About the Colorado State Public Defender

Colorado’s Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) maintains a reputation as one of the top organizations in the nation specializing in the delivery of indigent criminal defense. We operate as an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government with nearly 1,000 dedicated employees assigned to twenty-one Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office. The mission of OSPD is to defend and protect the rights, liberties and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel. We do so by providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired and compassionate. We seek to hire professionals who are dedicated to furthering our mission and demonstrate compassion in their service to our clients. We are a fast paced, team-oriented environment, where self-motivation and a personal commitment to high performance are important attributes for success.

Job Description

OSPD’s Appellate Division, nearly 60 people strong, handles appeals of felony convictions and post-conviction rulings from across the State of Colorado. We seek to hire attorneys who will zealously and professionally represent indigent clients in Colorado’s appellate courts. These attorneys will join our office in September 2026 or later.

OSPD appellate attorneys demonstrate compassion, commitment to public service, and a desire to advocate on behalf of the poor. We are team-oriented, but we are also self-directed. We believe personal commitment to producing excellent work is an important attribute for success. We are highly skilled at research, legal analysis, writing, and oral advocacy. We manage our time effectively, we pay strong attention to detail, and we believe in the Oxford comma.

Typical responsibilities for Appellate Division attorneys include:

Reviewing trial court records and transcripts to identify potential issues for appeal.
Conducting legal research to evaluate relative strengths and weaknesses of issues identified for appeal.
Writing well-reasoned and persuasive briefs based on evidence in the appellate record and the relevant law.
Maintaining regular contact with clients throughout an appeal via in person and virtual prison visits, phone, and letters.
Establishing positive, productive, and respectful working relationships with clients and their families, consistent with ethical obligations.
Managing caseload and time to provide vigorous and effective representation to all clients.
Presenting oral argument in the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court.
Traveling to, and performing duties in, correctional institutions, jails, and district courts.
Developing professional, cooperative, productive, and respectful relationships with all members of the Public Defender system, including administrative staff, paralegals, and other attorneys.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school (in hand by time of hire).
License to practice law in the State of Colorado, or the ability to become licensed by November 2026.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
Ability to conduct incisive legal research.
Ability to review appellate records, which may include graphic visual depictions of evidence and crime scenes.
Ability to process and retain large amounts of information.
Ability to handle interruptions as well as challenging calls and letters.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
Ability to form and maintain strong professional relationships with clients and colleagues.

(Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.)

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience representing clients in criminal appeals.
Experience in indigent defense.
Experience with Colorado’s appellate courts and the appellate process.

Applying Details:

By Friday, May 29, 2026, please submit a single PDF including the following, in this order:

Cover letter
Resume
Law school transcripts (an unofficial transcript is acceptable)
List of references
Writing sample (unedited by others, no more than 10 pages; if your submission is an excerpt from a longer piece of writing, please provide an introduction explaining the context of your excerpt)

Note: We are trying to get to know you and your individual skills, so please do not include any AI-generated content in your submission.

Position Pages

Learn more about this role beyond the specific opening, including typical responsibilities, training, and how the position supports our clients and offices across Colorado.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply through the Colorado State Public Defender’s online application system.

You will be taken to our official application system (UKG Ready) to submit your application. Applicants may be prompted to create an account.

Cover letter is required. Please upload your cover letter and resume as one combined document. Failure to do so may result in immediate disqualification or the rejection of the application.

Apply for the Attorney – Appellate Position (opens in a new tab)

Benefits of Working for the OSPD

Medical Insurance
Basic Vision Insurance – included with medical plans
Dental Insurance
State Paid Life Insurance
State Paid Short-Term Disability
FSA – Healthcare and Dependent Care
HSA Plan with Employer Contribution
Generous Paid Time Off & Sick Leave
Flexible Schedules
11 paid holidays
Access to Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
Colorado PERA
401(k) and 457 Supplemental Retirement Plans

For more information on benefits please visit https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits. For additional information on PERA visit www.copera.org.

Summary

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

JOB APPLICATION FAIRNESS ACT

Resumes must include dates of employment but, you may redact or remove any information that will identify your age, date of birth or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

STATEMENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING:

OSPD is committed to maintaining a workplace where everyone feels respected, accepted, and valued. With this in mind, we strive to create an inclusive workplace that embraces different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. We will continuously review our company policies and hiring practices to foster a fair and equitable work culture.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status, or other protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Consistent with this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including the application and selection process.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact us at ADARequest@coloradodefenders.us.