Colorado State Public Defender Forum

[Anonymous User]

To the people who haven't received a placement yet: I got almost verbatim the same answer as the other poster (probably no placement until after bar results, could be later in the year as well). Glad to see other people are in the same boat and I'm not an oddball!

To the person inquiring about the hiring process: I had a single interview in February. Single person interview. No particular curveballs in the interview process. I haven't received placement yet, so can't tell you how that works unfortunately.

[Anonymous User]

Is anyone else who took the July bar absolutely TERRIFIED of hearing results? I have no sense of how I did on the bar (good or bad) and I'm so petrified of losing the job if I fail. It's really my dream job so the possibility that I might lose it, now that I finally have it, is just petrifying to me.

Imagining getting those results next week makes me physically ill and shaky! Am I just being melodramatic or are other first year CO PDs feeling the same?

[crownjd]

Is anyone else who took the July bar absolutely TERRIFIED of hearing results? I have no sense of how I did on the bar (good or bad) and I'm so petrified of losing the job if I fail. It's really my dream job so the possibility that I might lose it, now that I finally have it, is just petrifying to me.

Imagining getting those results next week makes me physically ill and shaky! Am I just being melodramatic or are other first year CO PDs feeling the same?

Not to one-up you, but I've BEEN HERE for 1.5 months and it could all be over on 10/3 and I'm back to office work until APRIL 30TH.

Let's just assume we passed. That's my happy place. Adding Esq. to our names!

[rsm0117]

Thank you for the responses! For those of you are still awaiting your placement, I am assuming that you have not started receiving a paycheck yet and I'm assuming that none of your moving expenses would be covered either? How is everyone making money/getting by? I'm a bit nervous if I were to accept a job that I would not get placed right away and have no money coming in. On the CSPD website it says that newly hired attorneys usually get placed within a year of graduation of law school. That sounds a bit terrifying to have to wait nearly a year for a job you accepted to start if there is no money coming in.

[aclang24]

I’m just living with family and doing temp work at the moment to keep myself occupied and make some money. It’s not ideal, but it was my understanding that I would be placed by the end of the year at absolute latest. If for some reason I don’t hear anything from them by the end of December, I’ll evaluate my options at that time, but hopefully it shouldn’t come to that.

Full disclosure: I passed the UBE in 2018 and am currently going through the character and fitness process. I clerked from end of August 2018 to end of August 2019, and I accepted the offer from Colorado early this year, so I’m not sure how relevant my experience is to that of new graduates.

[aclang24]

I’m definitely committed to waiting until I receive a placement, no matter how long it takes. I’m really excited about working in Colorado. If it takes longer than until the end of the year, I may have to consider more resume-worthy temp work than what I’m currently doing.

[crownjd]

I’m definitely committed to waiting until I receive a placement, no matter how long it takes. I’m really excited about working in Colorado. If it takes longer than until the end of the year, I may have to consider more resume-worthy temp work than what I’m currently doing.

Can't wait to have you here!

[rsm0117]

Hey guys,

Thanks again for the information! I have another question, what did everybody wear for the Skype interview? I've never done one before, and I'm assuming I should treat it like any other interview and wear a full suit? Also, what locations are good for these? My home internet is terrible, so I was thinking of finding a quiet corner in my local starbucks or coffee shop. Just wondering if anyone has any advice or tips to make it go as smooth as possible.

[The Abyss]

Hey guys,

Thanks again for the information! I have another question, what did everybody wear for the Skype interview? I've never done one before, and I'm assuming I should treat it like any other interview and wear a full suit? Also, what locations are good for these? My home internet is terrible, so I was thinking of finding a quiet corner in my local starbucks or coffee shop. Just wondering if anyone has any advice or tips to make it go as smooth as possible.

Yeah, where a full suit. And does your law school have a clinic area? See if you can use a client interview room. That's what I did.

[Anonymous User]

Definitely wear a suit to the Skype interview, at least on top (they won't see what pants/skirt you're wearing--some people feel self conscious in sweats on Skype but I always wore basketball shorts, never bothered me).

I would probably recommend not doing it in a coffeeshop. It looks a bit unprofessional. I always did Skype interviews in my apartment, with a plain white wall behind me. I agree with the other poster who suggested finding somewhere on campus (like reserve a study room--make sure to put a sign on door saying not to disturb).

Personally, I'm fortunte enough to be living with family at the moment so I'm not incurring any expenses. I'm definitely committed to waiting as long as it takes to get placement, though. You'll find that's not uncommon for public defender offices. Many hire and take months to even a full year to place their hirees. It's just part of the job.

[Anonymous User]

Any interest in reviving this? I'm curious if anyone has heard anything since submitting preference information.

[nearthefinishline]

yes, me! i have an interest!

i haven't heard anything since then end of april when preferences were submitted.
my restlessness is starting to morph into impatience.

[es925]

When I asked, they said they don't know if their budget will be done until the end of June. And it could be July, August, or possibly later before they start making placement decisions :/