ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER IV

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Veterans’ Preference:

Qualifying veterans will be given preference in the form of a guaranteed invitation to interview for any position to which they applied and have been found to have met the minimum qualifications. Veterans’ preference provides for hiring preference on initial appointment only. To see the full Fulton County Veterans’ Preference Policy and Procedure, please click here.

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to provide competent and zealous legal representation and advocacy to indigent clients of Fulton County. This classification is distinguished from the series by functioning as an expert attorney, assigned specifically to the most serious, legally complex, high-profile, and significant felony and appellate cases assigned to the Public Defender's Office. Positions at this level function with significant autonomy, defending upper-level felonies with very limited supervision. Positions in this classification also usually function in a lead capacity, assigned to oversee the work or caseload of a unit of attorneys or investigative and legal staff

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Leads and coordinates daily work activities of assigned employees: confers with supervisor to obtain direction regarding work assignments and priorities; organizes tasks in order to complete assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers and employees, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise; and assists with training and instructing co-workers regarding operational procedures.

Represents clients in court at various stages of cases, including arraignments, preliminary and pretrial hearings, probation and sentencing, post-adjudication/post-conviction hearings, appeals or any related courtroom proceedings: negotiates at all stages on behalf of the client; prepares and argues motions; conducts jury selection, makes opening and closing statements, presents evidence, and questions witnesses; and makes appropriate objections and arguments.

Investigates and prepares cases for hearings and trials: reviews discovery; interviews clients in and out of custody; requests and inspects records and evidence; reviews criminal histories; prepares graphics and exhibits; explores alternative explanations for the alleged incident; follows up on defense leads; identifies and interviews witnesses and alibis; observes crime scenes; subpoenas witnesses and prepares them for trial; prepares clients for trial; determines need for, procures, and interviews expert witnesses; assesses need for psychological/psychiatric evaluation of client; anticipates legal issues; develops defense theory and case strategies.

Represents clients at pre-trial conferences: secures and argues mitigating evidence; negotiates resolutions with assistant district attorneys; and advises clients regarding the acceptance or rejection of plea offers.

Coordinates post-adjudication/disposition/conviction follow-up and relief: secures mitigating evidence for sentencing or restitution; reviews court orders and case plans; files related requests, motions and appeals; advocates for client; and secures additional services for client.

Conducts case research and documentation: researches relevant case law and interprets in relation to the facts of the case; researches the terms, procedures, or science used in other fields that may be relevant to a case; prepares briefs and motions and responses to same; writes case summaries; drafts jury charges; and makes trial notes.

Communicates with, advises, and advocates for indigent clients: develops trusting and supportive attorney-client relationship; explains and advises clients regarding their rights, the investigative and judicial process, and the advisability of alternative courses of action; and provides updates regarding case status.

Manages caseload: attends scheduled court appearances; creates new case files, inputs and records case-related data and notes, logs case activities, and closes files; receives and reviews calendars; and coordinates with court administration, clients, witnesses, experts and others.

Maintains and upgrades knowledge in appropriate legal fields: attends conferences, seminars, meetings and training events relevant to area of expertise; keeps abreast of legal changes; and participates in professional organizations.

Communicates with prosecuting attorneys, judges, investigators, legal support staff, witnesses, experts, translators, client friends and family, probation officers, supervisor, government officials, other employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, present or exchange information, provide legal counsel and interpretation, or resolve problems.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including, police reports, witness statements, laboratory reports, criminal histories, defense motions, and case law updates; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including a variety of motions, orders, letters, notices, petitions, legal briefs, trial summaries, and departmental reports; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

For Applicants With Prior Military Service: 

We strongly encourage veterans, prior military and transitioning service members to apply. Many of the competencies and transferable skills developed through military service directly support success in this role, including:

Leadership Under Pressure: Ability to make decisive, well-reasoned judgments in high-stakes, time-sensitive situations; Guiding clients, colleagues, and support staff through stressful or emotionally charged moments.

Operational Planning and Execution: Strategically preparing case plans, timelines, and litigation approaches; Managing competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and compliance with legal standards; Coordinating investigative steps, evidence review, and court readiness efficiently.

Adaptability and Rapid Problem Solving: Quickly adjusting strategy in response to new evidence, courtroom dynamics, or unexpected developments; Analyzing complex information to identify alternative solutions under tight deadlines; Maintaining productivity and composure when facing shifting workloads or changing legal requirements.

Team Cohesion and Communication: Collaborating effectively with attorneys, investigators, social workers, and administrative staff; Communicating clearly with diverse stakeholders, including clients, judges, law enforcement, and partner agencies; Encouraging shared goals, mutual support, and knowledge exchange within a legal team.

Safety and Risk Awareness: Identifying risks related to client welfare, case outcomes, confidentiality, and courtroom conduct; Exercising sound judgment when assessing threats to personal safety in client interactions or fieldwork; Maintaining strict awareness of ethical guidelines and legal risk exposure.

Technical and Equipment Proficiency: Using case-management software, legal research platforms, and digital evidence tools efficiently; Working with courtroom technology such as presentation systems, document scanners, and secure evidence portals; Applying procedural knowledge of court systems, filing requirements, and electronic records management.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analyses to determine necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of negotiation. Performs such in formal situations within the context of legal guidelines.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.