Public Defense Attorney I

King County•Seattle, WA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The King 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 you’ll work alongside skilled investigators, mitigation specialist, paralegals, and other committed support staff, ensuring that we provide exceptional, client-centered representation. DPD is a leader on caseload standards nationally and has also provided technical support to other offices on this topic. DPD may reimburse successful applicants for the New Admittee License Fee (up to $475 depending on status and admission date) WSBA Non-Exam Application Fees (ranges from $595-$970 depending on application type) and the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) investigation fee (ranges from $120-$925 depending on legal background). As a DPD attorney, you’ll 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.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, OR completed the WSBA’s 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 driver's license or the ability to travel throughout King County.
Strong trial, research, and writing skills.
Client-centered representation, ensuring frequent and effective communication using the most suitable medium for each client.
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.

Nice To Haves

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 DPD’s 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 select post-conviction motions—under DPD’s 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.