Public Defender Jobs
Public Defender jobs are open across county, state, and federal public defender offices at every level from staff attorney to supervising and chief defender, with specializations in criminal defense, juvenile advocacy, and appellate representation. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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L9246K-EA
We are an essential contributor to Los Angeles County’s homelessness emergency response. Through its legal services, the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office works to facilitate the diversion of thousands of low-income community members annually from LA County’s jails and into treatment services and works to reduce the collateral social and economic impacts of contact with the criminal legal system, such as losing employment, social services, and housing. The collective services provided and supported by our workforce have a direct and indirect positive impact on our local homelessness crisis.
POSITION INFORMATION:
SPECIAL SALARY INFORMATION:
Essential Job Functions
Click here for a detailed summary and description of the DPD I job functions.
Requirements
Be admitted with the California Bar Association to practice law in all courts in California. The following are types of acceptable documents to verify your admission to practice law:
- A legible copy (photocopy or PDF format) of your active California (CA) State Bar Card. The watermark on the CA State Bar Card must be visible and indicate the current year (e.g., 2026).
- If you recently passed the bar and have not received your CA State Bar Card, a legible copy (photocopy or PDF format) of the letter from the State Bar of California Office of Admissions indicating that you have achieved a passing score on the CA State Bar Examination -AND- the records reflect that you have satisfied ALL of the requirements for admission to practice law at the time of filing. All correspondence must be on the CA State Bar Card letterhead.
- Records indicating you submitted or need to submit an Application for Determination of Moral Character (Determination Application) and is pending determination.
- Records indicating that you have not taken the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
- Records indicating that you have outstanding fees.
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
PHYSICAL CLASS 2 - LIGHT:
In order to receive credit for the required degree/coursework, certification, and/or license, you must include a legible copy of your active CA State Bar Card, or if you have recently passed the bar and have not yet received your CA State Bar Card, a legible copy of the letter from the State Bar of California Office of Admissions confirming you have passed the CA State Bar Card and satisfied all requirements for admission to practice law. Documentation must be submitted at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of your application submission. Please submit documentation to Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov and indicate your name, the exam name, and the exam number.
Additional Information
SPECIAL INFORMATION:
Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add the following email addresses to your list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
• EAvanessian@pubdef.lacounty.gov
• Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.
Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:
NO SHARING OF USER ID, E-MAIL, AND PASSWORD:
Department Contact Phone: (213) 974-7481
California Relay Service Phone: (800) 735-2922
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Employment Information
Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.
This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.
Testing Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.
Fair Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).
Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.
Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.
Veteran’s Credit:
Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.
For more information on veteran’s credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf
Revised September 2025
We welcome applications from anyone.
L9246K-EA
We are an essential contributor to Los Angeles County’s homelessness emergency response. Through its legal services, the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office works to facilitate the diversion of thousands of low-income community members annually from LA County’s jails and into treatment services and works to reduce the collateral social and economic impacts of contact with the criminal legal system, such as losing employment, social services, and housing. The collective services provided and supported by our workforce have a direct and indirect positive impact on our local homelessness crisis.
POSITION INFORMATION:
SPECIAL SALARY INFORMATION:
Essential Job Functions
Click here for a detailed summary and description of the DPD I job functions.
Requirements
Be admitted with the California Bar Association to practice law in all courts in California. The following are types of acceptable documents to verify your admission to practice law:
- A legible copy (photocopy or PDF format) of your active California (CA) State Bar Card. The watermark on the CA State Bar Card must be visible and indicate the current year (e.g., 2026).
- If you recently passed the bar and have not received your CA State Bar Card, a legible copy (photocopy or PDF format) of the letter from the State Bar of California Office of Admissions indicating that you have achieved a passing score on the CA State Bar Examination -AND- the records reflect that you have satisfied ALL of the requirements for admission to practice law at the time of filing. All correspondence must be on the CA State Bar Card letterhead.
- Records indicating you submitted or need to submit an Application for Determination of Moral Character (Determination Application) and is pending determination.
- Records indicating that you have not taken the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
- Records indicating that you have outstanding fees.
