov/jobs
Warren County is an Equal Opportunity / DEI Employer
