Appellate Attorney

Position Description

Salary: Minimum $80,000.00-$98,000.00 (Commensurate with Experience) and benefits including paid vacation, sick time, life insurance, dental, vision, medical, and retirement 401(k). Employees are not eligible for participation in the OPERS retirement system but do qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This is an exempt, at-will position.

Responsibilities

• Represent indigent defendants in their direct appeal before the Ninth District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court.
• Assist staff attorneys on legal issues at the trial court-level.
• Respond to requests for legal assistance from individuals with criminal issues who contact the SLD.
• Draft and argue objections to magistrate’s decisions and motions to set aside magistrate’s orders.
• Research and draft extraordinary writs when required, including but not limited to writs of habeas corpus related to excessive bond.
• Maintain an ongoing knowledge of juvenile and criminal law, legislative activities, current policing and prosecuting procedures and other justice activities, including significant court decisions, and regularly updates staff regarding same.
• Participate in training and seminars and may present at same.
• Attend meetings, round tables, case consultations, and practice moots.
• Participate in community events and meetings related to the work of SLD.
• Perform all other duties assigned, delegated or required of the Appellate Attorney.
• The Appellate Attorney reports to the Director of the Summit Legal Defender, or to the appropriate Managing Attorney, as assigned.
• The outside practice of law is not permitted.
  
  

The Summit Legal Defenders’ mission is to treat every client as an individual, not the sum of their charges. We envision our work within the context of social justice and the opportunity for growth and change. Our attorneys work to offer solutions to problems and navigate the criminal justice system in partnership with the client. Our goal is to provide high-quality legal service to the indigent population of Summit County in a respectful, diligent, and responsive manner.

We are a non-profit agency established in 1974 and our main office is located in downtown Akron, Ohio, led by Director Andrea Whitaker.