Employment
Please check back regularly for future job openings at MPD! Click here to contact the MPD Human Resources Department.
Volunteer Opportunities
Research and Writing Students
Working under the supervision of an experienced public defender, research law students work with attorneys on all types of projects and cases.
Apply by emailing a resume and cover letter to randwapplicants@mpdlaw.com
Certified Law Clerk Students
Working under the supervision of an experienced attorney, certified law students are able to handle every aspect of a case, from client counseling to adversarial hearings and trials.
Apply by emailing a resume and cover letter to clsapplicants@mpdlaw.com
Hiring Process
Metropolitan Public Defender will hire the best qualified candidate for a position. MPD is an equal opportunity employer, and we will make an effort to recruit candidates from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Applicants are screened based on applicable experience and education. We will hire only those who are authorized to work in the US. Metropolitan Public Defender does not tolerate any form of harassment or violence in the workplace.
Our hiring process involves an application screen, an initial interview, and a final interview. Only completed application packets (current resume and cover letter) will be considered for initial interviews. Initial interviews will only be scheduled for applicants deemed most qualified for our firm. Not all applicants will be granted a final interview.
Please notify our Human Resources Department at 503-225-9100 if you require special disability accommodations to participate in the employment process.
Benefits
MPD has a Section 125 Plan which includes medical, dental, vision, additional life insurance, dependent life insurance and flexible spending accounts. Employees regularly scheduled to work at least 20 hours each week (.5 FTE) are eligible to participate in the firm’s benefit plans.
AFSCME
Metropolitan Public Defender has an agreement with AFSCME Public Defenders Local No. 3668, Council 75, AFL-CIO. It excludes temporary employees, such as Certified Law Students and those employees who are supervisory or confidential as defined by the National Labor Relations Act.
All employees shall be required to pay dues as determined by the Union, or be required to make “fair share” payments, after their first 30 days of employment as a condition of continued employment with MPD.


