APD II & III: FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION

Position Description The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks an experienced, zealous, client-

centered attorney to serve as an Assistant Public Defender in the Forensic Mental Health

Division (FMHD). OPD is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly

encourages people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.

MOPD has offices in every Jurisdiction in the state where we represent indigent people charged

with crimes, in addition we have statewide divisions including: Appellate Division (representing

clients in appellate courts), Mental Health Division (representing people who have been

involuntarily hospitalized), Post-Conviction Division (representing clients ineffective assistance

of counsel proceedings), and Parental Defense Division (representing parents in proceeds to

remove children from parental custody or terminate parental rights). OPD’s vision is for Justice,

Fairness, and Dignity for All. Our employees are committed to the core values of a culture of

excellence, client-centered representation, tenacious advocacy, and are united as a team in

achieving the MOPD’s mission. Learn more about our mission and commitment to diversity,

equity, and inclusion. MOPD seeks candidates who will join us in providing compassionate,

competent, zealous, and client-centered representation to all of our clients. Learn more about our

mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Forensic Mental Division is a statewide division whose mission is to provide OPD staff and

panel attorneys with access to the highest caliber expert consultative services, resources, training,

and on-call litigation support necessary for superior representation of clients with complex

mental health issues.

Overview Of The Position An Assistant Public Defender serving as a Forensic Mental Health Attorney works directly with

OPD and panel attorneys throughout the state and in all divisions to provide specialized litigation

support for the representation of clients with complex behavioral health issues, primarily on

issues where a behavioral health condition intersects with legal issues, such as: competency to

stand trial, criminal responsibility, dangerousness assessments, and parenting capacity. The

FMHD attorney assists in clarifying relevant case strategies, developing contextual legal

frameworks, and identifying appropriate behavioral health experts to assist in the process. The

FMHD attorney role includes advising and providing training to attorneys, direct litigation in

serious Felony and Termination of Parental Rights cases, developing institutional models for

practice, and participating in relevant policy development. The position will be located at 6 St.

Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland, and is currently hybrid-remote consistent with State of

Maryland policies.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Collaborate with all litigation team members to promote comprehensive client-centered

representation from the filing of charges through disposition.

• Support OPD and panel attorneys related to all aspects of mental health evidence and

expert testimony, including reviewing mental health records and case discovery,

identifying trial strategies and defenses, identifying expert consultation needs, and

assisting with preparation for related litigation.

• Identify, vet, and retain behavioral health experts necessary to evaluate OPD clients to

provide individualized representation.

• Directly participate in litigation in serious cases as needed.
• Identify relevant training needs on individual, district, and statewide bases.
• Develop and conduct informal or formal training at the district/division level and for the

public, outside agencies, or other interested entities, as requested.

• In collaboration with the Training Division, develop and conduct formal training

programs to enhance the representation of clients with complex health needs.

• Continuously seek professional and personal development through trainings, CLEs, and

trial skills courses.

• Collaborate with OPD’s government relations team to identify and address injustice

within the policies and systems impacting our clients with behavioral health challenges.

• Accepts other duties as assigned by the State Public Defender.