Office of the Public Defender

Legal Hires

Our office hires from law schools throughout the state and across the nation—from state to ivy league schools and from those on the west coast, in the southwest, in the Midwest, in the Northeast, and in the southeast. We also hire experienced attorneys with criminal defense backgrounds as we are always looking for motivated attorneys from all backgrounds who are dedicated to representing indigent clients.

Our unparalleled training and practice environment allows our attorneys to provide high-quality representation to indigent defendants. Each of our attorneys started their tenure with a two-month-long orientation process. In-house trainings ensure that our lawyers have a sufficient base of knowledge when they receive a caseload and continue to learn and grow while staying on top of developments in the law. Attorneys regularly collaborate in and out of court, whether covering depositions for a co-worker in trial or acting as a sounding board for a novel theory of defense.

Most lawyers join our office in August though we welcome applications from December graduates who can start in March. Our hiring process is continuous throughout the year. New attorneys participate in a two-month-long orientation. During this period, they learn the ropes of local practice through a series of presentations and trainings, eventually shadowing practicing attorneys in the misdemeanor division. At the same time, they learn substantive law by working with an Appellate Division mentor drafting appellate briefs.

Once admitted to the Bar, new attorneys are assigned a caseload in one of the misdemeanor divisions. They represent defendants accused of crimes punishable by up to one year in jail. The breadth of charges is astounding, including crimes such as driving under the influence, battery, marijuana possession, theft, stalking, prostitution, and criminal mischief. Our attorneys handle each of their cases from start to finish, gaining experience at every step of the legal process. They quickly learn to draft and argue motions, litigate strategically, and negotiate favorable pleas. Most important, they learn to try cases to juries. Typically, our lawyers spend one to two years in misdemeanor court. During this time they face more juries than some lawyers do over the course of a career.

After misdemeanor court, our attorneys extend their practice in other divisions. Attorneys interested in representing children charged with crimes may join the youth defense division.

In preparation for their shift into the felony division, lawyers receive a handful of felony clients after a year of experience. If new to the practice of indigent criminal defense, most of our attorneys are assigned to a courtroom in the felony division within two years of beginning their practice.

Our attorneys will move through several divisions over the course of their career. Depending on interest, experienced attorneys may spend time in the Forensics, Mental Health, Serious Crimes, Major Crimes, or Appellate Divisions.

To Apply

Spring graduates should apply by November of their final year of law school. Fall graduates should apply by September of their final year. Applicants should follow the embedded link and upload a resume, writing sample of no more than 10 pages, a draft transcript, and three professional references (name, title, phone, and email) to: Assistant Public Defender. For those applicants we identify as a potential match, we will conduct panel interviews, which include the division chiefs and Public Defender Daniel Eisinger.

Please note that applications are accepted year round but our traditional hiring cycle is for Spring graduates to start in August, shortly after sitting for the July Florida Bar examination. NOTE: WE DO NOT PROVIDE VISA SPONSORSHIP OTHER THAN FOR CANADIAN AND MEXICAN NATIONALS APPLYING UNDER THE TN/NAFTA VISA.