Family Law Legal Assistant

Legal Assistant PositionThis posting will remain open until filled and may close at any time without prior notice. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on August 12, 2026, will be given priority consideration.King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking interested applicants for all vacancies that become available as Legal Assistants in any of our four divisions. The ideal candidates will be able to exercise good independent judgment, and apply office guidelines, legal procedures, work methods, court rules, and applicable laws.This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies as Career Service, Term-Limited Temporary (TLT), or Special Duty Assignments (SDA). This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility pool to fill any vacancies that may occur over the next 6 months. Applications will be reviewed, and selections made as vacancies as occur.WHY JOIN DPD? The Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), sex offender commitment, and inquests. We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal legal system and civil legal systems that restrict our clients' liberty and to address systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our website.Job DutiesESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:Performs a wide range of advanced administrative duties, both in the office and remotely, and word processing of complex and/or confidential materials, requiring independent judgment, initiative, and timeliness on assignments that are sensitive in nature in accordance with department procedures.Identifies, in both initial and follow up discovery, prior division involvement with individuals listed/present in discovery and pass on detailed descriptions of those prior involvements to attorney or attorney supervisor for conflict analysis.Opens and distributes cases to assigned attorneys.Maintains Master Court Calendar with supervisor and attorney supervisor.Verifies monthly reports, close client case files and process closed files daily.Obtains criminal history information from jails or prisons via telephone, email, or regular mail.Maintains professional and accurate records, both in the office and remotely, including confidential reports and information, both in electronic and written format within established deadlines and in accordance with department procedures.Accurately docket and enter case assignment information, following case management system docketing work procedures.Process debits and credits daily into case management system.Request case credit and assignments from the Director's Office.Provide excellent customer service, both in the office and remotely, as the first line of contact with DPD clients.Demonstrates the ability to be onsite at the work locations at least three days a week in any of DPD's office locations (Seattle and Kent). Location assignments are changeable; work location may include more than one office location over the course of a week and may change over the course of employment.Demonstrates and practices cultural sensitivity when engaging a diverse population.Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates empathy with DPD's clients many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness, via the phone and in-person.Reliably answers and returns calls, providing the DPD community authentic support and demonstrating a willingness to assist them.Monitors and responds to voicemail and email messages.Greets clients and visitors upon arrival to the office, ensuring guests are comfortable and are connected with the correct office personnel.Provides clear and reassuring communication to DPD clients.Request discovery from other agencies.Review case assignments with the attorney supervisor.Organize office supplies.The Department reserves the right to assign additional duties in support of DPD's mission. Detailed specifics of job duties are assigned by case type and division.Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, SkillsREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Have demonstrated experience as an office or administrative assistant. Prior work in a legal setting and criminal legal system is a plus.Must be able to lift/move up to 20-pound boxes.Must have a Washington State Driver's License or ability to travel to required destinations around King County.KNOWLEDGE OF:Spelling, grammar, and vocabulary skills.Advanced office equipment and software programs.Legal procedures, work methods, court rules, and applicable laws.ABILITY TO:Provide excellent customer service, including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, who may be experiencing stress, trauma, and/or suffering from mental illness.Use office productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, and Outlook) document management, and Internet search engines.Apply procedures, policies, and guidelines.Adapt to ever changing work needs and requirements.Learn new and/or increasing complex duties.Work in a fast-paced, and multifaceted environment with high attention to detail.The following qualifications are a plus:Have lived experience involving the criminal legal system.Knowledge of Superior Court Management Information System (SCOMIS), Judicial Information System (JIS), and Electronic Case Records (ECR).Fluency in a foreign language.Supplemental InformationWHY KING COUNTY? 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.ARE YOU READY TO APPLY? This opportunity to join DPD is open to all applicants. Please apply at This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies as Career Service, Term-Limited Temporary (TLT), or Special Duty Assignments (SDA). This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility pool to fill any vacancies that may occur over the next 6 months. Applications will be reviewed, and selections made as vacancies as occur. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.To be considered for this role submit the following items:Completed King County application.A current resume (complete work and education history).Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment. Pay Upon Special Duty Placement Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Coalition Labor Agreement, or the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines for their base assignment. The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, references, a personnel file review going back the last three (3) years, and if applicable a background check. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience. If you have questions, please contact our Talent Advisors, at View email address on click.appcast.io Schedule and Location The Legal Assistant Team works in a hybrid model, with an onsite minimum of three (3) days per week. During the probationary period, employees are required to work onsite four (4) days per week. The ratio of telecommuting to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location for these positions may be Seattle or Kent.Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work