Website Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy
Position Description:
STAFF ATTORNEY I: Must be licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky or
comply with SCR2.111, Limited Certification of Admission to Practice, or SCR 2.112, Attorney
Participates in Defender or Legal Services Program. Criminal defense experience is a plus.
o Full time position
o Salary: $67,501
o 5% increase upon completion of probationary period
o Full state benefits; 401K
AGENCY DESCRIPTION:
The Department of Public Advocacy is Kentucky’s statewide public defender system with offices
spanning from the beautiful Appalachian Mountains to the scenic lakes of southern Kentucky to
the farmlands of Western Kentucky to the urban areas of Louisville, Lexington, and
Covington (Cincinnati area). DPA has trial, appellate, post-conviction, capital, and juvenile
opportunities.
Ky DPA is nationally recognized as a model state-wide public defender system with an
outstanding training and education program for newly hired Law Clerks and Attorneys. Our
Kentucky Defender College provides over 150 hours of on-your-feet training and education
covering practice in District Court, Defending Children, Trials, Circuit Court, and Voir Dire. We
invite anyone who has a passion for defender work to come to Kentucky and join us in the fight
for justice and freedom. We begin making early offers in October to law students planning to
graduate in the following 8 months or who are awaiting bar results.
Why be a Kentucky Public Defender:
• Holistic Client Representation
• 150 hours of nationally recognized public defender training and education
• Courtroom experience from Day 1
• Mentorship Program
• Statewide Agency
• State Employee Benefits: Health Insurance, 401K, Retirement, comp time earned, paid holidays,
earned vacation, and sick leave
• Inclusive and diverse workforce
• Low cost of living
• Daily opportunities to make a difference for people who need you
Preferred candidates are highly motivated to practice criminal defense. If you want to be the strongest
line of defense for the poorest Kentucky citizens in a court of law, we welcome you to join us!
For more information about state employee benefits: https://personnel.ky.gov/
OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE – KENTUCKY LIMITED LICENSE
Out-of-state attorneys who are licensed to practice in that state may apply for positions
with the Ky DPA. The Kentucky Supreme Court offers a Limited Certificate of Admission
to Practice Law. The Limited Practice license allows the attorney with an out-of-state
license to practice in Kentucky for up to 18 months. Prior to the end of the 18 months,
they may either renew their Limited License, successfully transfer their UBE score, or take
the Kentucky Bar Exam.
IF KENTUCKY IS YOUR SECOND LICENSE, DPA REIMBURSES THE COST OF
EITHER TRANSFERRING YOUR UBE SCORE OR TAKING THE KENTUCKY EXAM.
If you took the exam in another state and you have received your license to practice in that state
and are waiting for the UBE score to transfer to Kentucky, you may acquire a Limited License and
begin to practice in Kentucky while you wait for the transfer to happen.
Kentucky is a Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) state with a passing score of 266.
Kentucky switches to the NextGen UBE in July 2027 requiring a passing score of 616.
To apply for this job email your details to Patti.Heying@ky.gov