What are the responsibilities and job description for the DEPUTY DIVISIONAL COUNSEL WESTERN DIVISION - 79784 position at State of Tennessee?
Executive Service
DEPUTY DIVISIONAL COUNSEL WESTERN DIVISION Office of the Appointed Counsel Commission - TN Supreme Court West TN Annual Salary $150,900.00 - $178,800.00 This position is designated as hybrid. Closing Date: 08/16/2026
Background Check
This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.
Who We Are And What We Do
Led by the Executive Director, the ACC will assume responsibility for appointing lawyers for indigent representation in criminal cases where the office of the district public defender has a conflict and in child welfare cases. The ACC will employ full-time and/or part-time employees, including attorneys, in each grand division to implement and oversee the program. The program will institute various contractual arrangements with private attorneys to provide representation.
Job Overview
This role will coordinate and communicate with court system staff regarding dockets and cases in the Western Grand Division. When the ACC is designated to provide counsel in a pending matter, the Divisional Counsel/Deputy Divisional Counsel will assign or supervise/approve the assignment process of appointed counsel. The person in this role will communicate with appointed counsel, serve as a resource and mentor as appropriate, provide initial approval of investigators, experts, and support services within the policies set out by the ACC, supervise support staff, provide general oversight for the western grand division office and serve as the first level response to concerns or questions of parties who are represented by counsel provided by the Office.
Minimum Qualifications
The successful applicant must be an attorney licensed in Tennessee with at least ten (10) years of experience as a practicing attorney. The majority of the applicant's practice must be as a criminal defense attorney, public defender, guardian ad litem, or representing parents in child welfare cases. The successful applicant must have first chair trial experience and completion of significant Continuing Legal Education in criminal law and/or child welfare cases. Demonstrated strong communication, the ability to build and manage teams, and strategic planning skills are required.
Pursuant to the State of Tennessee¿s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State¿s policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person¿s race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran¿s status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.
DEPUTY DIVISIONAL COUNSEL WESTERN DIVISION Office of the Appointed Counsel Commission - TN Supreme Court West TN Annual Salary $150,900.00 - $178,800.00 This position is designated as hybrid. Closing Date: 08/16/2026
Background Check
This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.
Who We Are And What We Do
Led by the Executive Director, the ACC will assume responsibility for appointing lawyers for indigent representation in criminal cases where the office of the district public defender has a conflict and in child welfare cases. The ACC will employ full-time and/or part-time employees, including attorneys, in each grand division to implement and oversee the program. The program will institute various contractual arrangements with private attorneys to provide representation.
Job Overview
- The Office of Appointed Counsel Commission (ACC) is seeking a qualified attorney for the position of Divisional Counsel or Deputy Divisional Counsel for the Western Division who will assist in establishing and providing leadership for an office in the Shelby County area.
- This position will initially assist the Executive Director in the implementation of the new structure for delivery of indigent services in Tennessee and establishing the ACC. During the implementation period, this role may also include providing legal support for the Indigent Services Team, formerly under the Administrative Office of the Courts.
- Divisional Counsel/Deputy Divisional Counsel will maintain a limited caseload in the Western Grand Division in criminal defense and/or child welfare cases[RH1.1][JB1.2]. Reporting to the Executive Director.
This role will coordinate and communicate with court system staff regarding dockets and cases in the Western Grand Division. When the ACC is designated to provide counsel in a pending matter, the Divisional Counsel/Deputy Divisional Counsel will assign or supervise/approve the assignment process of appointed counsel. The person in this role will communicate with appointed counsel, serve as a resource and mentor as appropriate, provide initial approval of investigators, experts, and support services within the policies set out by the ACC, supervise support staff, provide general oversight for the western grand division office and serve as the first level response to concerns or questions of parties who are represented by counsel provided by the Office.
Minimum Qualifications
The successful applicant must be an attorney licensed in Tennessee with at least ten (10) years of experience as a practicing attorney. The majority of the applicant's practice must be as a criminal defense attorney, public defender, guardian ad litem, or representing parents in child welfare cases. The successful applicant must have first chair trial experience and completion of significant Continuing Legal Education in criminal law and/or child welfare cases. Demonstrated strong communication, the ability to build and manage teams, and strategic planning skills are required.
Pursuant to the State of Tennessee¿s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State¿s policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person¿s race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran¿s status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.
Salary : $150,900 - $178,800