King County
Overview
DPD is recruiting 3rd year law students, judicial clerks, and fellows to begin employment Fall 2026. The Department of Public Defense (DPD) seeks thoughtful, creative, energetic advocates to join our dynamic and diverse team which includes attorneys, mitigation specialists, investigators, paralegals, and legal administrators who collaborate to advance our clients’ goals. DPD hires client-centered advocates and prefers applicants who have participated in a law school clinical program, interned for a public defender program, or who have lived experience in the criminal legal or family surveillance systems.
WHY JOIN DPD?
DPD is a well-resourced public defense agency in a state that was the first to adopt new caseload standards grounded in the National Public Defense Workload Study (RAND). In July 2025, we began implementing the first phase of a case-weight credit model designed to promote sustainable workloads and ensure that every client receives the time and attention their case requires. Felony cases are assigned between 1 and 8 credits based on the seriousness of the alleged offense, with a first-year cap of 110 credits. This marks the beginning of a multi-year phased reduction process aimed at helping public defenders meet their constitutional and ethical obligations to each client.
Our model is based on the Washington State Bar Association’s Standards for Indigent Defense Services (revised September 2024), which apply to both criminal and family defense. The goal is to create conditions where public defenders can consistently provide the level of representation the Constitution demands—while building sustainable and fulfilling careers in service to our clients and communities.
DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients facing felony or misdemeanor charges in adult or juvenile court, loss of family integrity in dependency and termination cases, and petitions for involuntary commitment because of alleged mental illness or substance abuse. We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty and disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Internally, we strive to foster a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive—grounded in a shared commitment to anti-oppression principles and equity across lines of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, class, and other identities.
To learn more about DPD, visit our website.
As a DPD Attorney, you will enjoy
Competitive Pay
A comprehensive benefits package, including a pension
Support from a unionized workplace
A chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those navigating the criminal and civil legal systems
Extensive courtroom and trial experience, supported by a team of supervisors, investigators, paralegals, legal assistants, and mitigation specialists
Opportunities to work across multiple practice areas, including adult criminal, juvenile, dependency, and involuntary commitment courts
Resources to mount a robust defense, including funding for expert witnesses
Access to mentoring and high-quality training, both in-house and through national programs
Caseloads grounded in a phased case-weight model based on national research
Generous vacation and sick leave to support attorney well-being and career sustainability
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 select post-conviction motions—under DPD’s vertical model of public defense, ensuring continuity of representation by the same attorney throughout the case
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 that address both legal and client-centered needs, in collaboration with investigators, mitigation specialists, and paralegals
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
JD from an accredited law school
Sit for the Washington State Bar Examination in July 2026 or, for clerks and fellows, admission to the bar in Washington or another state that would enable qualification under Rule 8
Be at least 21 years old
Be able to handle on-call 24-hour coverage, which currently occurs approximately one week a year or two Saturday calendars a year
Have the ability to travel throughout King County
ABILITY TO
Develop trial, research, and writing skills. Provide client-driven representation that includes frequent and detailed communication with the client, choosing the most effective medium for the client
Champion equity and human rights; understand pervasive, systematic racism and its long-term effects; engage in candid conversations about race and equity in our work
Manage the competing needs of multiple clients in a fast-paced environment
Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing stress, trauma, or mental illness, while providing respectful and client-centered representation
Thrive in a diverse work environment, respecting differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, and national origin
Additional desirables
Proficiency in languages other than English, particularly Spanish
Clinical training in public defense
Lived experience as someone impacted by the criminal legal system or family surveillance system
Candidates hired through this recruitment will be considered by DPD for initial salary placement at Steps 3 through 4 ($103,272.25 - $118,237.19), dependent upon experience.
At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values
Our True North is to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
King County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, and opportunities for growth and development. Our focus is to provide work-life balance.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY? The following items are required to process your application
Online application at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs (employment history should cover all relevant experience)
A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills
A resume
A short self-authored writing sample (in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format)
Who May Apply
Attorney - 3rd-Year Law Student:
Candidates graduating between December 2025 and June 2026
Fellow/Clerk:
Attorney applicants engaged in legal fellowships or clerkships
Application Process
If selected for an interview, you may choose to be interviewed in person or via video conference. This recruitment may be used to fill current and/or future career service positions in any of the Department's four divisions and/or office locations in King County.
If you have any questions, please contact our Talent Advisors at
dpd-hr@kingcounty.gov .
WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) offers a supportive and inclusive workplace. Onsite reporting requirements are based on operational needs. Public Defense Attorneys may be required to travel to various locations throughout King County, including courts, jails, hospitals and treatment centers. Rotation of work location, practice area, and workflow is an essential function of this position and may occur as needed to support operations. 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
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. 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 employees, requiring supervisor and Managing Attorney approval before engaging in outside employment for compensation or volunteer. This position is represented by Service Employees International Union, Local 925. For more information, please review the collective labor agreement.
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, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.
To Apply: If you are interested, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or require accommodations, contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
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 experience, education, skills, and abilities. King County offers a comprehensive benefits package including 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. See the summary of benefits for details.