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
PHYSICAL CLASS 2 - LIGHT:
In order to receive credit for the required degree/coursework, certification, and/or license, you must include a legible copy of your active CA State Bar Card, or if you have recently passed the bar and have not yet received your CA State Bar Card, a legible copy of the letter from the State Bar of California Office of Admissions confirming you have passed the CA State Bar Card and satisfied all requirements for admission to practice law. Documentation must be submitted at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of your application submission. Please submit documentation to Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov and indicate your name, the exam name, and the exam number.
Additional Information
SPECIAL INFORMATION:
Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add the following email addresses to your list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
• EAvanessian@pubdef.lacounty.gov
• Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.
Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:
NO SHARING OF USER ID, E-MAIL, AND PASSWORD:
Department Contact Phone: (213) 974-7481
California Relay Service Phone: (800) 735-2922
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Employment Information
Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.
This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.
Testing Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.
Fair Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).
Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.
Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.
Veteran’s Credit:
Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.
For more information on veteran’s credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf
Revised September 2025
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in public defender jobs.
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active bar admission in the hiring state or jurisdiction
- Experience handling criminal defense cases from arraignment through trial
- Demonstrated courtroom and trial advocacy skills
- Ability to manage a high-volume caseload under court-imposed deadlines
- Experience with case management software and electronic court filing systems
Tips for Your Public Defender Job Search
Tailor your resume for indigent defense
Hiring committees at public defender offices want to see caseload volume, courtroom experience, and client-facing work front and center. Lead with your trial numbers, case types handled, and any specialized dockets like juvenile, felony, or appellate work.
Highlight bar admission in every application
List every state where you hold active bar admission at the top of your resume and in your cover letter. Offices frequently filter by jurisdiction before reading anything else, and a buried bar admission is a common reason strong candidates get screened out early.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists public defender openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target offices by docket specialization
Public defender offices in larger counties often post openings for specific dockets, including capital defense, mental health court, or sex offender units. Searching by those terms instead of just title surfaces roles that match your courtroom background far more precisely.
Prepare a case narrative for panel interviews
Expect multi-attorney panel interviews where you walk through a past case from arraignment to disposition. Practice explaining your investigation strategy, client communication, and how you handled evidentiary or constitutional issues, not just the outcome.
Negotiate start date around bar results
If you are awaiting bar results, ask the office whether they offer provisional offers contingent on passing. Many public defender offices do, and raising this directly avoids withdrawing from an offer you would otherwise accept.
Public Defender Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most public defenders?
The companies hiring the most public defenders right now include State of Florida, Allen County Government, and Indigent Defense Commission, with the largest share of openings in Pennsylvania, California, and Michigan, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Openings tend to cluster in offices serving high-population counties and federal districts with active criminal dockets.
How many public defender jobs are remote?
About 32% of public defender openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the courtroom-dependent nature of most defense work. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include appellate work, post-conviction relief projects, and policy or training roles within larger public defender organizations.
How do you become a public defender?
To become a public defender, you earn a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school, pass the bar exam in your target state, and gain criminal defense experience through clinical programs, law school clinics, or internships with a public defender office. After admission, you apply directly to county, state, or federal public defender offices and typically start as a staff attorney on misdemeanor or lower-level felony dockets before advancing to more complex cases.
How do you get hired as a public defender with little experience?
Focus on clinical and externship experience you accumulated in law school, particularly any work in criminal defense, juvenile, or indigent defense settings. Offices hiring new attorneys typically value demonstrated commitment to public interest work over private sector credentials, so highlight pro bono cases, relevant clinics, and any supervised courtroom appearances. Applying to offices that run structured new attorney training programs also improves your chances significantly.
What does the public defender interview process look like?
The typical process starts with a written application review, followed by a phone or video screen with an office administrator or supervising attorney. Finalists are usually invited to an in-person panel interview with staff attorneys and supervisors, where you discuss past cases, your approach to client communication, and how you handle ethical dilemmas. Some offices include a written exercise or mock client scenario as part of the final round.
Where can I find and apply to public defender jobs?
You can find and apply to public defender jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from public defender offices across the United States. Search for roles that match your jurisdiction, docket experience, and seniority level, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background.
See All 152+ Public Defender Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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