What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mitigation Specialist - Columbus position at National Legal Aid & Defender Association?
Position Description
MITIGATION SPECIALIST – COLUMBUS TRIAL UNIT
Position Announcement 26-006
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Ohio is accepting applications for the position of Mitigation Specialist in our Columbus office.
The Mitigation Specialist will assist attorneys representing indigent clients accused in federal court by investigating, analyzing, developing, and presenting mitigation evidence. This work is crucial to pre-trial release plans, trial strategy, plea negotiations, sentencing outcomes, and reentry plans. The Mitigation Specialist will form close relationships with our clients and their families. They will create social and medical histories by collecting and reviewing records and by conducting interviews with anyone with relevant knowledge about the client’s early childhood development, education, employment, medical, and mental health history. The Mitigation Specialist will also identify necessary experts and locate, vet, and consult with them. The mitigation specialist will be expected to locate, develop and maintain relationships with local social service providers, pretrial service officers, and other community organizations that provide services or resources. They will prepare memos and reports for use in litigation and sentencing. They will also testify at sentencings, bail hearings, and other court proceedings.
About Us
The Federal Public Defender, a branch of the U.S. Courts, operates under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. 3006A, to provide defense services to indigent persons in federal criminal cases and related matters in the federal courts.
The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Ohio provides the highest quality legal representation in criminal cases to persons who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Through our Trial and Appellate Units, we represent people who have been accused of federal criminal offenses from the onset of their case, through the trial and appellate phases. Through our Capital Habeas Unit, we represent people sentenced to death in Ohio and around the country, through state and federal courts and all subsequent proceedings.
We utilize teams with interdisciplinary skill sets that ensure compassionate and comprehensive representation. We are attorneys, paralegals, investigators, office administrators, and information technology specialists who prioritize centering our representation around our clients and their needs.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSE TEAMS
Representation is better when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. We seek team members who share that belief and commitment. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to the office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences. We are interested in applicants’ talent, intelligence, dedication, and persistence, and desire to see that all people are treated fairly and respectfully – no matter the allegation or circumstance. The FPD seeks applications from a diverse group of qualified individuals in terms of race, ethnicity, nation of origin, culture, sex, gender identity and
expression, sexual identity, education, opinions, age, languages spoken, veteran status, disability, religion, and socioeconomic circumstance. We especially encourage applications from people who have been affected by the criminal legal system, and people from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
MITIGATION SPECIALIST – COLUMBUS TRIAL UNIT
Position Announcement 26-006
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Ohio is accepting applications for the position of Mitigation Specialist in our Columbus office.
The Mitigation Specialist will assist attorneys representing indigent clients accused in federal court by investigating, analyzing, developing, and presenting mitigation evidence. This work is crucial to pre-trial release plans, trial strategy, plea negotiations, sentencing outcomes, and reentry plans. The Mitigation Specialist will form close relationships with our clients and their families. They will create social and medical histories by collecting and reviewing records and by conducting interviews with anyone with relevant knowledge about the client’s early childhood development, education, employment, medical, and mental health history. The Mitigation Specialist will also identify necessary experts and locate, vet, and consult with them. The mitigation specialist will be expected to locate, develop and maintain relationships with local social service providers, pretrial service officers, and other community organizations that provide services or resources. They will prepare memos and reports for use in litigation and sentencing. They will also testify at sentencings, bail hearings, and other court proceedings.
About Us
The Federal Public Defender, a branch of the U.S. Courts, operates under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. 3006A, to provide defense services to indigent persons in federal criminal cases and related matters in the federal courts.
The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Ohio provides the highest quality legal representation in criminal cases to persons who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Through our Trial and Appellate Units, we represent people who have been accused of federal criminal offenses from the onset of their case, through the trial and appellate phases. Through our Capital Habeas Unit, we represent people sentenced to death in Ohio and around the country, through state and federal courts and all subsequent proceedings.
We utilize teams with interdisciplinary skill sets that ensure compassionate and comprehensive representation. We are attorneys, paralegals, investigators, office administrators, and information technology specialists who prioritize centering our representation around our clients and their needs.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSE TEAMS
Representation is better when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. We seek team members who share that belief and commitment. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to the office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences. We are interested in applicants’ talent, intelligence, dedication, and persistence, and desire to see that all people are treated fairly and respectfully – no matter the allegation or circumstance. The FPD seeks applications from a diverse group of qualified individuals in terms of race, ethnicity, nation of origin, culture, sex, gender identity and
expression, sexual identity, education, opinions, age, languages spoken, veteran status, disability, religion, and socioeconomic circumstance. We especially encourage applications from people who have been affected by the criminal legal system, and people from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.