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DPD is recruiting 3rd year law students, judicial clerks, and fellows to begin employment Fall 2026. The Department of Public Defense (DPD) seeks thoughtful, creative, energetic advocates to join our dynamic and diverse team which includes attorneys, mitigation specialists, investigators, paralegals, and legal administrators who collaborate to advance our clients’ goals. DPD hires client-centered advocates and prefers applicants who have participated in a law school clinical program, interned for a public defender program, or who have lived experience in the criminal legal or family surveillance systems.
WHY JOIN DPD?
DPD is a well-resourced public defense agency in a state that was the first to adopt new caseload standards grounded in the National Public Defense Workload Study (RAND). In July 2025, we began implementing the first phase of a case-weight credit model designed to promote sustainable workloads and ensure that every client receives the time and attention their case requires. Felony cases are assigned between 1 and 8 credits based on the seriousness of the alleged offense, with a first-year cap of 110 credits. This marks the beginning of a multi-year phased reduction process aimed at helping public defenders meet their constitutional and ethical obligations to each client.
Our model is based on the Washington State Bar Association’s Standards for Indigent Defense Services (revised September 2024), which apply to both criminal and family defense. The goal is to create conditions where public defenders can consistently provide the level of representation the Constitution demands—while building sustainable and fulfilling careers in service to our clients and communities.
DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients facing felony or misdemeanor charges in adult or juvenile court, loss of family integrity in dependency and termination cases, and petitions for involuntary commitment because of alleged mental illness or substance abuse. We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty and disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Internally, we strive to foster a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive—grounded in a shared commitment to anti-oppression principles and equity across lines of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, class, and other identities.
To learn more about DPD, visit our website.
As a DPD Attorney, you will enjoy
Competitive Pay
A comprehensive benefits package, including a pension
Support from a unionized workplace
A chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those navigating the criminal and civil legal systems
Extensive courtroom and trial experience, supported by a team of supervisors, investigators, paralegals, legal assistants, and mitigation specialists
Opportunities to work across multiple practice areas, including adult criminal, juvenile, dependency, and involuntary commitment courts
Resources to mount a robust defense, including funding for expert witnesses
Access to mentoring and high-quality training, both in-house and through national programs
Caseloads grounded in a phased case-weight model based on national research
Generous vacation and sick leave to support attorney well-being and career sustainability
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 select post-conviction motions—under DPD’s vertical model of public defense, ensuring continuity of representation by the same attorney throughout the case
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 that address both legal and client-centered needs, in collaboration with investigators, mitigation specialists, and paralegals
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
JD from an accredited law school
Sit for the Washington State Bar Examination in July 2026 or, for clerks and fellows, admission to the bar in Washington or another state that would enable qualification under Rule 8
Be at least 21 years old
Be able to handle on-call 24-hour coverage, which currently occurs approximately one week a year or two Saturday calendars a year
Have the ability to travel throughout King County
ABILITY TO
Develop trial, research, and writing skills. Provide client-driven representation that includes frequent and detailed communication with the client, choosing the most effective medium for the client
Champion equity and human rights; understand pervasive, systematic racism and its long-term effects; engage in candid conversations about race and equity in our work
Manage the competing needs of multiple clients in a fast-paced environment
Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing stress, trauma, or mental illness, while providing respectful and client-centered representation
Thrive in a diverse work environment, respecting differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, and national origin
Additional desirables
Proficiency in languages other than English, particularly Spanish
Clinical training in public defense
Lived experience as someone impacted by the criminal legal system or family surveillance system
Candidates hired through this recruitment will be considered by DPD for initial salary placement at Steps 3 through 4 ($103,272.25 - $118,237.19), dependent upon experience.
At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values
Our True North is to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
King County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, and opportunities for growth and development. Our focus is to provide work-life balance.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY? The following items are required to process your application
Online application at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs (employment history should cover all relevant experience)
A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills
A resume
A short self-authored writing sample (in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format)
Who May Apply
Attorney - 3rd-Year Law Student:
Candidates graduating between December 2025 and June 2026
Fellow/Clerk:
Attorney applicants engaged in legal fellowships or clerkships
Application Process
If selected for an interview, you may choose to be interviewed in person or via video conference. This recruitment may be used to fill current and/or future career service positions in any of the Department's four divisions and/or office locations in King County.
If you have any questions, please contact our Talent Advisors at
dpd-hr@kingcounty.gov .
WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) offers a supportive and inclusive workplace. Onsite reporting requirements are based on operational needs. Public Defense Attorneys may be required to travel to various locations throughout King County, including courts, jails, hospitals and treatment centers. Rotation of work location, practice area, and workflow is an essential function of this position and may occur as needed to support operations. 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
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. 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 employees, requiring supervisor and Managing Attorney approval before engaging in outside employment for compensation or volunteer. This position is represented by Service Employees International Union, Local 925. For more information, please review the collective labor agreement.
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, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.
To Apply: If you are interested, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or require accommodations, contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
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 experience, education, skills, and abilities. King County offers a comprehensive benefits package including 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. See the summary of benefits for details.
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