Portsmouth Public Defender Office

09/22/2025

Mark your calendars! BPDA’s 2026 Summer Fellowship recruitment mini-series is here.

Join us for three virtual sessions to:
👩🏿‍⚖️ Learn what it means to be a public defender
🎓 Hear from past Summer Fellows
🌍 Connect with host sites across the country

Don’t miss this chance to get your questions answered and prepare to apply for the 2026 BPDA Law School Summer Fellowship.

👇🏿 Register for each series below:

• October 8 | Public Defenders: Who We Are, What We Do | https://bpda.blackdefender.org/WhoWeAre
• October 15 | Been There, Done That: The Fellow Experience | https://bpda.blackdefender.org/BeenThere
• October 22 | Meet Your Host Sites | https://bpda.blackdefender.org/MeetYourHosts

06/12/2025

Title: Attorney - Assistant Public Defender I - Portsmouth State Role Title: Legal Services Officer II Hiring Range: $75,705.00 + Local Salary Supplement $8,000.00+ State Benefits Agency: Indigent Defense Commission Location: PORTSMOUTH 305 Agency Website: www.vadefenders.org Recruitment Type: Gener...

05/27/2025

We're hiring!

Title: Attorney - Assistant Public Defender I - Portsmouth State Role Title: Legal Services Officer II Hiring Range: $75,705.00 + Local Salary Supplement $8,000.00+ State Benefits Agency: Indigent Defense Commission Location: PORTSMOUTH 305 Agency Website: www.vadefenders.org Recruitment Type: Gener...

05/23/2025

Our office is hiring! We are seeking candidates for a Recovery Navigator position through Americorps, This opportunity is suited for anyone who is passionate about serving their community and has been in recovery from substance abuse for at least one year. The position will support our clients currently struggling with substance abuse, help them find resources and placement in programs, and work with our attorneys and mitigation staff. Please share with anyone you know who may be a good fit! Apply here: https://servicesite-ampact.icims.com/jobs/51819/recovery-navigator---portsmouth-public-defender-office/job?mobile=false&width=1028&height=500&bga=true&needsRedirect=false&jan1offset=-300&jun1offset=-240

02/21/2025

Virginia Indigent Defense Commission is a host site for our 2025 Community Engagement Fellowship! 🏢🙌🏾

Fellows will be placed in one of their 29 offices, where they will work on a groundbreaking project that explores critical issues of systemic racial disparities. Each fellowship will focus on one of two research areas: Racial Composition and Selection of Grand Juries and Disparate Impacts of Police Stop Outcomes.

REMINDER: This fellowship is for undergraduate and graduate students only, and the application deadline is Feb. 28! https://blackdefender.org/community-engagement-fellowship/

02/20/2025

Public Defender Offices in the Northern, Southwest, Central, and Tidewater Virginia areas have openings for attorneys who are dynamic, courageous, and committed to advocating on behalf of indigent clients. The attorney will handle criminal cases for adults and juveniles in various stages of litigation. Apply ASAP if you're interested!

To apply for the Northern Region: https://lnkd.in/eZa8YZYH
To apply for the Southwest Region: https://lnkd.in/einpbQR2
To apply for the Central Region: https://lnkd.in/eSn3Rq4K
To apply for the Tidewater Region: https://lnkd.in/edFnTtPH

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02/18/2025

Join BPDA on Thursday, Feb. 20 for a Virtual Info Session for our 2025 Community Engagement Fellowship! Undergrad and grad students are encouraged to join us to learn more about the program, meet this year's host sites and get answers to any questions they may have.

Register here: https://ow.ly/5Mpa50V1AiV.

02/18/2025

This week we’re honoring Black Defenders who are bold leaders in their communities. Lakishi Stevenson serves as Virginia Indigent Defense Commission’s Chief Public Defender for the City of Chesapeake. Under her leadership, the office is now recognized for their value to the community with local salary supplements. While arguably unrelated, the long-time Chief Prosecutor of the community retired within two years of Lakishi's selection to the post.

Lakishi’s colleague said, “Lakishi is one of the most dynamic and inspiring public defenders you will encounter. She is the epitome of exceptional leadership, not just talking about the work, but actually DOING the work. Her commitment to our clients is unparalleled, and her stamina and ability to hold a full caseload down while performing her tasks as the Chief Public Defender is incredible.”

08/23/2024

We are hiring! This is a unique opportunity for an individual with a passion for public service AND personal experience with recovery from substance abuse to help make a difference by working with our clients who are starting their journey to recovery. Please share this link with anyone who may be interested:

https://servicesite-ampact.icims.com/jobs/47493/recovery-navigator---portsmouth-public-defender-office/job

07/29/2024

If you have expertise in social work and/or mental health resource coordination, consider coming to work with us! This position provides a unique opportunity to serve our most vulnerable citizens in a fulfilling and rewarding work environment. Click the link to apply!

Title: Mitigation Specialist - Portsmouth State Role Title: Mitigation Specialist - Portsmouth Hiring Range: $58,456.00 + $6,000.00 Local Salary Supplement + State Benefits Agency: Indigent Defense Commission Location: PORTSMOUTH 305 Agency Website: www.vadefenders.org Recruitment Type: General Publ...

07/25/2024

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Zack Pate was something of a character. “He loved to blare music — Lady Gaga, don’t even get me started,” said Pate’s sister, Ashleigh Blankenship. The…