Public Defense Attorney The Department of Public Defense (DPD) seeks thoughtful, creative, energetic advocates to join our dynamic and diverse team which includes a staff of over 520 including attorneys, mitigation specialists, investigators, paralegals, and legal administrators who collaborate to advance our clients' goals. DPD prides itself on hiring client-centered advocates. We prefer applicants who have participated in a law school clinical program, interned for a public defender program, or who have lived experience in the criminal legal or family surveillance systems.