Job Title: Staff Attorney – Mental Health
Location: Public Defender Services of Lane County – Eugene, Oregon
Position Type: Full-time
About the Position
We are hiring a passionate attorney to join our Mental Health Team, representing adults with serious mental illness in involuntary hospitalization and criminal cases. This is a litigation-forward, client-centered role rooted in disability justice values and a commitment to serving people in crisis.
This position also carries the opportunity for a supervisor-track role for qualified candidates, contingent on funding and position availability.
Core Responsibilities
- Represent clients in involuntary hospitalization proceedings, criminal matters, and before the Psychiatric Security Review Board.
- Visit and build relationships with clients in inpatient psychiatric units, emergency departments, jails, and other facilities.
- Litigate at all stages of a case — from early case planning and motion practice through contested hearings and trial.
- Prioritize autonomy, dignity, and trauma-informed representation in every case.
- Work closely with a collaborative team of attorneys, investigators, and support staff.
Required Qualifications
- Active Oregon bar membership or eligibility to waive in.
- Demonstrated experience or strong interest in working with individuals experiencing serious mental illness.
- Excellent legal research, writing, and litigation skills.
- Commitment to client-centered defense and disability justice.
- Willingness and ability to meet clients in secure and clinical settings.
- Strong preference for attorneys who meet qualifications to handle major felony cases.
Supervisor-Track Opportunity
Candidates with at least six years of criminal defense experience, who are major-felony qualified, and who have at least two years of experience supervising or mentoring attorneys, may be considered for a leadership role on the Mental Health Team.
If selected, the managing attorney will:
- Carry a small caseload of major felony cases.
- Provide supervision and mentorship to staff attorneys.
- Lead the development of litigation strategy across complex mental health-related legal matters.
- Support the team in navigating major upcoming changes to Oregon’s civil commitment and criminal competency statutes.
- Foster a high-functioning, trauma-informed, and values-aligned team culture.
- Collaborate with organizational leadership to improve systems, training, and policy.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for major-felony qualified attorneys is $100,621-$116, 481. The salary range for murder qualified attorneys is $122,305-$148,663. If a supervisor-track position is available and offered, that position carries additional compensation.
Our office offers a generous benefits package, training opportunities, and a commitment to sustainability and work-life balance.
How to Apply
Submit a cover letter, résumé, and writing sample to attorneypersonnel@lanepds.org. Please indicate whether you wish to be considered for the supervisor-track role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.