Public Defense Attorney I

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.

TheKing 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 youll work alongside skilled investigators mitigation specialist paralegals and other committed support staff ensuring that we provide exceptional client-centered representation.

These standards assign greater weight to more serious charges resulting in lower caseload limits for defenders handling complex or severe offenses. They are designed to ensure that DPD attorneys have the time and capacity to fully investigate and litigate every clients case. DPD also believes these standardstogether with the robust training and support all staff receivewill enable public defenders and legal professionals to build long sustainable careers providing high-quality representation to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
While it will take multiple years to reach full implementation of the revised caseload standards DPD has been instrumental in advocating for this change and is committed to full implementation. DPD is a leader on caseload standards nationally and has also provided technical support to other offices on this topic.

As a DPD attorney youll 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 that includes 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 among the most sustainable in the country grounded in a phased case-weight model based on national research.
• Generous vacation and sick leave to support attorney well-being and career sustainability.

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

• Provide high-quality legal representation and advocacy for indigent clients including individuals with limited English proficiency and those with disabilities.
• Handle all stages of representationfrom arraignment through trial and when necessary sentencing and select post-conviction motionsunder DPDs vertical model of public defense which ensures 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:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school OR completed the WSBAs Rule 6 Law Clerk Program (current law students should apply through a separate posting designated for those intending to take the bar available August 2026).
• 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.
• 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 drivers 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 DPDs 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.)

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 make a difference Come join the teamdedicated to serving one of the nations best places to live work and play. This opportunity is open to all qualified applicants. To process your application please provide the following items:

1. A complete King County application (available at including your bar license information under the Certificates and Licenses section.
2. A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications knowledge and skills for the position.
3. A resume.
4. A legal writing sample such as a brief motion or client letter or .pdf format.

Work Schedule and Location
The Public Defense Attorney I team works in a hybrid model with an in-office minimum of three (3) days or more per week.During the probationary period employees are required to work onsite four (4) days per week.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.

• 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
• Redmond District Courtth Ave NE Redmond

Application Process
If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King Countys vision for unified equitable and high-performing government please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process please contact

King Countys Vision Mission and ACTIVATE Values unite us.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles engage directly with communities and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards embrace change stay curious and continuously improve. Across all interactions we listen first act quickly and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision Mission and ACTIVATE Valueshereand visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex race color national origin ethnicity religious affiliation disability sexual orientation gender identity or expression age except by minimum age and retirement provisions pregnancy status as a family caregiver parental status marital status military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the persons sexual orientation or gender identity or expression citizenship or immigration status genetic information or other protected class. However to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law regulation or government contract it is not an unfair practice.

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.