Public Defenders

King County Department of Public Defense

The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) seeks talented, committed, and hard-working advocates with excellent trial, research, and writing skills to join our department. DPD practices in several areas, including felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), sex offender commitment, and contempt of court. The department also works to address racial disproportionality in the criminal legal system, the collateral consequences of system involvement, and other structural and/or systemic issues that undermine the rights of our clients and their communities. DPD employs not only attorneys, but also skilled investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and other support staff. Expert services are regularly funded, in keeping with state court rules. Successful applicants will have a passion for public defense, a demonstrated commitment to representing indigent persons, strong analytical, writing, and oral advocacy skills, and an ability to manage a caseload in a fast-paced environment.

DPD is currently seeking eight to 10 attorneys – both career service and term-limited temporary. Those hired will be assigned to work in one of DPD’s offices in Seattle or Kent.

Closing date: Aug. 12, 2019

Salary range: $66,069 - $129,640 DOE

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

The successful candidates for this position should possess the following qualifications:

·       J.D. from an accredited law school and a minimum of five years of experience providing high level project management and/or program coordination in a legal setting OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the job.

·       Demonstrated commitment to advocacy for disadvantaged individuals and/or to issues of economic, social, and racial justice.

·       Excellent demonstrated analytical, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.

·       Ability to manage a caseload in a fast-paced environment.

·       Admission to Washington State Bar Association or licensing in other states qualifying for a license under Rule 8.

·       A valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to travel throughout King County in a timely manner.

About the Department of Public Defense

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides legal representation to adults and juveniles who have been charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney, as well as people facing civil commitment, parents who could lose their children in a dependency petition, and people seeking to vacate a past felony or misdemeanor conviction. DPD works to address racial disproportionality in the criminal legal system, the collateral consequences of justice involvement, and other structural and systemic issues that undermine the rights of the criminally accused. It employs not only attorneys, but also skilled investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and other support staff. 
 
Expert services are regularly funded, in keeping with state court rules. King County public defense has also been a leader in the development of diversion alternatives to support clients who have entered or are at risk of entering the legal justice system due to drug involvement, mental illness, or other issues.

TO APPLY PLEASE VISIT KING COUNTY’S CAREERS WEBSITE