Good Public Defender Gigs Forum

misanthrope · Post by **misanthrope** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:53 am

Hi everybody. What are regarded as the most desirable/prestigious public defender offices in the country (in terms of caseload, salary and general reputation)? I have heard that New Hampshire is extremely good, but was wondering what some others were.

baal hadad · Post by **baal hadad** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:54 am

No public defender is prestigious

Hth

ymmv · Post by **ymmv** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:56 am

LJL at someone who aspires both to SELFESS DEFENSE OF THE INDIGENT but also FAME AND GLORY.

baal hadad · Post by **baal hadad** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:04 am

Also to the extent public defender positions are desirable I'm guessing nh is not one with one of the lowest crime rates in the nation

baal hadad · Post by **baal hadad** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:05 am

Most desirable PD office: the one that hires before graduation

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:36 am

Several public defender offices in Northern California have very high salaries--over 100k to start. SF and Santa Clara County come to mind. But they almost never hire right out of law school and if you're going to be a PD salary and "prestige" should be the least of your concerns when you are starting out. It should be more where you are most likely to get hired.

misanthrope · Post by **misanthrope** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:15 am

Hmmm...K, I'll just stick with biglaw then...

ymmv · Post by **ymmv** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:17 am

misanthrope wrote:Hmmm...K, I'll just stick with biglaw then...

Strength in your convictions. I admire that.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:28 am

ymmv wrote:
misanthrope wrote:Hmmm...K, I'll just stick with biglaw then...
Strength in your convictions. I admire that.

Thank you.

misanthrope · Post by **misanthrope** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:29 am

ymmv wrote:
misanthrope wrote:Hmmm...K, I'll just stick with biglaw then...
Strength in your convictions. I admire that.

Thank you.

ash0117 · Post by **ash0117** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 11:22 am

I think the most well known are PDS, Bronx, Brooklyn, San Francisco, Legal Aid Society, Orleans PD, Miami, Colorado. They all hire pre-bar (except San fran I believe). They are nationally recognized named and "prestigious." However, any PD will give you good experience and often those big offices don't let you appear in court like many smaller offices. For example, I was at PDS 2L Summer, and while I thought it was a great experience, I don't really think I'm in a better position for the permanent job search than my friend who was at a local PD and appeared on the record. Depends on what you're looking for I guess and what your long term plans are.

As far as permanent jobs, PDS has excellent pay, hours and case loads. But it is ridiculously hard to get a job there. They are federally funded and pay is on par with many federal defender offices. I think when col is taken into account, the ny offices have some of the worst pay around. But they are "prestigious" offices.

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