King County, WA
Overview
The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking dedicated Public Defense Attorneys who are passionate about advocating for our clients. You’ll work with investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and other support staff to provide exceptional, client-centered representation. DPD is implementing new caseload standards based on the National Public Defense Workload Study (RAND) with phased implementation to allow thorough investigation and litigation and to support a sustainable career in public defense. DPD is the best-resourced public defense agency in the state adopting phased caseload standards and providing training and support to its staff to ensure high-quality representation for vulnerable clients. Responsibilities
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 post-conviction motions—under DPD’s vertical model of public defense, ensuring continuity of representation by the same attorney. 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 addressing both legal and client-centered needs, in collaboration with investigators, mitigation specialists, and paralegals. Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, or an equivalent 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 elsewhere to apply for admission by motion; DPD will reimburse the WSBA application fee and NCBE investigation fee. Minimum age of 21. Availability for on-call 24-hour coverage, approximately one week per year or two Saturdays annually. Valid Washington State driver’s license or ability to travel throughout King County. Desired Qualifications
At least two years of criminal or civil practice that includes motion and trial work. 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
Performance Guidelines for Criminal Defense Representation (Washington State Bar Association) Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, 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; Performance Guidelines for Attorneys Representing Respondents in Civil Commitment Proceedings. Ability To
Execute strong trial, research, and writing skills. Provide client-centered representation with frequent and effective communication tailored to each client. Provide excellent customer service to people from diverse backgrounds, including those under stress or suffering from trauma or mental illness. Champion equity and social justice and engage in discussions about race and equity in our work. Communicate effectively with internal and external partners, in spoken and written forms. Manage a large, diverse caseload in a deadline-driven environment. Respect differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, and national origin. Maintain continuing legal education requirements as set by the WSBA, with emphasis on criminal defense. Work Schedule, Location
The Department of Public Defense may require onsite reporting based on operational needs and travel to various locations across 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. Work location and reporting may change to meet priorities. 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. Salary and Benefits
King County offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; retirement and deferred compensation; transit program; paid holidays; vacation and sick leave; parental, family, and medical leaves; flexible spending accounts; wellness programs; and opportunities for training and career development. How to Apply
A complete King County application (available at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs) including your bar license information; a cover letter no more than two pages summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills; a resume; and a legal writing sample (in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format) are required. This recruitment will be used to fill current Career Service vacancies and may also fill vacancies over the next six months. Equal Employment Opportunity
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 recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.
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The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking dedicated Public Defense Attorneys who are passionate about advocating for our clients. You’ll work with investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and other support staff to provide exceptional, client-centered representation. DPD is implementing new caseload standards based on the National Public Defense Workload Study (RAND) with phased implementation to allow thorough investigation and litigation and to support a sustainable career in public defense. DPD is the best-resourced public defense agency in the state adopting phased caseload standards and providing training and support to its staff to ensure high-quality representation for vulnerable clients. Responsibilities
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 post-conviction motions—under DPD’s vertical model of public defense, ensuring continuity of representation by the same attorney. 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 addressing both legal and client-centered needs, in collaboration with investigators, mitigation specialists, and paralegals. Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, or an equivalent 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 elsewhere to apply for admission by motion; DPD will reimburse the WSBA application fee and NCBE investigation fee. Minimum age of 21. Availability for on-call 24-hour coverage, approximately one week per year or two Saturdays annually. Valid Washington State driver’s license or ability to travel throughout King County. Desired Qualifications
At least two years of criminal or civil practice that includes motion and trial work. 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
Performance Guidelines for Criminal Defense Representation (Washington State Bar Association) Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, 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; Performance Guidelines for Attorneys Representing Respondents in Civil Commitment Proceedings. Ability To
Execute strong trial, research, and writing skills. Provide client-centered representation with frequent and effective communication tailored to each client. Provide excellent customer service to people from diverse backgrounds, including those under stress or suffering from trauma or mental illness. Champion equity and social justice and engage in discussions about race and equity in our work. Communicate effectively with internal and external partners, in spoken and written forms. Manage a large, diverse caseload in a deadline-driven environment. Respect differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, and national origin. Maintain continuing legal education requirements as set by the WSBA, with emphasis on criminal defense. Work Schedule, Location
The Department of Public Defense may require onsite reporting based on operational needs and travel to various locations across 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. Work location and reporting may change to meet priorities. 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. Salary and Benefits
King County offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; retirement and deferred compensation; transit program; paid holidays; vacation and sick leave; parental, family, and medical leaves; flexible spending accounts; wellness programs; and opportunities for training and career development. How to Apply
A complete King County application (available at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs) including your bar license information; a cover letter no more than two pages summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills; a resume; and a legal writing sample (in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format) are required. This recruitment will be used to fill current Career Service vacancies and may also fill vacancies over the next six months. Equal Employment Opportunity
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 recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.
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