Candidates with up to three years of criminal trial experience interested in joining OPD as trial attorneys in one of our District Offices are invited to apply to either our Spring or Fall Class. 

 

What we are looking for in members of our classes:  dedication, commitment, empathy, client-centered advocacy, and zeal. 

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Our classes begin their time at OPD by participating in an intensive two-week Gideon's Promise training program.  For the first three years at OPD, our attorneys come back together every 6 months with the members of their class for more training and team-building. 

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Placement

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OPD works really hard to ensure our placement process is collaborative.  During the hiring process, applicants indicate which jurisdictions they are interested in being considered for as well as rank their preferences.  Offers will only be extended for jurisdictions for which the candidate indicated they wanted to be considered. 

 

Timing

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Spring Class: OPD typically begins accepting applications for the Spring Class in proceeding September.  Offers are extended in the winter.  Candidates must be members of the bar one month prior to the start date (end of February, or early March), but need not be a member of the bar at the time of application.

 

Fall Class: OPD recruits for the Fall Class in two waves.  We begin accepting applications in September with a limited amount of offers extended in the winter. We begin accepting applications again in March with offers being extended in the summer.  Candidates must be members of the bar one month prior to the start date (early September) but need not be a member of the bar at the time of application. 

 

Third-Year Law Students: OPD recruits law students for post-graduate attorney positions in the Fall of their 3L year.  Selected candidates join OPD as trial attorneys in January following their graduation.  Offers are extended in the winter and are conditioned upon membership in the Maryland Bar prior to the start date.  Selected attorneys will attend training with the other members of the Spring Class.

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Apply

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Spring Class 2024: Now accepting applications. Click here to learn more. Selected candidates will join OPD by February 21, 2024, and attend training from February 21, 2024, to March 11, 2024.

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Current 3L's: Applications for current 3Ls to join OPD in January 2025 is now available. Click here to apply.

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Fall Class 2024: Now accepting applications. Candidates will join OPD by August 07, 2024. All selected candidates are required to attend training from August 12, 2024, to August 26, 2024.