Public Defense Attorney

THIS POSITION IS OPEN FOR CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) of King County 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 specialists, paralegals, and other committed support staff, ensuring that we provide exceptional, client-centered representation. DPD is one of the most well-resourced public defense agencies and has adopted new caseload standards for public defenders based on the National Public Defense Workload Study and approved by the Washington State Bar Association in 2024. 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 give attorneys the time and capacity to fully investigate and litigate every client’s case and to build long, sustainable careers providing high-quality representation to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. As a DPD attorney, you’ll enjoy: Competitive pay A 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

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 Required Qualifications Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, or a combination of experience, education, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the job duties. (Current law students should apply through a separate posting for those intending to take the bar.) Admission to the Washington State Bar Association or licensure in another state that allows admission under Admission and Practice Rule (APR) 8(f) House Counsel. DPD will reimburse successful applicants for the Washington bar application fee and NCBE investigation fee. 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, and policies, including the 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, and Performance Guidelines for Attorneys Representing Respondents in Civil Commitment Proceedings 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 systemic racism and its long‑term effects, and engaging 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. (DDP employees receive free CLE courses; attorneys are responsible for ensuring they remain current.) Work Schedule and Location The Department of Public Defense (DPD) offers a supportive and inclusive workplace. On‑site 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. 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. 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 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. Interested applicants can review the collective labor agreement for more information. EEO Statement No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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. Salary and Benefits In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, this salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. King County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance for employees and dependents; retirement and deferred compensation. For additional information, please review the detailed summary of benefits offered by King County. #J-18808-Ljbffr King-County,-W