What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Defense Attorney position at King County?

Salary

103,272.25 - $163,621.09 Annually

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs / week

Job Number

2025AR23554

Department

DPD - Dept of Public Defense

Opening Date

01 / 19 / 2025

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

A8A : SEIU L925-DPD-Attorney

Full- or Part-Time

Full Time

Hours / Week

40 hours / week

Summary

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 Department of Public Defense (DPD) participates in King County's referral program. Refer to the supplemental questions for additional information.

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 :

Competitive Pay.
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 fairness 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 .

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following :

Provide competent legal representation and advocacy for indigent clients, including those with limited English proficiency.

Oversee all aspects of legal representation from arraignment through trial and, and if necessary, sentencing, and post-trial processes. This includes conducting plea negotiations and mitigation efforts.

Engage in motions practice, which involves researching, writing, and arguing pretrial motions, as well as preparing and collaborating with and preparing expert witnesses across various fields.

Serve a diverse client base, including individuals facing mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and other systemic issues.

Develop and implement effective legal strategies that address client needs, often in collaboration with investigators, mitigation specialists, and paralegals.

Please note that specific duties may vary based on case type and division.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

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 successful applicants for the WSBA Application Fee and the National Conference of Bar Examiners (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, 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.)

Supplemental Information

WHY KING COUNTY?

At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to : Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

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 the Department of Public Defense (DPD) is open to all qualified applicants. To process your application, please provide the following items :

A complete King County application (available at www.kingcounty.gov / jobs ) including your bar license information under the "Certificates and Licenses" section.

A cover letter addressing : What does being a public defender mean to you? How do your experiences and background help you achieve results for your clients?

A resume.

A legal writing sample, such as a brief, motion, or client letter.

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.

If you have questions, please reach out to our Talent Advisors at dpd-hr@kingcounty.gov .

WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION

DPD employees enjoy a flexible, hybrid workplace that includes both in-office and telecommuting options. Attorneys should expect to work in the office and remotely, as well as report to various locations, including court, jail facilities, and hospitals / treatment centers throughout the county.

We prioritize frequent and robust client contact and in-person court presence. Onsite reporting requirements are determined by the departments operational needs and may be adjusted accordingly.

Rotations of work location and practice area and / or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need.

DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations :

Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle.

Jefferson Street Building, 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle.

Meeker Street Building, 420 West Harrison Street, Kent.

This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This position is expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform the job, and some night and weekend work is required.

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.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

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.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs :

Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options : King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents

Life and disability insurance : employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents

Retirement : eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan

Transportation program and ORCA transit pass

12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays

Generous vacation and paid sick leave

Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves

Flexible Spending Account

Wellness programs

Onsite activity centers

Employee Giving Program

Employee assistance programs

Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position

Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE : Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and / or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

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Salary : $103,272 - $163,621

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