Opening for Chief Public Defender (annual salary, plus medical and retirement benefits, annual and sick leave.)

Required:

Juris Doctor degree and license with the State Bar of West Virginia. A minimum of five years experience in the practice of criminal defense or the equivalent is preferred.

Requirements:

Must maintain State Bar of West Virginia license throughout employment at the office's expense; may not practice law in the State of West Virginia for any other client except the Fayette County Public Defender's Office; must not serve as an advisor or consultant on legal matters to any other entity, public or private, or be a party to any other indigent defense contract.

Duties:

The Chief Public Defender manages the Public Defender Office, rules on financial affidavits from defendants. Oversees annual and sick leave reporting, reviews invoices, executes checks and signs financial statements. Supervise staff and all Assistant Public Defenders and mediate any disagreements between clients and their counsel. Maintain a full caseload.

To Apply:

Send a resume and cover letter to Nancy Fraley by September 1, 2026. Email nfraley@fayettedefender.org ; fax (304) 574-2674; or, Nancy Fraley, Fayette County Public Defender, 102 Fayette Avenue, Fayetteville, West Virginia 25840, ph. 304.2583.