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Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:53 am
by misanthrope
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.
Re: Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:54 am
by baal hadad
No public defender is prestigious
Hth
Re: Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:56 am
by ymmv
LJL at someone who aspires both to SELFESS DEFENSE OF THE INDIGENT but also FAME AND GLORY.
Re: Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:04 am
by baal hadad
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
Re: Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:05 am
by baal hadad
Most desirable PD office: the one that hires before graduation
Re: Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:36 am
by Anonymous User
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.
Re: Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:15 am
by misanthrope
Hmmm...K, I'll just stick with biglaw then...
Re: Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:17 am
by ymmv
misanthrope wrote:Hmmm...K, I'll just stick with biglaw then...
Strength in your convictions. I admire that.
Re: Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:28 am
by Anonymous User
ymmv wrote:misanthrope wrote:Hmmm...K, I'll just stick with biglaw then...
Strength in your convictions. I admire that.
Thank you.
Re: Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:29 am
by misanthrope
ymmv wrote:misanthrope wrote:Hmmm...K, I'll just stick with biglaw then...
Strength in your convictions. I admire that.
Thank you.
Re: Good Public Defender Gigs
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 11:22 am
by ash0117
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.