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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POSITION SUMMARY:
Provides legal representation for indigent people at Summary Hearings, Preliminary Hearings, Mental Health Hearings, State Parole Violation Hearings, Appeals, and Juvenile Court, while under the direct supervision of a Public Defender Attorney.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential Functions:
The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Represent* Public Defender Clients at Summary Hearings;
- Represent* Public Defender Clients at Preliminary Hearings;
- Represent* Public Defender Clients at Mental Health Hearings;
- Represent* Public Defender Clients at State Parole Violations;
- Prepare appellate briefs and argue appellate issues before the Appeals Court.
- Represent* Public Defender Clients in Juvenile Court.
- *Representation includes meeting clients, evaluating cases and evidence, providing advice to clients, negotiating with the police and the District Attorney’s Office, as well as conducting hearings.
- Filing documents and client files.
- Miscellaneous typing and data entry.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited Law School.
- Must have certification from the PA Supreme Court to perform as a Certified Legal Intern.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- General knowledge of Pennsylvania Criminal Law; and
- Ability to use Windows-based computer programs;
- Possess good problem-solving and organizational abilities; and
- Possess good oratory and decision-making skills; and
- Excellent interpersonal skills; and
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to handle stress.
- Physical presence in office and field required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Will frequently be required to sit for extended periods, stand, walk, talk, and hear. Will work with office equipment, which can create eye strain.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a standard cubicle, individual office, and courtroom environment. Work is primarily performed during regular business hours; however, occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on department needs. The position may require travel within and outside of Berks County, including travel to the Berks County Prison and State Prison, as well as meetings with clients who are in custody. Access to reliable transportation is required.
The position may require working in moderately noisy to loud environments, including cubicles and communal workspaces, and participating in frequent collaborative team meetings. The work environment may be fast-paced and include frequent interruptions, changing priorities, and interactions with employees, the public, and other stakeholders.
This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.
Berks County is a combination of rich farm country, industry, beautiful parks, entertainment, and top-notch educational institutions. Whether you are interested in County services, the availability of our parks, tax rates, or other county information, this is the place to start.
Mission Statement:
It is the mission of Berks County government and all County employees to administer and deliver services to the citizens of the County in the most effective, efficient and professional manner possible within the constraints of the financial resources available.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Government & Public Sector
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, Indigent Defense Commission, and State of Minnesota, with the largest share of openings in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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 30% of public defender openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 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 126+ Public Defender Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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