Summary
The King County Inquest Program is seeking two legal professionals to serve their communities in a groundbreaking initiative. Inquest Program Attorneys facilitate fair, transparent and equitable inquest proceedings by providing support and counsel to presiding Inquest Administrators, working with all parties to ensure that that that their views are heard in a complete and timely manner, and preparing and presenting evidence at public inquest hearings. Learn more about the Inquest Program here prior to applying - Inquest Program - King County.
Successful candidates will apply their knowledge of facilitation, legal practice fundamentals, complex evidence presentation and hearing procedure to facilitate an entire inquest proceeding, which includes preparing the inquest for presentation to a jury panel in accordance with laws and King County policy.
These two positions are fully-benefited, Term-Limited-Temporary assignments, lasting up to 3 years. This recruitment will also be used to create a pool for future Career Service (regular) and temporary positions pending program needs and budget approval. Special Duty assignment maybe offered for eligible King County employees.
Please contact Sr. HR Generalist, Josh Isgur at [email protected] with any questions regarding this opportunity.
Job Duties
- Assist presiding Inquest Administrators (IAs) as needed on multiple inquests.
- Review, organize and analyze all discovery for each assigned inquest. Propose methods to obtain further necessary discovery. Advise the IA and coordinate with those possessing such discovery so that the obtaining needed discovery does not delay the inquest. File petitions for compulsory discovery with Superior Court as authorized by applicable law if necessary.
- Consult and advise the IA on the proper scope of individual inquests in determining what facts, policies, trainings and legal duties the jury will consider. Consistent with that scope, propose evidence and witnesses to be presented to the jury.
- Communicate IA proposals to the parties and ensure party input is received by the IA in a timely and complete manner.
- Conduct meet and confer sessions with counsel for all parties to ensure an efficient process, ensure that relevant issues are resolved in a timely manner.
- Manage case schedule to insure that final determinations are made with the benefit of party input.
- Propose and facilitate formal Pre-Hearing Conferences, designing agendas that ensure the IA will decide issues on which consensus cannot be reached in a timely and informed manner.
- Draft, review, and collaborate with the IA to prepare correspondence, Orders, Voir Dire questions, Jury Instructions, Interrogatories and related documents containing IA decisions and incorporating party input.
- Interpret all applicable legal authority including Constitutions, Charters, Laws, Administrative Codes and case law. Advise the IA on their effects and prepare and conduct inquest hearings within their requirements.
- Locate, prepare and examine all witnesses called at inquest hearings, including experts in various fields (i.e. forensics, forensic ballistics, pathology, medical, etc.).
- Prepare and perform the direct examination of each witness at the Inquest Hearing.
- Communicate and effectively maintain positive work relationships with diverse peers, including IAs, attorneys appearing in and parties to the inquest, the Inquest Program Manager, county organizational units, communities, and agencies.
- Present facts and recommendations in a clear, concise, and logical manner both orally and in writing.
- Work with Inquest Program Manager to ensure hearing exhibits and official documents are properly identified and maintained as part of the permanent record.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree is required for this position. Additional required skills include:
Experience managing complex case-loads with extensive discovery and developing and maintaining appropriate records, logs and case files.
Experience presenting complex evidence in a complete, organized and trauma-informed manner.
Ability to present thorough and concise oral and written reports.
Strong work ethic and commitment to working effectively in a team environment.
Strong commitment to Equity and Social Justice (ESJ), including working on personal cultural competency.
Proficient in using an office productivity suite and virtual meeting and conferencing tools. The County uses Microsoft Office 365, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
Well-developed human relations skill to gain trust while working with others in difficult situations.
Ability to organize, facilitate, and carry out complex court or administrative hearing process.
Ability to maintain order in hearings, remain fair and impartial with decisions, and to properly handle private and confidential communication.
Skill in handling multiple competing priorities, sensitive situations, and crisis situations and functioning well under time pressure.
Ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
Willingness to perform other duties in support of a small team outside core job duties when needs arise.
Supplemental Information
Additional Requirements
Candidates must be a member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association prior to an offer of employment.
Candidates must be able to work variable schedules and travel to hearing locations in Seattle and Kent, WA.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
The recruitment for this position is open to all applicants. A King County application is required. We highly encourage applicants to include a resume and letter of interest with your submission.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Josh Isgur, at [email protected].
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