Public Defender Jobs in California
Public Defender jobs in California represent one of the most active public-sector legal markets in the country, concentrated across county public defender offices, indigent defense nonprofits, and the state's expansive criminal justice system at every level from staff attorney to supervising and chief deputy. The largest hiring volumes are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where offices like the Los Angeles County Public Defender, the San Francisco Public Defender, and the San Diego County Public Defender consistently recruit. The most in-demand specialties include felony trial work, juvenile defense, and mental health law. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 17+ Public Defender jobs
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
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
See All 17 Public Defender Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Public Defender JobsPublic Defender Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Public Defender Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in public defender jobs across California.
- Active membership in the State Bar of California in good standing required
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school required
- Experience conducting jury or bench trials in California criminal courts preferred
- Demonstrated ability to manage a high-volume felony or misdemeanor caseload
- Familiarity with California Penal Code, Evidence Code, and local court rules
- Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or another language common in the service area valued
Public Defender Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a public defender in California?
To become a public defender in California, you must earn a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school, pass the California Bar Exam, and be admitted to the State Bar of California. Once licensed, you apply directly to county public defender offices or indigent defense organizations. Most offices require demonstrated criminal law coursework or a criminal law clinic, and many give strong preference to candidates who completed a judicial externship or law school clinic in a California court.
Which companies hire public defenders in California?
Employers hiring public defenders in California right now include County of Sonoma (CA), County of Los Angeles, and County of Ventura Government, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's size means county offices range from large institutional systems like Los Angeles County to smaller rural offices, alongside a growing number of nonprofit organizations focused on specialized indigent defense work.
Which California cities have the most public defender jobs?
Santa Rosa, Ventura, and Los Angeles County have the most public defender openings in California. Los Angeles dominates by volume given the sheer scale of its county court system, while San Francisco and San Diego each maintain well-staffed public defender offices that recruit regularly, and Sacramento generates demand as both a large county seat and the state's administrative center.
How can I get hired as a public defender in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to a county public defender office's law clerk or post-bar law clerk program while awaiting bar results. Offices such as the Los Angeles County Public Defender and the Alameda County Public Defender run structured entry-level programs that train new attorneys under supervision. Completing a criminal defense clinic, a judicial externship in a California superior court, or a public interest fellowship also signals readiness. A California Bar license and demonstrated trial advocacy, even from a law school competition, gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to public defender jobs in California?
You can find and apply to public defender jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from county offices and indigent defense organizations across the state. Find roles that fit your experience level and county preference, then apply directly to the hiring office through each listing.
See All 17 Public Defender Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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