Trial Attorney

Position Description

Trial Attorney

Public Defender Services of Lane County

Public Defender Services of Lane County is hiring a trial attorney. Join the 33 lawyers at PDSLC as we defend our clients and protect their constitutional rights against State overreach. We welcome applicants who are already felony‑qualified, but we are proud of our training and mentorship and can meet you where you are if you are the right fit for this office. Preference will be given to attorneys who are barred in Oregon or who can transfer immediately under Oregon’s comity rules.

Job Responsibilities

Our attorneys are fighters, thinkers, and doers. They know when to challenge bad faith arguments and when to let silence speak for itself. Most importantly, they are committed to their clients and fight to redeem those whom society has written off.

Attorneys in our office generally carry 10 to 25 new cases a month. We have a mix of misdemeanor, minor felony, and major felony‑qualified attorneys, with experience levels ranging from court‑certified law students to attorneys with decades of practice.

Our attorneys are the first person a client sees in the jail and are responsible for the case from appointment through resolution, including referrals for appeal and correcting sentencing issues. They are tireless advocates in and out of the courtroom, skilled communicators with clients, and consummate professionals in their dealings with the courts, opposing counsel, and all others in the criminal justice system. They thrive in a large office supported by legal assistants, secretaries, and licensed private investigators.

Applicants must be members of the Oregon State Bar in good standing or otherwise qualified as described above. PDSLC is committed to advancing equity and diversity in our workplace, in our hiring, and in the way we represent our clients. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented groups.

Compensation And Benefits

We offer a strong benefits package that includes employer‑covered health, dental, and vision insurance, three weeks of vacation, paid sick and personal time, disability insurance, life insurance, and a generous retirement plan. We are also a dog‑friendly, mission‑driven office.

Pay Ranges

Misdemeanor qualified: $78,610 to $86,667

Minor to major felony qualified: $89,528 to $119,976

Murder qualified: $125,974 to $153,123

To apply, please contact Executive Director Caitlin Plummer at ***email_hidden***. Include a resume and cover letter. References may be included but will not be contacted without your permission. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Training and Onboarding

For misdemeanor attorneys, there is no caseload for the first two weeks, followed by three new cases per week during training. Attorneys of all experience levels join a team of five to seven colleagues who work collaboratively to improve client outcomes and support professional growth. Early trials are second‑chaired with another attorney. This approach has improved client outcomes, reduced turnover, and strengthened our office culture. We are committed to building a sustainable career path for public defenders and keeping the focus on our clients.

About Public Defender Services Of Lane County

Public Defender Services of Lane County is a private nonprofit organization committed to defending the rights of people facing a loss of liberty due to the actions of the state. We represent adults and juveniles charged with offenses ranging from trespass to serious felonies. We also represent clients in probation violations, contempt proceedings, termination of parental rights cases, and civil commitment matters.

Our office has been a nonprofit public defender since 1977. Staff benefit from mentorship by attorneys with decades of experience as well as new perspectives from newer members of our team. We qualify for public interest loan forgiveness, subject to federal program rules. We offer excellent benefits, a supportive environment, and the satisfaction of fighting the good fight and standing with people when they need it most.

We strive to put our clients first and zealously pursue their best interests, whether they are facing a single charge of criminal trespass or multiple allegations of violent felonies.

Our Mission

We treat our clients with dignity, empower them to make informed choices, and fight to defend their rights.

Our Goals

Deliver outstanding legal services

Uphold the presumption of innocence

Deal ethically with clients, witnesses, the courts, and all representatives of the criminal justice system

Lead by example in the criminal justice community

Provide a supportive environment where employees and clients are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, economic or cultural background, religion, age, or disability