How do I get an OADC lawyer appointed to my case?

Court-appointed counsel through the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (OADC) is limited by statute to certain adult criminal and juvenile cases, criminal appeals, and post-conviction petitions. Civil cases and Federal actions do not fall within our agency’s statutory authority so attorneys cannot be appointed through our agency for these types of matters.

Pro se defendants may be appointed Advisory Counsel by the judge in their case. Those appointments are handled through the Judicial Department and are made independently of the OADC. There are two different processes for obtaining court-appointed counsel, depending on whether your case is in the pre- or post- conviction stage.

Pre-Conviction

In order to obtain court-appointed counsel, whether through the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) or through the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (OADC), you must either request court-appointed counsel (if you are In-custody) or apply at any OSPD office (if you are out-of-custody). In either case, it will be the Public Defender's Office that determines if you qualify for court-appointed counsel. (You can find information about the application process and a listing of regional OSPD offices by visiting their website at http://www.coloradodefenders.us/information/applying-for-a-public-defender/.)

• If the OSPD determines that you qualify for court-appointed counsel, but they find they have an ethical conflict of interest in representing you, they will notify the Court. In most instances, the court then issues an Order appointing a particular OADC lawyer (from the list of available OADC contract attorneys in that jurisdiction) to represent you.
• Per statute, "...a 'conflict of interest' may include, but need not be limited to, circumstances in which the state public defender represents a codefendant or a person who is a witness in the case or other circumstances identified in the Colorado rules of professional conduct or other rules of civil procedure as creating a conflict of interest. Case overload, lack of resources, and other similar circumstances shall not constitute a 'conflict of interest'." C.R.S. section 21-2-103(1.5)(c). You will not obtain appointed alternate counsel for reasons such as disagreement with your attorney over strategy or because you simply do not like the attorney provided by the OSPD.
• If you wish to file a post-conviction motion under Criminal Procedure Rule 35, you must petition the Court having jurisdiction over your case for appointment of counsel. You will have to file the initial petition yourself; our agency cannot appoint someone to help you file the petition. For more information about filing post-conviction motions under Rule 35, please see the self-help section of the Colorado Judicial Branch’s website or click on this link: https://www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/postconvictionrelief/. If the judge in your case issues an order for appointment of counsel for a post-conviction motion, either the Public Defender’s Office or our office will appoint a lawyer to your case.
• For cases on appeal, either through the direct appeal of your conviction and sentence or appeal of a denial of a Criminal Procedure Rule 35 motion, you should speak to your current counsel about requesting appellate counsel. If you had appointed counsel at the trial level, your attorney will typically determine the appellate options available to you. If you do not have an attorney to advise you of your appellate options, please visit the Colorado Judicial Branch’s self-help section or review the Court of Appeals Forms and Policies by clicking on this link: https://www.courts.state.co.us/Self_Help/courtofappeals/. If you wish to have a court-appointed attorney for your appeal, you must request that the court appoint counsel for you.

How do I find out who my appointed attorney is?

If the Court has appointed counsel in your case, you will be contacted by the attorney at the contact information you gave the court and/or the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD). In many cases, the OSPD will notify you that they are withdrawing from your case before or at the same time as the motion for appointment of conflict-free counsel is made to the Court. This means that until the Court rules on that motion and appoints new counsel, you are still technically represented by the OSPD. Our agency will not be able to tell you who your appointed attorney is until the judge in your case has entered the order. This sometimes will not happen for several days or even weeks after you have been notified by the OSPD that they have identified a conflict of interest.

You can always contact the clerk of the court having jurisdiction over your case to determine your attorney of record. Court contact information can be found on the Judicial website or by clicking this link: https://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/County/Choose.cfm If you know the name of your attorney, information can be found in the Attorney Regulation database, including contact address and telephone number and bar number, by searching here: http://www.coloradosupremecourt.com/search/attsearch.asp. Typically, you will be contacted by your attorney before or at your next court appearance, but if it has been more than two weeks since the OSPD notified you that they were withdrawing from your case, you may call our office at 303-515-6920 and select option 0. You will be required to provide a case number, the county where your case has been filed, your date of birth, name (including spelling of your first and last names), and a telephone number or email address where we can contact you. Our office will do our best to assist you.

