Pay: $80,000 to $120,000, depending on experience. $7,500 signing bonus for felony-qualified attorneys (limited number; two-year commitment).
Levels: APD I: 3L or new graduate through 2 years. APD II: 2+ years. APD III: 5+ years.
Posting: Open until filled.
Two kinds of lawyers do well here
If you’re a 3L or a new lawyer, you went to law school to defend people. You want your own clients and real courtroom time early, without being left to figure it out alone. Here you get a mentor on day one and training that runs alongside your cases.
If you’ve been practicing a while, you want to try serious cases without chasing fees, doing your own investigation, or spending half your week on the business side. Here you carry a felony docket with an investigator and a social worker on your team, earn up to $120,000, and help train the next class of lawyers. Felony-qualified attorneys may also qualify for a $7,500 signing bonus.
About us
Crossroads Defenders opened in 2024 as the public defender for Victoria, Jackson, Lavaca, Refugio, and Goliad Counties. We take on everything from juvenile cases to non-capital murder. Each of our attorneys has access to paralegals, investigators, and social workers, so when we need to track down key evidence, or help a client find a bed for treatment, the team is already on it.
We built our handbook and training program with help from the Public Defender Service for D.C., the Bronx Defenders, TIDC, the Harris County Public Defender’s Office, and the defense clinics at UT and Texas Tech.
How we work
Our office motto is “Be a pleasant pain in the ass.” We are comfortable being uncomfortable, and we push hard for our clients while building the types of working relationships that advance justice, rather than degrade it.
A few of the house rules every new hire learns:
The client comes first. They outweigh convenience, ego, and court culture, every time.
Act with integrity, hold yourself accountable, and be excellent.
Take intelligent risks.
Don’t be a bootlicker.
Training and growth
New attorneys start with orientation and a mentor, then go through weekly training alongside their first cases: client interviews, working up a docket, bail, discovery, negotiation, suppression issues, and trial skills. Experienced hires move into felony work as soon as they’re ready. Senior attorneys lead the office’s most complex cases, train each new class, and help set office policy. The office pays your State Bar dues and CLE, and grant funding sends attorneys to advanced courses such as DWI training.
We use a weighted caseload plan with monthly limits on new cases.
Living in Victoria
Victoria has about 65,000 people and sits on the Guadalupe River, two hours from Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Housing costs much less than in those cities, so buying a nice house on a public defender’s salary is realistic here. The bays & beach at Port Lavaca are about half an hour away. If you’re moving with a partner, healthcare, education, and manufacturing are the big local employers.
Pay and benefits
$80,000 to $120,000, depending on experience
$7,500 signing bonus for felony-qualified attorneys (limited number; two-year commitment)
Public Service Loan Forgiveness: we are a county government employer. After 120 qualifying payments while working here full time, your remaining eligible federal student loans are forgiven, tax-free.
15 days of paid time off
State Bar dues and CLE paid by the office
Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance
TCDRS retirement with a strong county match
Reimbursed gym membership, tuition assistance, and optional life and disability coverage
What you need
A J.D. and a Texas law license, or be on your way to one. Sitting for the exam, waiting on results, or transferring a license from another state all count.
A Texas driver’s license and a reliable car. You’ll cover courthouses in several counties.
Criminal defense experience is welcome at any level. Trial experience is preferred for APD II and III.
Spanish…