All wages listed in this posting are 2025 wage rates.
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) seeks thoughtful, creative, energetic advocates to join our dynamic and diverse team which includes a staff of over 400 includes attorneys, mitigation specialists, investigators, paralegals, and legal administrators who collaborate to advance our clients’ goals. DPD is recruiting 3rd year law students, judicial clerks, and fellows to begin employment in or before October 2025.
DPD prides itself on hiring client-centered advocates. We prefer 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?
The Department of Public Defense is in the process of implementing the Washington State Bar Association’s newly passed caseload standards. These standards, which DPD advocated for, call for public defenders to carry maximum caseloads far below any current standard in large metropolitan public defense agencies in the country. Once implemented, the standards will give attorneys at DPD the time they need to give each of their clients the zealous representation they deserve while ensuring public defense can be a sustainable career.
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 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.
As a DPD Attorney, you will have:
Opportunities for trial experience with the support of supervisors, investigators, paralegals, legal assistants, and mitigation specialists.
Opportunities to work in multiple practice areas and to learn a variety of case types.
Access to funding for expert witnesses.
Access to mentoring, and in-house and national trainings Opportunities for hybrid work.
Caseloads that are among the most manageable in the country.
JD from an accredited law school.
Sit for the Washington State Bar Examination in July 2025 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, per attorney, currently occurs approximately one week a year or two Saturday calendars a year.
Maintain a valid Washington State driver's license or have the ability to travel throughout King County.
The following items are required to process your application:
An online application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back long enough to include all relevant experience.
A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
A resume.
A short self-authored writing sample (in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format)
Application Process
First consideration will be given to candidates who apply prior to September 1, 2024. Once all positions are filled the posting will be closed. Please submit your application as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. If you are selected for an interview, you may choose to be interviewed in person or via videoconference technology.
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 feel free to contact our Talent Advisors at, [email protected] or 206-263-2041.
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