Client Advocate

Public Defender Client Advocate

Colorado's Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) maintains a reputation as one of the top organizations in the nation specializing in the delivery of indigent criminal defense. We operate as an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government with nearly 1,000 dedicated employees assigned to twenty-one Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office. The mission of OSPD is to defend and protect the rights, liberties and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel. We seek to hire professionals who are dedicated to furthering our mission and demonstrate compassion in their service to our clients. We are a fast paced, team-oriented environment, where self-motivation and a personal commitment to high performance are important attributes for success.

This classification describes the entry level professional responsible for performing duties to support clients. Advocates will support public defender clients throughout the legal process, helping to identify client priorities, connect clients with community social services, and assess and alleviate potential enmeshed penalties of legal system contact. All employees are expected to actively contribute to a workplace culture that values and respects diversity. This includes engaging respectfully with colleagues, participating in DEIB initiatives, and supporting programs that promote equity and positive impact within the organization and the communities we serve.

Public Defender Client Advocates serve as part of the defense team, and as such, are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding the attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality. Client Advocates perform duties and assume responsibility for case assignments under the specific direction, instruction and guidance of a defense attorney.

Primary duties and responsibilities include:

• Conduct client interviews and build relationships with clients to understand their priorities, identify potential enmeshed penalties of arrest, and assess barriers to the client accessing desired services.
• Refer clients, based on their priorities, to community programs and social services such as housing, employment, social and medical benefits, and treatment.
• Identify potential civil, family, and immigration legal needs with a nexus to the client's criminal case and refer clients to legal partners for consultation and representation.
• Build partnerships with local community organizations and government agencies to maintain knowledge about available services and facilitate access for clients.
• Develop and maintain a resource guide of available social and legal services in the local community and in the county more broadly.
• Advocate for clients by engaging with service providers, landlords, employers, and others, conveying clients' stories and needs in a compelling way that gets results.
• In coordination with attorneys, write persuasive narratives and recommendations to be used in court proceedings.
• Coordinate with legal and social service teams to facilitate collaboration and communication on client cases.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of court processes and requirements; share information with clients and their families about the criminal legal process and assist clients in overcoming barriers to meeting court requirements.
• Collect and report data about your work and achievements.
• Case advocates work directly to help meet housing, employment, educational, health and mental health needs for clients.
• Connect with clients to learn more about the problems they are facing and their goals.
• Depending on your clients' needs, creatively assist with issues like clearing past criminal convictions, preparing for child services interventions, accessing public benefits, maintaining work licenses, finding and maintaining housing, and obtaining mental health counseling or substance use treatment.
• Partner closely with attorneys to provide relevant information and documents for clients' criminal cases and other legal issues
• Build a network of local services, community organizations, and civil attorneys so that you can appropriately refer and advocate for clients.
• Use your detailed knowledge of court processes and requirements to help your clients navigate these institutions
• Advocate for clients with service providers, attorneys, judges, landlords, employers, and others, telling your clients' stories in a compelling way that gets results
• Collaborate with your teammates to share knowledge, brainstorm solutions, and build a community.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned. ( non-essential )