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Should I Have Started Looking Sooner?
I've just searched for public defender jobs in Michigan, Illinois, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and the Dakotas on PSLawNet, Law Crossing, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, GW's job bank, the University of Michigan Law School Job Net and a few other places, and guess what? There is a total of one advertised opening—in Rockford, Illinois. Damn. This job thing is going to be harder than I thought.
Ok, maybe it's not that bad. I just applied for an opening in Montana, although I fear they're going to want someone before this time next year, which is when I will have (fingers crossed) passed the bar. Also, big places like Chicago and Milwaukee (and maybe Detroit?) have rolling applications for public defenders, so I can do those. Still, is now the time for this? Have I missed the window or has it not even opened?
I've complained about this before (sorry!), but I just don't know how to do a public defender job search. I understand that most public defender offices probably don't pay much attention to national job listing websites and only advertise openings locally, but I've checked state bar employment pages as well—still nada. Should I just start sending resumes and cover letters to offices where I'd like to work? Or is there some other strategy I should consider? Maybe I should talk to a career counselor at GW.... Nah, that would be silly!
Posted December 20, 2005 08:34 AM | 3L
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You should send resumes and cover letters to any office you are interested in as well as those you aren't. It might also be helpful to get a letter of recommendation from a prof or an employer in the field, to give you an extra edge. You might also waht to start sending letters to criminal defense firms.
Posted by: DL at December 20, 2005 09:07 AM
Rockford? Yipes. :)
Posted by: Dave! at December 20, 2005 11:36 AM
You should send cover letters and resumes to agencies where you want to work. Most of the state agencies and the big city ones, too, have rolling hiring policies. Alot of them have that info on their websites, but call if it doesn't have the particular person that you should address the cover letter to. I sent out about 7 last week, and have gotten several responses already.
Also, definitely check with the Career Services people. They may be useless, but you never know until you ask.
Posted by: monica at December 20, 2005 11:56 AM
Double yipes. There are worse places than Rockford, but I don't think it's really your cup of tea. :)
I will try not to be offended by your looking for jobs in all states surrounding mine (OK, but KY) that are not actually mine. Hee. (Sometimes I'm disgusted to live here, too.)
Posted by: raquel at December 20, 2005 04:50 PM
Yeah, I think the best way to do it is to just call or mail your resume to everywhere in your targeted geographic location.
Posted by: womanofthelaw at December 20, 2005 07:27 PM
I agree with DL and WOTL with mailing out cover letters / resumes to places you're interested in working. That's how I got my current job. Wasn't advertised anywhere!
..also, I know a few places down in Jawja hiring.
Posted by: Audacity at December 20, 2005 08:03 PM
Good suggestions all. Get the contact name of the hiring person at each office by contacting that state's NACDL or NLADA affiliate, or by just cold-calling the office you're interested in and asking the receptionist.
Other sources are various state or county human resource sites. I know they're hiring in North Dakota right now.
It helps to get the basics straight: I once got an application addressed to Twin Falls County Public Defender, Idaho Falls, ID (about 150 miles away). I hired her anyhow.
Posted by: Skelly at December 20, 2005 09:58 PM
Most of them do not advertise because they don't need to; they receive enough resumes or prospects at public interest job fairs that they don't have to. So just start sendin' em out, ideally with a writing sample and any letters of reference you already have.
Posted by: ash at December 21, 2005 12:12 AM
OK, this is coming from ZERO experience finding public defender jobs, but working as a "personal coach" finding software engineering jobs for people for a few extra bucks while I was working as an engineer. I "think" this advice carries over, but of course take it with a grain of salt since it comes from another type of job search. BUT, I had virtually 100% success in my employment coaching even during the "hard times" in the software industry.
a) get REALLY comfortable with flat out saying "I'm looking for a job". This may sound like silly advice, but its really important that you get it out there, right off the bat.
b) the jobs you want pretty much ONLY come from personal contacts. Those contacts don't necessarily need to be friends, but if you look (you're not internet 'unsavvy') you can find the contacts within the PD offices you want to work with (think of it just like legal research, dig deep, find the contacts), and don't be afraid to cold call/cold email.
I am pretty sure that most PD departments don't have the resources to really reach out beyond possible the CPD offices at the law schools they have contacts with, so its going to be about going out and making those contacts.
In any case, sorry if that's redundant, or "too obvious" but it's what I have found has worked for me for 10 years in the software industry, and for all of my clients while I was doing that. I've got to assume it is the same searchign for PD jobs (and I'll be there soon enough) Good luck man, it's out there, it's up to you to find it ;)
Posted by: Chris at December 21, 2005 05:15 PM
I also think you should talk to the lawyers you worked for at the PD's office and ask them for advice. They may help you make the right contacts by recommending you to people they know. Worst case scenario, you'll have gotten some advice from someone who was successful in finding the type of job you want. But the most important thing is to stop thinking about it and being intimidated by the situation and just start doing it.
Posted by: DL at December 21, 2005 07:41 PM
Miami, LA and San Francisco are all hiring, but you need to already be barred in the state- at least for SF....Good luck!
Posted by: PD at December 26, 2005 10:16 PM
I have no advice to give you except this whole process made me cry like a little girl over and overa gain. Hang in there.
Posted by: Melissa at December 27, 2005 11:35 PM
