1. What exactly do you do?
- What field is your job in?
Legal - What is your job title?
Attorney - Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)
I am currently employed by the Public Defender\'s Office in Broward County. We have 150 attorneys in our office. We are employees of the State of Florida. We represent indigent criminal defendants.
- How long have you been employed in this position?
1.5 years - How many hours do you work a week on average?
50 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
50 - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
I am a criminal defense attorney for indigent criminal defendants. I receive files on a daily basis and must review them. I am in court every day handling motions and arraignments. On average, I have around 75 cases. I have a case from beginning to end. A case can resolve at arraignment or go all the way to trial. Given that, I may have a case for as few as a week or as long as a year.
- What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
40000 - What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
42000 - Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
2 weeks paid vacation, paid full medical benefits, small fee dental, unlimited sick leave - Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
under
2. Work environment!
- Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
Yes, I am constantly interacting with clients, co-counsel, co-workers, opposing counsel, judge, courtroom personnel, and courthouse personnel.
- Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes - Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes - Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
I work in the courthouse everyday. I have an office of my own in the main office, but spend a lot of time in the courtroom.
- Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 5 Income
- 6 Work Environment - co-workers
- 7 Work Environment - supervisors
- 4 Benefits
- 3 Hours
- 8 Level of responsibility
- 1 The actual "work" you do at your job
- 2 Job Title
3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?
- If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Complete lawschool with an emphasis in study on criminal law, criminal procedure, and public service.
- What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)
A person in my job should be able to effectively communicate with others, handle stress well and be very organized.
- Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Law school, but no job experience necessary - What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Stay organized, keep in touch with clients frequently, and learn from others as much as possible.
4. How did you get your J-O-B
- How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)
Referral - What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)
submit resume and then several follow-up interviews - Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)
Yes, there were three different interviews. The first was a basic phone interview. the second was an interview with several office chiefs and the third was an interview with the head boss in the company. I was the only interviewee in each interview - If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?
Why I wanted to be a public defender, how confident I was, what my case law experience was, what my courtroom experience was, my expectations of the job, conceptions of the job, and my overall goal. - Is this the job / field you planned to work in?
Yes - If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)
No, this is what I have always wanted to do
5. Background: Are you qualified?
- Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Yes, two weeks of basic training followed by several months of mentoring. - Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain
Yes, the best way to become proficient at this job is to just do it. I was prepared as much as possible in the basic training, but heavily relied on my mentor to help get me though the day to day issues. - Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain
It helped me learn to research the law, but did not prepare me for actual courtroom interaction with Judges, clients and opposing counsel. - If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?
6. The Future and Beyond (FINAL SECTION)
- If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is "fun" about your job?
Daily courtroom interactions, meeting clients, taking cases to trial. - What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)
The most fulfilling aspect is helping indigent people through the criminal justice system. The least fulfilling aspect is the fact that public defenders are grossly underpaid. - Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?
Yes, the experience I am gaining is invaluable. - What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)
I love working where I am now. I hope to become a better trial attorney with time and become a major crimes attorney with the office. - Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
It is fulfilling and excited everyday. I am learning on a daily basis skills that will make me a better attorney and a better person. I am exposed to new ideas, people, and beliefs everyday and greatly enjoy that aspect of the job.
7. A Day in the Life Of...
- 7 am - 8 am
Arrive at the office, pull the cases that will be in court that day, review my calendar for the day, review probable cause affidavits in preparation for arraignments, check voicemail messages - 8 am - 9 am
continue to prepare for court, enter court at 8:15, talk to clients for fifteen minutes, judge takes the bench at 8:30. Handle arraignments and hearings until around 11am - 9 am - 10 am
Handle in court hearings and arraignments. Speak to client who are in court that day. Negotiate with the state attorneys on cases. Attempt to resolve cases. - 10 am - 11 am
Finish court. - 11 am - 12 am
Return to office. Prepare for the afternoon. Check email, respond as appropriate. Return phone messages, check voicemail once again. - 12 am - 1 pm
- 1 pm - 2 pm
Take depositions in pending cases. Attent client meetings to review cases. - 2 pm - 3 pm
Continue depositions and client meetings - 3 pm - 4 pm
Finish court. - 4 pm - 5 pm
Prepare for the next day by pulling files and reviewing paperwork. Set new depositions and client meetings. write motions and file with the court. SEt new dates with the clerk of court. - 5 pm - 6 pm
Finish up any left over work. - 6 pm - 7 pm
NA - 7 pm - 8 pm
if I have trial the next day or a motion, I will review the file at home. - 8 pm - 9 pm
na - 9 pm - 10 pm
na - 10 pm - 11 pm
na - 11 pm - 12 pm
na