If your case is on appeal and the OADC has been appointed, your file will be held until the complete record has been prepared by the trial court and certified to the Court of Appeals. Your Notice of Appeal and Designation of Transcripts (which are the first documents to be filed in an appeal) will be signed by either the Director or Deputy Director of our agency. However, those individuals are not actually representing you for your appeal. They will not be involved in your case beyond the filing of those initial documents. After all of the transcripts have been prepared, and the court file is ready, your case will be assigned to an attorney who specializes in appellate cases and is available to take your case.

How do I apply to work with OADC as a contractor (in any role)?

The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, or against persons with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position. IMPORTANT: The OADC uses Formsite to complete various forms. Please add This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as a safe sender. Once you submit your application, you will receive an automatic email from Formsite. If you cannot find this email, please look in your spam/junk folder. Although the OADC accepts new contractor applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

How do I become an OADC Contract Attorney?

ATTORNEYS wishing to be added to the OADC Attorney Appointment List, click here to complete the application. Before you begin this application, make sure you have the documents listed below in PDF format and not more than 5MB in size. Although the OADC accepts new contractor applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

• Current CV or Resume
• CLE Transcript for the Past Three (3) Years
• Print Out of Disciplinary History from Supreme Court Website
• Two (2) Reference Letters
• Optional Cover Letter
  
  

Motions or Briefs as follows:

• If interested in adult misdemeanor and felony, a substantive motion or brief related to criminal defense
• If interested in youth defense, a substantive motion or brief related to youth defense
• If interested in appellate, a substantive brief related to appellate defense
• If interested in post-conviction, a substantive motion related to post-conviction defense<
• If interested in COCCA & Complex Litigation, a substantive motion or brief related to COCCA & Complex Litigation defense

While there are many lawyers who are interested in accepting appointments from the OADC, there are, unfortunately, a limited number of openings available, especially in the Denver Metro area. If you have not heard from our office within three (3) months, you are invited to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How do I become an OADC Contract Investigator?

INVESTIGATORS (see the full job description here) wishing to be added to the OADC Investigator list, click here to complete the application. Before you begin this application, make sure you have the documents listed below in PDF format and not more than 5MB in size. Although the OADC accepts new contractor applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

• Reference Letter from an OADC Contract Attorney Indicating Why They Wish for You to Be Added to the List
• Current CV or Resume
• Optional Cover Letter

If you have not heard from our office within three (3) months, you are invited to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How do I become an OADC Contract Forensic Social Worker?

FORENSIC SOCIAL WORKERS (see the full job description here) wishing to be added to the OADC Forensic Social Worker list, click here to complete the application. Before you begin this application, make sure you have the documents listed below in PDF format and not more than 5MB in size. Although the OADC accepts new contractor applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing.

• Current CV or Resume
• Redacted Writing Sample that Showcases your Writing & Clinical Reasoning

If you have not heard from our office within three (3) months, you are invited to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How do I become an OADC Contract Forensic Social Worker Supervisor?

FORENSIC SOCIAL WORKER SUPERVISORS (see the full job description here) wishing to be added to the OADC Forensic Social Worker Supervisor list, click here to complete the application. Before you begin this application, make sure you have the documents listed below in PDF format and not more than 5MB in size. Although the OADC accepts new contractor applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

• Current CV or Resume

If you have not heard from our office within three (3) months, you are invited to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How do I become an OADC Contract Resource Advocate?

RESOURCE ADVOCATES (see the full job description here) wishing to be added to the OADC Resource Advocate list, click here to complete the application. Before you begin this application, make sure you have the documents listed below in PDF format and not more than 5MB in size. Although the OADC accepts new contractor applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

• Current CV or Resume
• Cover Letter

If you have not heard from our office within three (3) months, you are invited to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How do I become an OADC Contract MSW Student?

MSW STUDENTS wishing to be added to the OADC MSW Student list, click here to complete the application. Before you begin this application, make sure you have the documents listed below in PDF format and not more than 5MB in size. Although the OADC accepts new contractor applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

• Current CV or Resume
• Cover Letter

If you have not heard from our office within three (3) months, you are invited to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How do I become an OADC Contract Paralegal?

