Job Description

Advertisement Closes
9/22/2025 (8:00 PM EDT)
req73189
Staff Attorney II
Pay Grade
17
Salary
$4,792.46 - $7,188.68 Monthly
Employment Type
EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME |INELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

Click here for more details on state employment.

Hiring Agency
Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Public Advocacy
Location
5 Mill Creek Park

Frankfort, KY 40601 USA
Description
The Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) is nationally recognized as a model state-wide public defender system with an exceptional training and education program. Our defense teams ensure the criminal justice process is fair, results are just, and individual liberties are protected.



We are seeking to hire an experienced staff attorney as part of a criminal defense team for a vacancy in the Education, Recruiting and Strategic Planning Division. Kentucky DPA looks for individuals who have demonstrated a desire to help the most vulnerable in their communities through the education and training of attorneys and non-attorneys alike.



Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Assist in education for new attorneys, including developing individual presentations and supporting the creation of training materials and manuals and the implementation of workshops. Assist in education for non-attorneys through workshops and seminar style presentations. Provide direct assistance to field attorneys through file review, case reviews, and assistance in trials or hearings. Join trial teams to assist the representation of clients with unique, controversial, technical or otherwise complex legal issues. Serve as primary contact for the lawyer, investigator and alternative sentencing worker mentorship programs. Provide advice and assistance to those less experienced and train other mentors to provide the same assistance. Assist with other Education and Strategic Planning Branch events and support special projects assigned, this includes preparing and presenting seminar lectures. Travel is required.

The ideal candidate has criminal defense experience and exhibits exceptional planning and organizational skills, is self-directed, and also comfortable working with other attorneys, investigators, alternative sentencing workers, office administrative legal staff, and the appropriate division directors. This position includes extensive research and analysis of current legal issues and trends and requires development of training materials, case problems, and assistance with the production of all DPA manuals. These duties are legal and complex in nature and used to assist field attorneys in direct representation of clients in complex legal matters.
Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION:

See Special Requirements.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS:

Must have one year of experience as a licensed attorney in the practice of law or one year of supervised practice under Kentucky Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 2.116, or a combination totaling at least one year of experience.

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE:

A Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) will substitute for the one year required experience.

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION:

NONE

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.):

Must be admitted to practice law and in good standing in the Commonwealth of Kentucky OR comply with Kentucky Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 2.111 (limited certification of admission to practice), SCR 2.112 (attorney participants in defender or legal services programs), SCR 2.117 (practice pending admission). Must maintain any required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials for the length of employment in this job classification. Employing agency is responsible for ensuring employee possesses and maintains required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials.
Working Conditions
Duties are performed primarily in both office and courtroom settings. Travel is required.
Probationary Period
This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.
If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Christine Madjar at christine.madjar@ky.gov or 502-782-3163.
An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D