Lead Attorney & Unit Chief (State Appellate Public Defender)
Posting Begin Date: 2025/12/10
Posting End Date: 2026/06/10
Work Type: Full Time
Location: Boise, ID, United States
Minimum Salary: 58.00
Maximum Salary: 70.00
Pay Rate Type: Hourly
Description
State of Idaho Opportunity
Lead Counsel & Unit Chief
Capital Litigation Unit
Idaho State Appellate Public Defender (SAPD)
Boise, Idaho
Full-time (40 hours)
$58 - $70 hourly ($120,640 - $145,600 annually)
The Office of the State Appellate Public Defender seeks an experienced capital defense attorney to join its Capital Litigation Unit in either a Lead Counselora Lead Counsel/Unit Chief role. (The precise position will depend on the applicant's skills, experience, and interests.) The SAPD's Capital Litigation Unit (CLU) represents indigent clients who have been sentenced to death. The CLU handles both post-conviction proceedings in the trial court and appeals before the Idaho Supreme Court.
Regardless of the role filled, the successful applicant will provide zealous representation to indigent defendants who have been sentenced to death. The SAPD seeks a highly skilled, experienced capital attorney who is deeply committed to being part of a client-centered defense team, who will advocate with integrity on behalf of death-sentenced clients, and who will fight tenaciously for clients' Constitutional and statutory rights.
SCOPE OF WORK
Lead Counsel in the Capital Litigation Unit oversees team representation of capital clients. Each team is composed of a lead attorney, at least one deputy attorney, a fact investigator, and a mitigation specialist. The team represents indigent capital clients throughout the post-conviction proceedings in district court. If post-conviction proceedings are unsuccessful, the team represents the client in a unified direct/post-conviction appeal.
Primary responsibilities for the Lead Counsel position include, but are not limited to:
Developing and maintaining healthy, productive client relationships characterized by mutual trust and good communication.
Directing and overseeing the substantive and procedural aspects of each case.
Directing the course of the mitigation and fact investigations in each case.
Working collaboratively with other team members to develop cohesive post-conviction strategies.
Leading efforts to identify and draft post-conviction claims.
Leading efforts to identify and draft appellate claims.
Identifying and vetting expert and lay witnesses.
Conducting evidentiary hearings in the trial courts and presenting oral arguments in the Idaho Supreme Court.
Maintaining the team's focus on the best interests of clients and ensuring the team's ongoing loyalty to former clients by facilitating the work of any successor counsel.
Supervising and mentoring other team members.
Traveling to courts, correctional institutions, and other locations within and outside the State of Idaho to attend court hearings and/or oral arguments, visit incarcerated clients, and conduct investigations.
Unit Chief in the Capital Litigation Unit oversees the CLU as a whole. When fully staffed, the CLU consists of two lead attorneys, two deputy attorneys, one investigator, one mitigation specialist, and one administrative assistant. The Unit Chief will have primary responsibility for ensuring the smooth operation and continued improvement of the entire CLU.
In addition to fulfilling all the responsibilities of a Lead Attorney, the Unit Chief will also have the following responsibilities:
Making staffing decisions for capital cases.
Monitoring and, if needed, adjusting, attorney and staff workloads to ensure tasks are completed in a timely and professional manner without employees becoming overloaded.
Leading efforts to hire and train new CLU staff.
Mentoring and supervising all CLU staff.
Effectively managing any personnel issues that may arise within the CLU.
Crafting cost estimates for expert witnesses, investigations, and litigation support services, and working with the SAPD Director to make sound financial decisions that allow the CLU to advocate for its clients in a cost-effective manner.
Advising and assisting the SAPD Director on agency-wide issues.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO:
Are committed to providing client-centered representation.
Have empathy and compassion for capital clients and are dedicated to advocacy on their behalf.
Are comfortable working with individuals (including clients, their families, prosecutors, investigators, judges, experts, fact witnesses, and members of the public) from diverse backgrounds and having diverse perspectives on capital defense issues.
Have excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
Are detailed and able to exercise sound professional judgment.
Have trial and appellate experience.
Have familiarity with civil procedure and the post-conviction process.
Can manage an active caseload of multiple capital cases in various stages of proceedings.
Can lead a small team of professionals on individual cases and/or manage an entire Capital Litigation Unit.
Are committed to following the ABA Guidelines forthe Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Casesand theSupplementary Guidelines for the Mitigation Function of Defense Teams in Death Penalty Cases, as the minimum standard for quality representation.
WHY JOIN THE SAPD?
In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, the SAPD offers its employees excellent benefits, including generous leave policies and sufficient flexibility for employees to enjoy a healthy work-life balance. Below are some of the benefits:
Nation's leading public employee pension plan - PERSI
Excellent low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance
Eleven paid holidays
Paid vacation leave
Paid sick leave
Paid parental leave
Flexible work schedules and a partial telework opportunity
401K and deferred compensation plan
Life/Disability/Supplemental life insurance Employee assistance program
Flexible spending accounts
Wellness programs
Paid annual renewal fees for Idaho State Bar
The State of Idaho offers a robust compensation package, for a summary of benefits click here (https://dhr.idaho.gov/information-for-state-employees/) .
The State Appellate Public Defender is a qualifying employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
WHY BOISE, IDAHO?
Boise, Idaho consistently ranks high in quality of life and offers a balance of urban amenities and outdoor activities. The city has a vibrant culture with music festivals and a growing food scene. Recreational opportunities such as fly-fishing, biking, skiing, kayaking, and hiking are all within close proximity. The Boise Greenbelt, a 25-mile-long path along the Boise River, is a favorite for walking, running and biking. Known for its friendly and welcoming community, Boise is a great place to start a new chapter in life.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?
If you are ready to join the team, please submit (1) acover letter, (2) aresume with references, and (3)two writing samples. Applicants whose law school graduation is within three years of the application must also submit copies of their law school transcripts (unofficial transcripts will be accepted). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
To accept this position, you must:
Possess a J.D. from an accredited law school.
Be admitted, or seeking admission, to the Idaho State Bar.
Maintain a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation.
Be able to travel within and outside the State of Idaho.
For inquires about this position, please contact Elizabeth Todd, Office Administrator, at (208) 334-2712 or [email protected] .
EEO/ADA/Veteran:
The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. Discrimination based on veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws, is prohibited.
The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected] .
Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.
