Assistant Public Defender

State of North Carolina

Assistant Public Defender representing indigent clients in DWI, criminal, and juvenile matters across North Carolina’s District 43. Litigating cases, researching law, and conducting investigations and outreach.

Posted 8/11/2026full-timeNorth Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $56,000 - $104,338 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in legal representation, particularly in DWI and criminal defense cases, with strong capabilities in legal research, litigation strategy development, and courtroom advocacy. Proficient in maintaining professional relationships while engaging in community service and outreach initiatives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Juris Doctor DegreeActive North Carolina Law LicenseLegal Research SkillsCourtroom Litigation SkillsKnowledge of North Carolina General Statutes

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Litigation Strategy DevelopmentWitness ExaminationOpening StatementsClosing ArgumentsEvidentiary ObjectionsLegal ResearchKnowledge of Federal LawKnowledge of State LawKnowledge of Judicial ProceduresKnowledge of Common Law

Soft Skills

Strong Communication SkillsOrganizational SkillsInterviewing Skills

Certifications & Qualifications

Active North Carolina Driver's License

Industry Keywords

Indigent DefenseDWI CasesCriminal DefenseCommunity ServiceOutreach Programs

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as an Assistant Public Defender in District 43
Represent clients in DWI cases, including complicated impaired driving cases
Cover treatment court and other initiatives serving the community
Handle difficult cases and clients while maintaining professional relationships with co-workers, clients, and the public
Visit clients in jail and prison facilities
Travel outside the office to conduct investigative procedures
Advocate for clients and provide indigent defense
Engage in community service and participate in relevant outreach and volunteer programs, including evening and weekend programs
Litigate cases in the courtroom
Conduct legal research
Plan, develop, and execute litigation strategies
Prepare, organize, and conduct witness examinations
Deliver opening statements and closing arguments
Make evidentiary objections
Explain complex legal concepts and related facts clearly and concisely

Requirements

What you’ll need

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school
Active license to practice law in North Carolina
Applicants awaiting NC Bar Licensure will be considered
Must have a valid North Carolina Driver's License
Knowledge of federal, state, common, and constitutional law
Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence
Knowledge of case, statutory, regulatory, and common law
Knowledge of North Carolina General Statutes for defending criminal and juvenile cases
Legal research knowledge
Strong communication skills for courtroom litigation
Exceptional legal research and writing skills
Interviewing and organizational skills
Ability to analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related documents and apply applicable law
Ability to conduct legal research
Ability to develop and execute effective litigation strategies
Ability to conduct witness examinations, opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections
Criminal district and/or criminal superior court trial experience is helpful but not required
Must complete a fully completed online application; résumés are not accepted in lieu of the application
Cover letter and résumé must be attached

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Work environment free from unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation
Reasonable accommodation for employees and applicants with disabilities
Reasonable accommodation related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions
Reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs, observances, and practices