Public Defense Attorney I

THIS POSITION IS OPEN FOR CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT

The department reserves the right to close this position and/or make updates to the position description below as deemed necessary. The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking dedicated Public Defense Attorneys who are passionate about advocating for our clients. Our collaborative approach means that you’ll work alongside skilled investigators, mitigation specialist, paralegals, and other committed support staff, ensuring that we provide exceptional, client-centered representation. These standards assign greater weight to more serious charges, resulting in lower caseload limits for defenders handling complex or severe offenses. They are designed to ensure that DPD attorneys have the time and capacity to fully investigate and litigate every client’s case. DPD also believes these standards—together with the robust training and support all staff receive—will enable public defenders and legal professionals to build long, sustainable careers providing high-quality representation to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. While it will take multiple years to reach full implementation of the revised caseload standards, DPD has been instrumental in advocating for this change and is committed to full implementation. DPD is a leader on caseload standards nationally and has also provided technical support to other offices on this topic. DPD may reimburse successful applicants for the New Admittee License Fee (up to $475 depending on status and admission date) WSBA Non-Exam Application Fees (ranges from $595-$970 depending on application type) and the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) investigation fee (ranges from $120-$925 depending on legal background). As a DPD attorney, you’ll enjoy: Competitive Pay. comprehensive benefits package, including a pension. Support from a unionized workplace. A chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those navigating the criminal and civil legal systems. Extensive courtroom and trial experience, supported by a team that includes supervisors, investigators, paralegals, legal assistants, and mitigation specialists. Opportunities to work across multiple practice areas, including adult criminal, juvenile, dependency, and involuntary commitment courts. Resources to mount a robust defense, including funding for expert witnesses. Access to mentoring and high-quality training, both in-house and through national programs. Caseloads, among the most sustainable in the country, grounded in a phased case-weight model based on national research. Generous vacation and sick leave to support attorney well-being and career sustainability. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following: Provide high-quality legal representation and advocacy for indigent clients, including individuals with limited English proficiency and those with disabilities. Handle all stages of representation—from arraignment through trial, and when necessary, sentencing and select post-conviction motions—under DPD’s vertical model of public defense, which ensures continuity of representation by the same attorney throughout the case. Conduct plea negotiations, mitigation, and other case resolution strategies. Engage in motions practice, including legal research, drafting, and arguing pretrial motions, often in collaboration with expert witnesses. Represent and advocate for a diverse client base, including individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or trauma. Develop and implement effective legal strategies that address both legal and client‑centered needs, in collaboration with investigators, mitigation specialists, and paralegals. Please note that specific duties may vary based on case type and division. Required Qualifications: Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, OR completed WSBA’s Rule 6 Law Clerk Program (current law students should apply through a separate posting designated for those intending to take the bar, available August 2026). Admission to the Washington State Bar Association or licensure in another state that qualifies you for a license under Admission and Practice Rule (APR) 8(f) House Counsel. WSBA rules permit lawyers licensed in any other U.S. state to apply for admission to the Washington bar by motion. Minimum age of 21. Availability for on‑call 24‑hour coverage, currently requiring approximately one week per year or two Saturday calendars annually. Valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to travel throughout King County. Desired Qualifications: At least two years of criminal or civil practice that includes motion and trial practice. Proficiency in languages other than English, particularly Spanish. Clinical training in public defense. Lived experience related to the criminal legal system that resonates with DPD’s clients. Knowledge Of: Performance Guidelines for Criminal Defense Representation approved by the Washington State Bar Association Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures including: Washington State Criminal Code. Washington State Court Rules of Evidence. Washington State Court Rules. Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct. Performance Guidelines for Juvenile Defense Representation approved by the Washington State Bar Association. Performance Guidelines for Attorneys Representing Respondents in Civil Commitment Proceedings approved by the Washington State Bar Association. Ability To: Execute strong trial, research, and writing skills. Provide client‑centered representation, ensuring frequent and effective communication using the most suitable medium for each client. Provide excellent customer service, including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, who may be experiencing stress, trauma, and/or suffering from mental illness. Champion equity and social justice, demonstrating an understanding of systematic racism and its long‑term effects. Engage in open and sincere discussions about race and equity in our work. Communicate effectively with all internal and external partners, articulating analysis clearly in both spoken and written forms. Manage the needs of many clients in a deadline‑driven environment. Work with a diverse clientele, respecting differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, and national origin. Maintain all continuing legal education requirements as set forth by the Washington State Bar Association, with special emphasis on criminal defense. (Note: All DPD employees receive access to more than enough free CLE courses to meet this requirement at no cost, though individual attorneys are responsible for ensuring they remain current with continuing education requirements.) King County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance. This recruitment will be used to fill current Career Service vacancies and may also fill any vacancies over the next six months. Selection Process Materials will be reviewed for qualifications, and the most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a panel interview process. Applicants may be required to demonstrate their qualifications at the time of the interview and/or skills assessment. Personnel file reviews and references may be conducted for the most competitive candidates prior to a placement decision. Work Schedule and Location The Public Defense Attorney I team works in a hybrid model, with an in‑office minimum of three (3) days or more per week. During the probationary period, employees are required to work onsite four (4) days per week. Onsite reporting requirements are based on operational needs. Public Defense Attorneys may be required to travel to various locations throughout King County, including courts, jails, hospitals and treatment centers. If assigned to the civil commitment unit, you will primarily report to hospitals and treatment centers across the county. Because DPD prioritizes robust client contact and in‑person court presence, work locations and reporting requirements may change to meet these priorities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Rotation of work location, practice area, and workflow is an essential function of this position and may occur as needed to support operations. You may be assigned to any of our Seattle or Kent offices: Dexter Horton Building – 710 Second Avenue, Seattle Jefferson Street Building – 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle Ninth & Jefferson Building – 908 Jefferson Street, Seattle Meeker Street Building – 420 West Harrison Street, Kent Kent Professional Center – 124 4th Avenue South, Kent Redmond District Court – 8601 160th Ave NE, Redmond This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As an exempt employee, you are expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform your job and will not be eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time. DPD Policies DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division. Outside Work Policy for Attorneys will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer. Union Membership This position is proudly represented by Service Employees International Union, Local 925, and interested applicants can review the collective labor agreement for more information. Click here and filter by union code, A8, A8A. Probationary Period Career Service Public Defense Attorneys I shall be employed in a probationary status for a period of twelve (12) months. In no event shall an employee become a member of the career service without successfully completing a probation period. King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us. King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action‑oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Valueshereand visit our Why work at King County page here. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. #J-18808-Ljbffr King County