Job Opening: Assistant Public Defender, Appellate Attorney

The Public Defender for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida seeks a full-time attorney with excellent writing skills for appellate position handling criminal and delinquency court appeals.

The Public Defender is an elected official who has a constitutional duty to provide legal representation to persons in jeopardy of losing their life or liberty who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Our office employs nearly 230 lawyers plus investigators, mitigation specialists, secretaries, and paralegals to assist with the more than 70,000 cases we handle each year. We recruit locally and nationally with just one goal in mind: To put together a diverse team of outstanding men and women from all racial and ethnic backgrounds who are able to provide high-quality representation to our clients. Extensive entry-level training provided.

Position Type

Full time, assistant public defender position

Salary and Benefits

• Starting salary $70,000, could be higher salary commensurate with experience
• Health insurance
• Annual leave – 20 days per year
• Sick leave - 13 days per year
• Paid holidays – 13 days per year
• $25,000 life insurance policy - paid by the State of Florida
• Short-term disability insurance - paid by the State of Florida
• Optional employee-paid supplement insurance plans available (additional life insurance, vision, dental, cancer, hospitalization, and disability)
• State retirement benefits - vesting after 8 years in a pension plan or after 1 year for the investment plan
• Deferred compensation – option of saving a portion of monthly salary in a tax-sheltered account
• Extensive training and CLE credits
• Florida Bar dues paid by the office

How to Apply

Complete an Application for Employment and submit your resume, cover letter and writing sample, all in PDF format, to jobs@pdmiami.com. Please include information in your cover letter to support your qualifications for this position.

Due to the volume of applications, please do not call or make inquiries via email.

How you will be evaluated

Your submitted application materials will be reviewed to determine compliance with application requirements, level of position-relevant work experience, education and training.

After your application materials have been reviewed, you may be required to participate in a selection interview. Candidates who do not reside in Miami-Dade County may be interviewed initially via Zoom or other electronic means.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants will be considered irrespective of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or political affiliation.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

Veterans are encouraged to apply.