The Georgia Capital Defender Office in the Central Office located in Atlanta, Georgia is seeking to hire an Assistant Public Defender IV- Trial Attorney (First Chair) representing death penalty cases. The Lead Counsel Trial Attorney position focuses on providing lead trial representation to indigent clients facing the death penalty at all stages of capital litigation. Candidates must have substantial criminal trial experience, a strong commitment to capital defense, excellent litigation and advocacy skills, and a dedication to client-centered representation.
Applicants should meet the Unified Appeal Procedure minimum qualifications for lead counsel in death penalty cases:
(1) must be a member in good standing of the State Bar or admitted to practice pro hac vice, and must have at least five years criminal litigation experience as a criminal defense attorney or a prosecuting attorney; and
(2) must have been lead counsel on at least one death penalty murder trial to verdict or three capital (non-death penalty) trials to verdict, one of which must have been a murder case, or been co-counsel on two death penalty cases; and
(3) must be familiar with the Unified Appeal Procedure; and
(4) must be familiar with and experienced in the utilization of expert witnesses and evidence, including, but not limited to, psychiatric and forensic evidence; and
(5) must have attended within twelve months previous to appointment at least ten hours of specialized training or educational programs in death penalty defense or, upon appointment, agree to take ten hours of such training or educational programs and maintain annually during the
pendency of the case ten hours of such training or educational programs. This requirement may be met by viewing video-recorded instruction and written materials and certifying to the trial court that the materials have been reviewed; and
(6) must have demonstrated the necessary proficiency and commitment that exemplify the quality of representation appropriate to capital cases.
Interested applicants should apply on Team Georgia Careers and submit a resume, cover letter addressing how the minimum qualifications are met, and a list of jury trials, to Nathanial Studelska at nstudelska@gacapdef.org.
Description of Duties: The Assistant Public Defender IV, Lead Counsel Trial Attorney provides skilled and dedicated legal representation to indigent defendants in death penalty cases. Responsibilities include developing case strategy, conducting investigations, litigating pretrial motions, presenting evidence and arguments at trial, and collaborating with mitigation specialists, investigators, and other defense team members. May also handle post-conviction proceedings in capital cases. Perform other related duties as assigned.
