You are viewing an individual career profile of a 28 year old Female from Tamarac, NY who is or was employed as a Attorney. This person shared his/her experiences and insight with TheCareerProject in order to help those who are considering a career in this field to better understand what working as a Attorney in Tamarac, NY is really like.
I am currently employed by the Public Defender\'s Office in Broward County. We have 150 attorneys in our office. We are employees of the State of Florida. We represent indigent criminal defendants.
I am a criminal defense attorney for indigent criminal defendants. I receive files on a daily basis and must review them. I am in court every day handling motions and arraignments. On average, I have around 75 cases. I have a case from beginning to end. A case can resolve at arraignment or go all the way to trial. Given that, I may have a case for as few as a week or as long as a year.
Yes, I am constantly interacting with clients, co-counsel, co-workers, opposing counsel, judge, courtroom personnel, and courthouse personnel.
I work in the courthouse everyday. I have an office of my own in the main office, but spend a lot of time in the courtroom.
Complete lawschool with an emphasis in study on criminal law, criminal procedure, and public service.
A person in my job should be able to effectively communicate with others, handle stress well and be very organized.
Stay organized, keep in touch with clients frequently, and learn from others as much as possible.
Why I wanted to be a public defender, how confident I was, what my case law experience was, what my courtroom experience was, my expectations of the job, conceptions of the job, and my overall goal.
Yes, two weeks of basic training followed by several months of mentoring.
Yes, the best way to become proficient at this job is to just do it. I was prepared as much as possible in the basic training, but heavily relied on my mentor to help get me though the day to day issues.
It helped me learn to research the law, but did not prepare me for actual courtroom interaction with Judges, clients and opposing counsel.
Daily courtroom interactions, meeting clients, taking cases to trial.
The most fulfilling aspect is helping indigent people through the criminal justice system. The least fulfilling aspect is the fact that public defenders are grossly underpaid.
Yes, the experience I am gaining is invaluable.
I love working where I am now. I hope to become a better trial attorney with time and become a major crimes attorney with the office.
It is fulfilling and excited everyday. I am learning on a daily basis skills that will make me a better attorney and a better person. I am exposed to new ideas, people, and beliefs everyday and greatly enjoy that aspect of the job.
Handle in court hearings and arraignments. Speak to client who are in court that day. Negotiate with the state attorneys on cases. Attempt to resolve cases.
Return to office. Prepare for the afternoon. Check email, respond as appropriate. Return phone messages, check voicemail once again.
Take depositions in pending cases. Attent client meetings to review cases.
Prepare for the next day by pulling files and reviewing paperwork. Set new depositions and client meetings. write motions and file with the court. SEt new dates with the clerk of court.
Finish up any left over work.
if I have trial the next day or a motion, I will review the file at home.