Associate Deputy Public Defender

What We Offer

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The starting pay range is $ - $ a year based on your experience.

• A guaranteed life‑long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 132 hours of PTO earned within first year
• 11 Paid Holidays per year, plus 1 personal holiday, and 8 hours of Denver Good Deeds volunteer time
• Education Refund Program (ERP) – a chance for the city to support your continued learning and career growth by investing in your future with the city
• Care Bank – 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave (after the probation period is passed)
• Free RTD Eco Pass
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

In this position you will work on site at the Office of the Municipal Public Defender, at: 710 W Colfax, Denver CO 80204. This position will be 100% onsite from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM with flexible work hours as needed.

The Office of the Municipal Public Defender has been in existence since January 1, 2015, and is overseen by the City’s Chief Municipal Public Defender. This office ensures that persons accused of municipal ordinance violations receive premier representation and we exist to protect the lives and dignity of those who are indigent. The Municipal Public Defender’s Office provides skilled, zealous, and holistic support to clients accused of crimes in Denver Municipal Court who are facing the possibility of jail for traffic offenses, municipal ordinance violations, and specialty courts.

We also represent youth who are charged with municipal violations.

• Serving as a team lead or mentor to less experienced and newly hired public defender staff, and modeling best practices within the Municipal Public Defender’s Office
• Representing defendants in municipal ordinance and traffic cases of increasing complexity, and participating on problem‑solving court teams
• Providing legal representation, advice and consultation to defendants assigned to the Municipal Public Defender’s Office including representing in all phases of litigation from arraignment, through plea negotiation to trial and appeals
• Preparing pleadings and documents, motions, and orders
• Performing legal research and writing appeals
• Interviewing clients in court, in the office, and in detention facilities to gather information in preparation for pretrial motions and trial
• Litigating all manner of motions, including constitutional issues, evidentiary issues, and procedural issues
• Performing other duties as assigned

• A license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court
• A strong passion for public defense and a desire to be a litigator
• Minimum of three years of courtroom litigation experience with first chair jury trial experience
• Experience with in the Denver County Court System
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities
• Experience working with indigent populations

• Education requirement:
  Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree
• Experience requirement:
  Two (2) years practicing criminal law
• Education & Experience Equivalency:
  No substitution of experience for education is permitted
• Licensure & Certification:
  Possession of a license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire in accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, 203.3, 203.4 and 205.6. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment. Requires valid driver’s license at the time of application or the ability to obtain transportation to jail or prison facilities in surrounding area.

• Resume – required
• Cover letter – required

This position is expected to stay open until Sunday, February 1, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than February 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

• Position Type:
  Unlimited
• Position Salary Range: $ – $
• Target Pay: $ – $ yearly, based on education and experience
• Agency:
  Office of Municipal Public Defender
• Redeployment during…