|
|
|
||||
|
|
|||||
| Job Openings Contact Us Links | |||||
|
|
About the APDA The Arizona Public Defender Association is a non-profit corporation comprised of public defense attorneys and their support staff throughout the State of Arizona.
PUBLIC DEFENSE OFFERS ATTORNEYS THE UNIQUE COMBINATION OF INDEPENDENCE, TRAINING AND SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE Although cases are assigned to individual public defenders by their offices or programs, once an attorney-client relationship is established, all decisions about the representation are made by the attorney and the client. The attorney must exercise his or her independent professional judgment. While this responsibility can be unnerving at first, public defenders quickly develop the expertise to make important decisions with confidence. And, while it is the attorney’s independent professional judgment that controls, he or she is not alone (see below). TRAINING APDA and Arizona’s public defense offices and programs are dedicated to providing the best training in the profession. APDA’s members offer extensive training programs that are available to public defender attorneys across the state. These include basic attorney training, an annual trial college, and several statewide seminars each year. In addition, the APDA presents an annual statewide conference each June. This conference is available to attorneys and staff members of public defender offices and programs throughout the state, and provides up to 15 CLE credits on a wide variety of subjects. The conference showcases the talent enjoyed by APDA member offices and programs, but also draws upon nationally-known speakers and presenters.
SUPPORT
APDA exists to support public defense practitioners. There are many very experienced attorneys in Arizona’s public defense offices and programs, and APDA has brought them together in a network of support for public defense attorneys. If you have a question, you can quickly find an attorney who has the experience to help you, and, more importantly, wants to help you. APDA also supports public defense attorneys at the policy-making level. APDA represents public defense attorneys before the state legislature and Congress, and on criminal justice committees and task forces.
PUBLIC DEFENSE OFFERS
EXPERIENCE THAT WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER, MORE WELL-ROUNDED ATTORNEY COURTROOM EXPERIENCE Public defenders are in court virtually every day. You will get more courtroom and trial experience in two years as a public defender than your colleagues in law firms will get their entire careers. You won’t be doing another attorney’s research or carrying another attorney’s briefcase. You’ll be in court doing lawyer work. CAMARADERIE Shared dedication to challenging work leads to strong bonds between colleagues (remember the first year of law school?). Public defenders form lifelong friendships with their co-workers that are unparalleled in the legal profession. “Corporate politics” is non-existent in public defense work. You will work with other attorneys and staff members who, like you, are committed to principles that transcend politics and who want you to succeed as much as you do. CREATIVITY Public defenders handle the most challenging cases in the legal profession. They often have little to work with but their wits, tenacity and skills. Creativity is therefore an essential element of the work that public defenders continually nurture and develop. The result is a workplace that offers a dynamic, innovative and invigorating atmosphere of brainstorming and discovery. |
|
Upcoming Events First Ever Juvenile APDA Conference Saturday, February 27, 2010 Eighth Annual APDA Statewide Conference June 9-11, 2010 Brochure Will Be Posted Here On Or About May 3, 2010
|
||
