Senior Assistant Appellate Defender (Public Defender II)

Position Description

Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services

Open Position – Call for Applicants

Senior Assistant Appellate Defender (Public Defender II) Appellate Defender Office

Topeka, KS

Senior Assistant Appellate Defender (Public Defender II)

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Senior Assistant Appellate Defender (PD II) in the Appellate Defender Office in Topeka, Kansas.

The position of Senior Assistant Appellate Defender is for attorneys who have a well-developed appellate litigation practice or previous defense experience at the trial or postconviction stages, and who are capable of working on all lower severity level and some higher severity level felony appeals assigned to them with minimal supervision.

The Mission

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS), through its regional public defender offices like the Appellate Defender Office, represents adults charged with felonies who cannot hire an attorney. By supporting and elevating public defense in the State of Kansas, BIDS empowers its team to provide relentless representation and collaborative, holistic advocacy in service of client-centered outcomes.

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is in the process of remaking its public defense model with a renewed emphasis on building public defense offices with an interdisciplinary team-based collaborative defense system that uses community connections and resources to better represent not just an individual’s case, but the client as a whole.

The office of the Appellate Defender is looking for dynamic, client-centered advocates who are passionate about the importance of public defense and are interested in aiding our efforts to rebuild our system and transform the public defender office in Topeka into a model of collaborative public defense practice.

Responsibilities

Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders represent adults who have been convicted of felonies and provide those individuals with direct representation in their appeals. Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders possess an advanced legal writing and research skill set and have developed a comprehensive motions and briefing practice. Attorneys at this level are capable of litigating complex statutory, procedural, and constitutional issues with some assistance from other

experienced attorneys within their office. Attorneys are also expected to engage in positive communications with clients, maintain substantial understanding of the relevant law governing cases, and provide robust advocacy.

Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders consistently advance the ideals of a client-centered, holistic public defender system both internally within the agency and in their interactions with outside legal system stakeholders. The attorney must demonstrate compassion for our clients and a desire to zealously advocate on behalf of the poor. The attorney in this position must be willing and able to treat our clients with dignity.

Senior Assistant Appellate Defenders maintain the highest standards of professionalism, and demonstrate an ability to respectfully and successfully work with colleagues, clients, opposing counsel, and the courts. These attorneys must continue to actively advance their level of practice by seeking additional learning opportunities.

Salary And Benefits

Compensation for this position (Public Defender II) ranges from $70,000.00 - $85,000.00. Salary may vary depending upon experience or qualifications.

The State Of Kansas Employment Benefits Package Includes

• First day of employment comprehensive coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical, prescription drug coverage, dental, and vision. Tax advantage accounts are available and include options such as a Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Additional voluntary benefits including Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance
• SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: paid parental leave, military leave, jury leave, and funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Please Be Aware That If An Offer Of Employment Is Made, Actual Employment Is Subject To Two Pre- Employment Conditions Which Include

• Confirmation of licensure as an active attorney in good standing the State of Kansas, or successful admission to the Kansas Bar, prior to start date.
• Governor’s salary approval.