Initial Posting Date:

06/18/2026

Application Deadline:

06/30/2026

Agency:

Oregon Public Defense Commission

Salary Range:

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Early Resolution Docket Attorney (Deputy Defender)

Job Description:

Early Resolution Docket Attorney (Deputy Defender)

At the Oregon Public Defense Commission, we are committed to fostering a workplace that values integrity, excellence, innovation, accountability, and equity. We seek talented professionals who are passionate about public service and advancing access to justice for all Oregonians.

• This announcement is for 1, permanent, full time, ERD Attorney (Deputy Defender) and will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.  

• This is a hybrid position with flexible remote options.

Location: Salem, Oregon 

Monthly Salary Range: $9,063 - $12,095

About the Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC)

The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is an agency governed by a 13-member commission appointed by the Governor, which serves as the governing body for Oregon’s public defense system. The Commission provides policy direction and oversight for the administration of the system. The legal services provided by OPDC represent an essential component of Oregon’s public safety system.

OPDC negotiates contracts with trial-level public defense providers and administers and distributes funds for representation and related services for cases during the biennium for criminal, juvenile, and civil commitment cases. The Agency provides compliance and oversight to the trial community providers through quality assurance practices, training, and education. Financial Services processes all expenses related to representation in public defense cases. The Appellate Division provides direct legal representation in the state appellate courts in criminal cases, juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases, and parole cases. Other services in the Agency include Data Collection and Analysis, General Counsel, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Internal Audit, and Policy Development.      

OPDC is dedicated to ensuring high-quality legal representation for individuals who are constitutionally entitled to counsel. OPDC works to strengthen Oregon's public defense system through direct representation, statewide coordination, oversight, policy development, and collaboration with justice system partners.

What You’ll Do

As the ERD Attorney, you will provide high-quality legal representation to indigent clients with a primary focus on early resolution dockets and related proceedings. You will manage a caseload concentrated in early resolution matters, including county-specific early resolution programs, working to resolve cases at the earliest appropriate stage.

Key responsibilities include:

• Interview and communicate with clients;

• Early resolution representation and advocacy;

• Legal research and writing;

• Discovery review;

• Dispositional and/or sentencing advocacy and post-trial motions, excluding appeals;

• Contested hearings, jury trials, and bench trials of criminal cases;

• Other duties as assigned.

This position works closely with prosecutors, codefendants’ attorneys, clients’ prior and other attorneys, judges, trial court administrators, court staff, clients, and OPDC staff to support OPDC’s mission and