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Attorney Public Defender Attorney

Public Defense Attorney

Expires: 2025-02-03
Organization
King County Department of Public Defense
Salary
$97,888.39 - $155,09.08
Job Status
Full Time
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Seattle, WA

 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.

DPD is the best-resourced public defense agency in the first state to adopt new caseload standards for public defenders based on the National Public Defense Workload Study | RAND. These standards, adopted by the Washington State Bar Association in March 2024, limit public defenders in felony practice to 110 weighted case credits in 2025, 90 weighted case credits in 2026, and 47 weighted case credits annually by 2027. The new standards also weigh more serious charges with additional credit, leading to even lower limits for public defenders defending against more serious alleged offenses.

Throughout their phased-in implementation beginning in July 2025, these new caseload standards will afford DPD’s attorneys the time they need to fully investigate and litigate every client’s case. Just as importantly, we believe these standards – along with the training and support all our staff receive – will allow public defenders joining DPD to have a long, sustainable career providing representation they can be proud of to the most vulnerable members of our community.  DPD has already began implementing phase I standards a year in advance.  This shows DPD’s commitment to being a leader in the field of public defense.

As a DPD attorney, you’ll enjoy:

  • Pay comparable with county prosecutors.
  • A comprehensive benefits package, including a pension.
  • Support from a unionized workplace.
  • Robust funding for expert witnesses and ongoing training opportunities.

In this role you will:

  • Have training, mentorship, and hands-on trial experience under the guidance of experienced supervisors.
  • Have support in pursuing various litigation strategies including writs and interlocutory appeals.
  • Have opportunities to explore diverse practice areas and a wide variety of case types.
  • Have the ability to work with experts in different fields.
  • Participate in in-house and national training programs.
  • Have a flexible work schedule, including telecommuting options.

The Department’s Mission Statement

The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes justice and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity.

DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings. Learn more about our practice areas, here.

DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce 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.

In addition to annual step increases, this position will receive a general wage increase of 5.5 percent, effective 1/1/2025.

Requirements

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 designated for those intending to take the bar, available August 2025).
  • 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, and DPD will reimburse any associated expenses for successful applicants.
  • 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 practice and/or jury 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.)
Job Contact
Ana Ryseff
206-848-0267 dpd-hr@kingcounty.gov