Top 4 Public defender Jobs in San Diego, Ca

Associate Attorney
The Law Offices of David P. Shapiro, APLC —San Diego, CA
- $125,000 - $175,000 a year
- Email
- Mid-level
- In-person
- 4 years
- Disability insurance
- Health insurance
Quick Apply
10d
Staff Attorney
ALTO USA LLC —San Diego, CA
- $85,000 - $100,000 a year
- Weekends as needed
- Remote
- Writing skills
- Mid-level
- Driver's License
- Mileage reimbursement
- Disability insurance
Quick Apply

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Attorney
Law Firm Company —San Diego, CA
Matching 401k ~ up to 4% matching the employees contribution of 5%. Personal Injury / General Liability Defense experience required.
$150,000 - $250,000 a year
Quick Apply
Senior Trial Attorney for Criminal Defense Firm
Michael & Associates, Attorneys at Law —San Diego, CA
Our investment in technology, automation, and operational support minimizes administrative work, allowing you to spend more time representing clients and…
$170,000 - $185,000 a year
Quick Apply

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Assistant Public Defender - Appeals & Postconviction
State of Ohio - Public Defender Commission —Columbus, OH
The agency maintains a fleet of vehicles for staff to reserve; use of a fleet vehicle requires evidence of a valid driver’s license and personal auto insurance…
$38.75 - $49.92 an hour
Assistant Public Defender - Ross County
State of Ohio - Public Defender Commission —Chillicothe, OH
Note: the position does not involve trial-level representation in federal court and does not involve post-trial representation on direct appeal, state post-…
$38.75 - $49.92 an hour

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Associate Attorney

The Law Offices of David P. Shapiro, APLC -
San Diego, CA

Quick Apply

Job Details

Full-time
$125,000 - $175,000 a year
10 days ago

Benefits

Disability insurance
Health insurance
Dental insurance
401(k)
Tuition reimbursement
Paid time off
Cash balance pension plan
Vision insurance
Professional development assistance
Flexible schedule
Life insurance
Referral program
Retirement plan

Qualifications

Associate legal team experience
U.S. District Court experience
Client rapport building
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office experience
U.S. Supreme Court experience
Criminal case experience
Bar
U.S. Court of Appeals experience

Full Job Description

Do you have proven experience as a criminal defense attorney and are looking to join a firm that delivers excellence to its clients and creates a positive and lasting impact on the San Diego community beyond criminal defense? Perhaps you are a solo practitioner who loves what you do, but has grown tired of the responsibilities of running a law firm? Or you are a current Public Defender or Prosecutor who knows it is time to make a change but does not want to leave a career in criminal law?

If that’s you, you’ll step in immediately — carrying your own caseload, appearing in court, and owning your matters end-to-end with the precision, composure, and integrity this Firm demands. You’ll be trusted as a true peer by the attorneys and staff you work alongside.

We're a San Diego-based boutique criminal defense firm that takes pride in being unconventional, thorough, and unapologetically committed to excellence. Excellence, for us, is not a goal — it's a habit. If you embody integrity, respect, clear communication, a positive outlook, and genuine adaptability, and if you thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments, this may be your role. This position is in-person, full-time, and we're hiring now.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR + WHAT YOU’LL DO

4+ years of criminal law experience. Active private-practice criminal defense, public defender, or prosecutorial experience — what matters is that you've managed your own caseload and know your way around a courtroom.
Active California Bar membership in good standing. No pending disciplinary matters.
Significant courtroom exposure. Appearing in court with confidence and command.Comfortable and effective at arraignments, readiness conferences, motions, preliminary hearings, and trial proceedings. You don’t freeze. Ever.
Demonstrated ownership of a caseload. You manage deadlines, clients, discovery, negotiations, and strategy without hand-holding — but you know when to ask for help when it is needed.
Exceptional client communication. You know how to listen, empathize, explain, and be straight with people during the worst moments of their lives. And your exceptional client communication is not only when you feel like providing it. You will build genuine rapport, set expectations, and uphold the firm's standards in every interaction.
Genuine commitment to our core principles ofintegrity, respect, communication, positivity, and adaptability. These aren't buzzwords here — they define how we work every day and are the standard.
Sharp judgment and a strong work ethic. How you do anything is how you do everything. No days off mindset.
Spanish Speaking? Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is preferred but not required.
Eagerness to learn. Ability and willingness to learn and leverage Agentic AI a plus.
Full-Time & On-Site. This is not a remote/hybrid position. If that’s what you’re looking for, this isn’t the right fit.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive base salary at or above market, commensurate with skill and experience, plus case origination bonus opportunities.
Generous PTO and sick time policy
Up to $5,250/year in tax-free student loan and tuition repayment
401(k) with automatic employer contribution and cash balance retirement plan
Firm-sponsored medical, disability, and life insurance for full-time employees
Real support to grow and thrive — Meaningful caseload autonomy with real mentorship from the Firm’s Partners plus a staff that shows up for each other

HOW TO APPLY

Serious and qualified applicants should email their resume and cover letter to [email protected]. The cover letter include: (1) a brief description of your current and recent caseload, including courts where you regularly appear; (2) specific examples of how you embody the Firm's core values outlined above; and (3) why you applied for this position at this criminal defense law firm. BuciBoy#2026#LOODPS should be in the subject line of the email, and the cover letter should be entirely in bold. Rest assured your application will be confidential.

Pay: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Flexible schedule
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Referral program
Retirement plan
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Quick Apply

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public defender jobs in san diego, ca

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