Position Available: DIRECTOR OF THE LEE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE

NOTICE OF DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS FOR DIRECTOR OF THE LEE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE

Pursuant to Ala. Code § 15-12-4, the Lee County Indigent Defense Advisory Board is establishing a Public Defender’s Office for the 37th Judicial Circuit. As such, the Advisory Board is seeking extraordinary candidates for the position of the Director of the Lee County Public Defender’s Office. The Director will be tasked with all the responsibility of establishing a fully staffed law office and fulfilling the Constitutional obligation of furnishing legal representation for indigent defendants in one of Alabama’s fastest-growing counties. As the founding Director, you will be required to establish the office, hire staff, and be the spokesperson for the Public Defender’s Office. The launch of a Public Defender’s Office is a major undertaking and should be comparable to the operations of successful Public Defender’s Offices around the state and nation. When hired, the Director will be given great freedom to achieve the successful launch of this new and important institution.

DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR:

  • Develop an intimate understanding of Lee County’s criminal justice system and its unique needs.
  • Hire, maintain, and directly supervise staff, including attorneys, paralegals, investigators, and legal assistants, and provide quality indigent defense services for one of Alabama’s fastest growing counties. This will be comparable to managing a law firm.
  • Provide the dual advantage of quality legal representation while providing control over indigent defense expenses.
  • Manage relationships with the District Attorney’s Office, the Circuit and District Judges, the local and state Bar, and the County’s other indigent defense stakeholders, such as the State Probation Office, various law enforcement agencies, the Lee County Detention Facility, and alternative sentencing programs.
  • Launch new initiatives and strategies to promote the image of the Public Defender’s Office.
  • Provide leadership in the reform of indigent defense in Alabama.

OTHER INFORMATION:

  • An applicant must be prepared to serve the Public Defender’s statute-defined term of three (3) years, subject to renewal.
  • An applicant must be a member in good standing with the Alabama State Bar, or become so prior to taking office, and a member in good standing of every other Bar of which the applicant is a member.
  • An applicant must have a minimum of eight (8) years of criminal practice experience, preferably with significant criminal jury trial experience, which demonstrates an ability to provide and inspire zealous representation of consistently high quality to criminal defendants.
  • An applicant must be able to manage the daily operations of the office.
  • The applicant must be or become a resident of Lee County within 90 days of taking office.
  • An applicant should demonstrate competency, integrity, and leadership.
  • Salary range of the Director of the Public Defender’s Office is $125,000 – $148,000, depending on experience.
  • As an employee of the State of Alabama, the Director of the Public Defender’s Office is eligible to receive State benefits, including but not limited to health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, other optional insurance coverage, retirement plan, all State holidays, and accrual of annual leave and sick leave.

THE APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

  • A complete professional resume or curriculum vitae,
  • Copies of all appropriate licenses and admissions to practice,
  • Description of experience as a practicing criminal attorney,
  • Description of experience in managing attorneys and general law office management (staff, budgeting, and finances),
  • Detailed description of the services proposed to be provided and the methods to be employed in the provision of such services, and
  • A written description of the applicant’s mission and vision for the office, including proposed core values, guiding principles, and strategic goals, and how the applicant plans to implement the same as part of the hiring, training, and performance evaluation process.

****DEADLINE****

The application and supporting documents shall be submitted and received on or before June 30, 2025. Please do not contact the Advisory Board members directly. All applications and supporting documents should be submitted electronically to:

Trish Campbell, Court Administrator

trish.campbell@alacourt.gov