PARALEGALS (see the full job description here) wishing to be added to the OADC Paralegal list, click here to complete the application. Before you begin this application, make sure you have the documents listed below in PDF format and not more than 5MB in size. Although the OADC accepts new contractor applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

• Cover Letter
• Resume 

If you have not heard from our office within three (3) months, you are invited to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How do I become an OADC Contract Legal Researcher or Case Assistant?

CASE ASSISTANTS (see the full job description here) wishing to be added to the OADC Legal Researcher or Case Assistant list, click here to complete the application. Before you begin this application, make sure you have the documents listed below in PDF format and not more than 5MB in size. Although the OADC accepts new contractor applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

• Cover Letter
• Resume

LEGAL RESEARCHERS (see the full job description here) wishing to be added to the OADC Legal Researcher or Case Assistant list, click here to complete the application. Before you begin this application, make sure you have the documents listed below in PDF format and not more than 5MB in size. Although the OADC accepts new contractor applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

• Cover Letter
• Resume

If you have not heard from our office within three (3) months, you are invited to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

What law school internship and externship opportunities does OADC offer?

Law students who are interested in an internship, externship, semester in-practice, or Student Practice Act opportunities will need to apply to become an OADC contractor. If your school permits it, all intern and extern opportunities are paid per the contractor rate.  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, however, if you are looking for summer work or need a required number of externship hours, or are interested in the Student Practice Act, please apply two to three months prior to your expected semester or summer.  OADC cannot onboard new contractors from the beginning of May through July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

Click here to complete the application for the contractor roles of Case Assistant or Legal Researcher.

CASE ASSISTANTS (see the full job description here)

LEGAL RESEARCHERS (see the full job description here)

Law students will have an opportunity to do meaningful work related to indigent criminal defense. Most opportunities involve working directly with OADC contracted attorneys. The contractor role and rate are dependent on the law students’ level of experience and interests. Law Students have an opportunity to work on a variety of cases, including trial level, juvenile, postconviction, and appellate matters. While the OADC cannot guarantee a certain number of hours of work, our agency will work to pair you with a mentor or a large project that tries to match your interests and goals. If you are interested in an externship, OADC will work to make sure you meet your required externship hours.   

If you want to know more about law student opportunities, need to fulfill an unpaid pro bono requirement, or are interested in practicing under the Student Practice Act, you are invited to email our Attorney Development Coordinator, Kristin M. Ladd, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you have not heard from our office within three (3) months, you are invited to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

How do I become an OADC Intern or Volunteer?

 What internship and volunteer opportunities does the OADC offer? The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel welcomes student interns, paralegal student interns, and volunteers. 

The OADC contracts with Attorneys, Investigators, Paralegals, and Social Workers across the state to represent defendants in every stage of a criminal proceeding, including trial, appeal, and post-conviction stages. Interns and volunteers can do meaningful work related to indigent criminal defense. Placements may be within the agency or external, with our contract attorneys, depending on the intern's experience level and interests. Although the OADC accepts applications on a rolling basis, we cannot onboard any new contractors between May 12^th and July 1^st of any year due to our fiscal year-end closing. 

• If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity or want to know about these opportunities, please email a cover letter and resume to Kristin Ladd, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Your cover letter should clearly state the type of position you seek, your areas of interest, the number of hours you need, and any specific deadlines you must meet. Submitting your resume does not guarantee that you will be given a position with the OADC. 
• For law students, please see the section above labeled "What law school internship and externship opportunities does OADC offer?" For additional information about Greater Colorado Programs mentorships and fellowships, please click here.

What Fellowship opportunities does the OADC Offer?

 The OADC offers two fellowship programs. For more information about these fellowship opportunities,

you can watch the Q & A session here

To see a prior job description and posting for the Greater Colorado Fellowship, click here.

To see a prior job description and posting for the Inclusivity Fellowship, click here.

We are not currently accepting applicants for these fellowships at this time.

The OADC is available as a host site for a variety of legal or other types of fellowship opportunities, past fellows have been AmeriCorps VISTA fellows with our agency. 

If you are interested in learning more about our opportunities or are seeking a host agency for a specific legal or post graduate fellowship opportunity you have identified, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For additional information about Greater Colorado Programs mentorships and fellowships, please click here.

 

The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, or against persons with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.