Public Defense Attorney

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) seeks attorneys who want to be a part of the fight on behalf of our clients. Our attorneys work in teams that include skilled investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and other support staff to provide client-centered representation.

As a DPD Attorney, you will have:

• Opportunities for trial experience with the support of experienced supervisors.
• Opportunities to work in multiple practice areas and to learn a variety of case types.
• Access to expert service and witnesses.
• Access to in-house and national trainings.
• A flexible work schedule with the opportunity to telecommute.

WHY JOIN DPD?
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.SCOPE OF JOB DUTIES: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the following:

• Provide competent legal representation to and advocacy for indigent clients including with individuals who lack English proficiency.
• Handle all aspects of representation, from arraignment through trial and, if necessary, sentencing, and post-trial; conduct plea and other negotiations and mitigation.
• Engage in motions practice involving research, writing, and arguing pretrial motions, including working with, and preparing experts in various fields.
• Work with a diverse client base who may be experiencing traumatic mental illness, drug addiction, or other systemic issues.
• Develop and implement legal strategies and properly assess and address client needs, which may include partnering with investigators, mitigation specialists, and paralegals.

Detailed specifics of job duties are assigned by case type and division. WE ARE LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO:

• Can execute trial, research, and writing skills.
• Can provide client-driven representation that includes frequent and detailed communication with the client, choosing the most effective medium for the client.
• Champion equity and social justice; understand pervasive, systematic racism and its long-term effects; feels comfortable engaging in candid and sincere conversations with all interested parties about race and equity in our work.
• Possess excellentcommunication skills. Can effectively communicate to all interested parties their analysis either spoken or in writing.
• Can manage a high caseload in a fast-paced environment.
• Feel comfortable working with diverse clients (race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, and national origin).

In addition, it is highly desirable if you:

• Have proficiency in languages other than English, particularly Spanish.
• Possess clinical training in public defense.
• Have lived experience involving the criminal legal system shared by DPDs clients.

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

• 100% premium paid healthcare plans
• Paid new admittee and annual renewal fees for Washington State Bar Association
• Paid Orca Card allowing multiple transportation options to/from the office
• On-Site exercise facilities and bike storage
• Paid vacation time (in addition to paid holidays)
• Twelve paid holidays and Two Additional personal holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Deferred compensation plan
• Employer Contributions to state pension plan
• Awesome Employee Giving Program

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?
This opportunity to join DPD is open to all applicants.

The following items are required to process your application:

1. King County application. www.kingcounty.gov/jobs.
2. Cover letter addressing the following topic: What does being a public defender mean to you? How does your experience and background assist you in achieving results for your clients?
3. Resume.
4. Legal writing sample, such as a brief, motion, letter on behalf of a client, etc.

This recruitment will be used to fill current Career Service vacancies. This recruitment will be used to fill any vacancies over the next 6 months.

If you have questions, please contact our Talent Advisors at [email protected].

To accept this role, you must:

• Possess a J.D. from an accredited law school or any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work (Current law students must apply through a separate posting designated for those who intend to take the bar. This posting will be available in August 2024).
• Be admitted to Washington State Bar Association or licensing in other states qualifying for a license under Rule 8.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Handle on-call 24-hour coverage which, per attorney, currently occurs approximately one week a year or two Saturday calendars a year.
• Maintain a valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to travel throughout King County.

WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:
DPD employees enjoy a flexible, hybrid in-office/telecommute workplace structure, and attorneys should expect to work both in the office and remotely, while being required to report to other locations, such as court, jail facilities, and hospitals/treatment centers throughout the county.

DPD prioritizes frequent and robust client contact and in-person court presence.

Rotations of work location and practice area are an essential function and can occur based on business need. Placements may be made to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.

This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and some night and weekend work is required.

DPD Policies
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to applicants, 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 applicants, 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 represented by Service Employees International Union, Local 925.

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.

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.