Specifications include, but are not limited to: Locations: State-Wide Keywords: Legal Services Bid Description: The office of the Defender General is searching for attorneys to provide Public Defense and Assigned Counsel services under contract throughout the State of Vermont for Fiscal Year 2025, commencing July 1, 2024. These legal services are available to indigent defendants charged with crimes with the possibility of jail, to parties in juvenile proceedings in Family Court, in appellate cases before the Vermont Supreme Court, and in post-conviction relief cases. Contracts include: • Public Defense Caseload Relief services throughout the State and appellate services. • Serious Felony Unit services throughout the State. • Conflict Assigned Counsel services in all counties throughout the State. Assigned counsel contractors provide quality legal services to persons entitled to be represented by a public defender, in cases in which the public defender in the county has a conflict of interest. These contracts range from a very small caseload in only criminal or juvenile cases to full- time contracts covering both caseloads. o Known openings: Chittenden County Criminal Washington County Criminal Windham County Criminal • Conflict Assigned Counsel appellate services. • Conflict Assigned Counsel post-conviction relief services. • Assigned Counsel Coordinator Services. Qualifications for public defense and assigned counsel contracts are current admission to the Vermont Bar, handicap accessibility to the practice and a demonstrated ability to provide high quality representation with an emphasis on trial practice and courtroom skills while managing a heavy caseload. The contracts are performance based and provide for a monthly payment based on historical caseload. Contractors are required to carry professional liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 per occurrence.
