OCCUPATION: PUBLIC DEFENDER

Name: Lorene Mies

Employer: Orange County public defender’s office

Thumbs up: “Before becoming a public defender, I had my own civil law practice and hated the endless paperwork and trivial issues. Here, we’re in court every day dealing with real, human problems. To me, that’s what being an attorney is all about. We may not always deal with the best people, but we have to make sure they are treated with respect. I feel that I play an important role in the democratic system of checks and balances.”

Thumbs down: “The tremendous caseload. It’s possible to be working on an average of 180 different cases at a time. Sometimes it seems like there isn’t enough time or resources to do the job properly.”

Advice: “Do it. If you like being in court, the public defender’s office is the best place to learn trial law.”

Salary range: $46,924 to $72,259, depending on experience.

Fringe benefits: All public defenders receive paid vacation, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, paid sick leave and retirement plans.

Hours: Most public defenders work a flextime schedule where they are allowed to take an additional day off in exchange for working nine- to 10-hour days, four days a week.

Educational and training requirements: A law degree and admission to the California State Bar. Additional course work in drama, speech and behavioral sciences is helpful.

Size of work force: Small. There are 122 public defenders in Orange County.

Expected demand: Limited due to budgetary constraints.

Job description: Public defenders represent indigent clients in criminal law and provide civil law services to parents accused of child abuse, abandonment or sexual molestation.

Advancement: Public defenders may advance through a series of levels that include senior deputy public defender, assistant public defender and chief deputy public defender. The county’s top public defender is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and is usually selected from among the top ranks of the public defender’s office staff. Some public defenders become judges or open their own civil or criminal law practices.

For information: Orange County Personnel Office (714) 834-2828 or (714) 834-JOBS.

Source: Orange County public defender’s office