Criminal Defense Attorney

Position: Criminal Defense Attorney

Direct Report: Executive Director

Hours Expectation: 40/week

Wages: $72,800 starting salary with benefits

Overview: Criminal Defense Attorneys zealously advocate for individuals charged with misdemeanors in Douglas County District Court. Attorneys appear in various proceedings including but not limited to first appearances, hearings, and trials in criminal court. Criminal Defense Attorneys provide comprehensive representation in collaboration with attorneys and advocates in other practice areas to avoid or mitigate any enmeshed consequences that may arise out of our clients’ contact with the criminal court system. To that end, Criminal Defense Attorneys must consistently be prepared to litigate and confidently engage in skillful negotiations with judges, prosecutors, and other actors within the systems our clients navigate.

Responsibilities:

Litigation and Legal Proceedings - 75%

• Prepare thoroughly and litigate effectively in all motions, hearings, and trials.
• Accurately assess potential case strategy; weigh case path options and choose the most effective course that aligns with client expectations.
• Communicate effectively and persuasively in court.
• Write effective legal briefs, motions, and memoranda.
• Engage in regular research; maintain an elevated knowledge of the law.
• Communicate with clients regularly and clearly about court dates, plea offers made by the State, and responsibilities of the client in seeking resolution, and otherwise keep clients reasonably informed about the path of their case.
• Comply with all ethical rules related to the practice of law in Kansas.
• Participate productively in case prep meetings, weekly stand-ups, and debriefs.

Case Management – 25%

• Learn and proficiently navigate KHD’s case management system to assist with the accurate collection of various points of reportable data.
• Collaborate with the defense attorney team to ensure effective coverage and care in all cases represented by KHD.
• Update case files, tasks, court dates, demographic information, and outcomes regularly and promptly.
• Maintain an organized file system for accurate case file tracking.
• Clearly explain, support, and track the completion of tasks you have assigned to other staff members on your cases.

Practicing Holistic Defense – 100%

• Meet with clients at or before first appearances, appearing at first appearances on scheduled days, and representing clients at first appearance and afterward.
• Work equitably and collaboratively with investigators, client advocates, and other support staff to prepare cases and meet identified client goals.
• Enthusiastically identify and help complete tasks that may not fit traditional standards of practicing law but become necessary to best represent a client’s case.

Qualifications:

To be eligible, applicants must have:

• A Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Membership in good standing to the Kansas Bar or eligibility for admission before employment.
• Active licensure as an attorney in good standing in the State of Kansas.
• Valid driver’s license.

Applicants will be selected based on:

• A commitment to defending poor and working-class people;
• Experience and interest in criminal defense;
• Ability to think critically and quickly on their feet;
• Excellent research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; and
• Ability and desire to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.

Performance Metrics:

Criminal Defense Attorneys will be evaluated on their performance based on the execution of the above responsibilities as well as the following overall performance standards outlined for all KHD staff:

• Capacity: Ability to perform job duties in a suitable capacity. This can vary based on the needs of cases and one’s caseload. Regular communication of workload with one’s direct report to determine a suitable capacity level will be crucial.
• Accuracy: Ability to not only perform at an adequate capacity but do so with few irremediable mistakes.
• Team Compliance: Ability to work with the team and create professionally sustainable relationships with coworkers.
• Client Satisfaction: Ability to maintain a client-centered approach to one’s duties, where clearly outlined expectations are met and neither under nor over-performed to the detriment of the staff member.
• Engagement: Ability to maintain an eagerness and high involvement level in both duties and the overall scope of the work performed by KHD.

Special Considerations: Please note that Kansas Holistic Defenders is a growing organization seeking to innovate and revitalize the public defense system. This job description and outline may be subject to change as the needs of the company change. Careful considerations will be made to follow this outline to our best ability, and changes in expectations or duties will be reflected in this description and performance metrics as they arise.

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and two references to admin@kansasholisticdefenders.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Kansas Holistic Defenders is an equal-opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent, and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems.