Candidates with up to three years of criminal trial experience interested in joining OPD as trial attorneys in one of our District Offices are invited to apply to either our Spring or Fall Class. 

 

What we are looking for in members of our classes:  dedication, commitment, empathy, client-centered advocacy, and zeal. 

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Our classes begin their time at MOPD by participating in an intensive two-week Gideon's Promise training program.  For the first three years at MOPD, our attorneys come back together every 6 months with the members of their class for more training and team-building. 

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Placement

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MOPD works really hard to ensure our placement process is collaborative.  During the hiring process, applicants indicate which jurisdictions they are interested in being considered for as well as rank their preferences.  Offers will only be extended for jurisdictions for which the candidate indicated they wanted to be considered. 

 

Timing

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Spring Class: MOPD typically begins accepting applications for the Spring Class in proceeding September.  Offers are extended in the winter.  Candidates must be members of the bar one month prior to the start date (end of February, or early March), but need not be a member of the bar at the time of application.

 

Fall Class: MOPD recruits for the Fall Class in two waves.  We begin accepting applications in September with a limited amount of offers extended in the winter. We begin accepting applications again in March with offers being extended in the summer.  Candidates must be members of the bar one month prior to the start date (early September) but need not be a member of the bar at the time of application. 

 

Third-Year Law Students: MOPD recruits law students for post-graduate attorney positions in the Fall of their 3L year.  Selected candidates join MOPD as trial attorneys in January following their graduation.  A limited amount of offers are extended in the winter and are conditioned upon membership in the Maryland Bar prior to the start date.  Selected attorneys will attend training with the other members of the Spring Class.

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Apply

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Spring Class 2025: Now Accepting Applications. Successful candidates for these positions will begin their employment with MOPD by February 19, 2025. All selected candidates are required to attend orientation and MOPD’s New Hire training. 

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Current 3Ls: The Maryland Office of the Public Defender will be extending a limited number of offers to current third-year law students to join MOPD in trial attorney positions upon admission to the Maryland Bar. Successful candidates for these positions will begin their employment with MOPD in January 2026. All selected candidates are required to attend orientation and MOPD’s New Hire training.   

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Fall Class 2025: Now accepting applications. Successful candidates for these positions will begin their employment with MOPD no later than August 06, 2025. All selected candidates are required to attend orientation and MOPD’s New Hire training.