How do I prepare for the public defender interviewing and hiring process?

October 5, 2011 12:20 PM

I'm in the process of interviewing for entry-level public defender positions, through both individual offices and fellowship programs. Can anyone offer any tips specific to interviews for this type of position?

A few generalities about me: 3L at a non-T14, but not terribly low-ranked, school. (Let's say 30-ish.) Willing to move anywhere. Lots and lots of indigent defense internships, externships, clinics, etc., on my resume. But mediocre grades below the curve. No journal, moot court, etc.

I've, of course, spoken to fellow students with similar interests, as well as to professors and former supervisors. I've attended indigent defense conferences, and I've seen the online resources that are out there (e.g., Harvard Law's guide to public defender programs in general, UC Davis Law's guide to California public defenders, etc.). But I was wondering if anyone here had any additional advice regarding to the interviewing and hiring process for entry-level public defender jobs.

Throwaway account for anonymous answers: [e-mail]. Thanks so much, everybody!

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (1 answer total)

I'm a public defender (federal) and you're doing all the right stuff. In interviews, I think our office tends to look for a commitment to public service, interest in indigent criminal defense, and for someone who won't skip out after a year or two to do something more lucrative.

You may run up against the problem that some defender offices do not hire right out of school, so you might be much more competitive if you do something else (clerkship, firm, other public interest) for a year or two. Your school and grades matter less then. Obviously, this doesn't apply to fellowship positions.

Depending on where you're applying, (some places in California, for example) you may need to be fluent in Spanish so you can explain rearraignment or waiver of a detention hearing to your Spanish-speaking clients.

To a great degree, I've seen people get public defender jobs by getting referred by another public defender in that office. If you've met people at conferences, call them up. PDs get a lot of resumes, even lots with grades above the curve, so having someone fish yours out of the pile is really helpful. It's how I got my job.
posted by *s at 12:53 PM on October 5, 2011