Attorney I - Public Defender
Apply NowCompany: County of Santa Clara, CA
Location: Santa Clara, CA 95051
Description:
Salary : $136,666.40 - $143,520.00 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-U18-A
Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 04/01/2025
Closing Date: 4/15/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 07
Description
Under direction, to perform professional legal work in the Office of the Public Defender.
Typical Tasks
Employment Standards
Active membership in the California State Bar is required upon appointment.
* Experience as an attorney in a Public Defender's Office in another public agency may be considered equivalent for appointment or promotion in the corresponding Public Defender's Office in the County of Santa Clara.
The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more
The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.
In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.
Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.
Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.
Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.
Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.
Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.
Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.
NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.
Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01
Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. REQUIRED: Include a DETAILED description of job duties along with employer's names, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week. If none, type N/A. Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?
02
Indicate your status pertaining to the California State Bar.
03
If you are a member of the California State Bar, list your license number and expiration date. If you do not have a California State Bar license, type N/A.
04
Are you waiting for your results from the February 2025 California State Bar Exam?
05
Describe the activities you participated in during law school that would contribute to your professional development in becoming a Deputy Public Defender. Include title of activity/group, actual dates of participation (list mm/dd/yyyy from begin date to end date), your role and responsibilities and any honors or awards you received. In addition, provide a list of courses oriented toward becoming a Deputy Public Defender.
06
Describe any paid or non-paid work experience you have in dealing with lower income populations, or the mentally ill. Include actual dates (list mm/dd/yyyy from begin date to end date) you obtained the experience, your role and responsibilities, and type of clientele served.
07
Describe your verbal arts experience (motion work, court trial, jury trial, etc.) Details should include actual dates (mm/dd/yyyy) you obtained the experience and how you obtained the experience. Motion work should include type of motion argued (suppression, 995, etc.) Jury and court trial experience should include docket number and charge(s). If you were second chair in a jury trial or court trial, please describe in detail the extent of your on-the-record courtroom participation.
08
Describe your written advocacy experience, (e.g., motions, briefs, memos, law review, legal publications, research, etc.). Details should include actual dates (mm/dd/yyyy) you obtained the experience, type of motion argued and how you obtained the experience.
09
Describe any unique or outstanding qualities you possess that would contribute to your performance as a Deputy Public Defender. How might these qualities set you apart from other applicants?
10
How did you find out about this job?
11
If you checked "Other" in question #10, please specify where you found out about this position.
Required Question
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-U18-A
Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 04/01/2025
Closing Date: 4/15/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 07
Description
Under direction, to perform professional legal work in the Office of the Public Defender.
Typical Tasks
- Provides legal counsel to, and represents, adults and juvenile clients in criminal cases;
- Conducts research and writes motions required for trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings;
- Conducts preliminary hearings;
- Evaluates investigation results and works closely with investigators and paralegals to prepare cases for trial and other hearings;
- Handles all aspects of misdemeanor cases from arraignment through trial including post-trial practice;
- Handles all aspects of juvenile cases from detention hearing to jurisdictional hearing;
- Tries cases when necessary and appropriate to protect client's interests;
- Provides courteous, high quality service to members of the public by personally responding to requests for service;
- Maintains contact with clients to facilitate communication about the case;
- Identifies and addresses competency and other mental health issues and needs;
- May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
- Performs related work as required.
Employment Standards
Active membership in the California State Bar is required upon appointment.
* Experience as an attorney in a Public Defender's Office in another public agency may be considered equivalent for appointment or promotion in the corresponding Public Defender's Office in the County of Santa Clara.
The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more
The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.
In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.
Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.
Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.
Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.
Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.
Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.
Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.
NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.
Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01
Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. REQUIRED: Include a DETAILED description of job duties along with employer's names, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week. If none, type N/A. Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?
- Yes
- No
02
Indicate your status pertaining to the California State Bar.
- I am a member of the California State Bar
- I am NOT a member of the California State Bar
03
If you are a member of the California State Bar, list your license number and expiration date. If you do not have a California State Bar license, type N/A.
04
Are you waiting for your results from the February 2025 California State Bar Exam?
- YES; I am waiting for my results for the February 2025 California State Bar Exam
- NO; I am not waiting for the California State Bar Exam results
- N/A; I have already taken and passed the California State Bar Exam
05
Describe the activities you participated in during law school that would contribute to your professional development in becoming a Deputy Public Defender. Include title of activity/group, actual dates of participation (list mm/dd/yyyy from begin date to end date), your role and responsibilities and any honors or awards you received. In addition, provide a list of courses oriented toward becoming a Deputy Public Defender.
06
Describe any paid or non-paid work experience you have in dealing with lower income populations, or the mentally ill. Include actual dates (list mm/dd/yyyy from begin date to end date) you obtained the experience, your role and responsibilities, and type of clientele served.
07
Describe your verbal arts experience (motion work, court trial, jury trial, etc.) Details should include actual dates (mm/dd/yyyy) you obtained the experience and how you obtained the experience. Motion work should include type of motion argued (suppression, 995, etc.) Jury and court trial experience should include docket number and charge(s). If you were second chair in a jury trial or court trial, please describe in detail the extent of your on-the-record courtroom participation.
08
Describe your written advocacy experience, (e.g., motions, briefs, memos, law review, legal publications, research, etc.). Details should include actual dates (mm/dd/yyyy) you obtained the experience, type of motion argued and how you obtained the experience.
09
Describe any unique or outstanding qualities you possess that would contribute to your performance as a Deputy Public Defender. How might these qualities set you apart from other applicants?
10
How did you find out about this job?
- Contacted by County Recruiter
- Contacted by a Recruitment Firm
- County Employee Referral
- County of Santa Clara Career Website
- County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
- Indeed
- X (Formerly Twitter)
- Virtual Job Fair
- In Person Job Fair
- In-Person Networking Professional Event
- Virtual Networking Event
- Community Event
- Glassdoor
- Governmentjobs.com
- Professional Association
- Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
- Handshake
- Student Career Center
- County Text Message
- County Career Newsletter
- Other (Specify in the next question)
11
If you checked "Other" in question #10, please specify where you found out about this position.
Required Question