Appellate Attorney; Attorney III

Appellate Attorney (Attorney III) 4655-47

Final date to receive applications:
January 30, 2026

Work Location:

Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office
230 East 9th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Work Hours:

1st Shift

Starting Salary – Pay Grade 24: $42.20 to $59.08 hourly (Salary commensurate with background and experience). Please submit a writing sample, preferably an appellate brief, with your application materials.

• Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to R.C. 4705.01
• Completion of 24 credit hours of continuing legal education from accredited programs for applicable two‑year reporting period pursuant to Rule X of Rules of Government of Bar of Ohio
• Current certificate of registration in good standing pursuant to Rule VII of Rules of Government of Bar of Ohio
• Two years experience as attorney in Ohio or equivalent experience
• Appellate background preferred

Under general supervision and direction from the Appellate Division Director, conduct legal research; provide legal advice to staff attorneys and consult with other attorneys in the division regarding their cases; draft briefs and other appellate documents; and represent clients in the First District Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Ohio, and the Supreme Court of the United States, when necessary.

Provide zealous, client-centered representation.

• Conduct legal research and draft memorandums for staff attorneys’ requests for research
• Draft notices of appeal, docketing statements, appellate-level motions, and other miscellaneous documents for the court of appeals
• Draft merit briefs, amicus briefs, memoranda in support of jurisdiction, and merit briefs in the Ohio Supreme Court, and Petitions for Cert. in the U.S. Supreme Court when required
• Prepare for and present oral arguments in the First District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court
• Research and draft extraordinary writs when required
• Consult with and advise staff attorneys; participate in training and seminars; attend meetings, round tables, case consultations, practice moots; attend seminars and may present at same
• Maintain an ongoing, updated knowledge of criminal law, legislative activities, and current policing, including significant court decisions. Inform staff of such decisions

• Criminal and appellate law (procedural & substantive)
• Ohio and federal court systems
• Legal research methods
• Legal writing
• Federal and state regulations specific to assigned program
• Agency policies and procedures
• Legal or quasi-legal proceedings
• Supervision
• Employee training and development
• Spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Internet protocols
• Case management

• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong research and writing skills
• Excellent calendaring system
• Ability to effectively communicate with clients
• Working knowledge of substantive legal issues regularly addressed by attorneys in the area of criminal law, both felonies and misdemeanors
• Ability to handle multiple tasks to meet deadlines

• Deal with large number of variables and determine specific course of action
• Organize and interpret extensive variety of legal material in books, journals, or legal documents
• Communicate verbally and in writing regarding legal issues
• Handle sensitive contacts with government officials, adverse parties, and the general public
• Deliver speeches
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with paralegals, staff, attorneys, and court personnel
• Maintain accurate records, document files, and calendars
• Collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Proofread materials, identify errors, and make corrections
• Work independently
• Perform accurate work on time
• Maintain a wide range of documentation in an easily accessed filing system
• Handle documents of a sensitive or confidential nature