Public Defense Attorney (3rd Year Law Student & Fellow/Clerk), Fall 2027

ABOUT THE ROLE The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is recruiting 3rd-year law students, judicial clerks, and fellows to begin employment in Fall 2027. DPD provides high-quality legal representation to indigent clients facing criminal charges, loss of family integrity, and involuntary commitment petitions. The agency utilizes a novel case-weight credit model to ensure sustainable workloads and is grounded in anti-oppression principles and equity. Attorneys enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, union support, and extensive courtroom experience backed by a robust team of investigators, paralegals, and mitigation specialists. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Provide high-quality, client-centered legal representation for indigent individuals, including those with limited English proficiency and disabilities. - Handle all stages of representation from arraignment through trial, sentencing, and select post-conviction motions under a vertical defense model. - Conduct plea negotiations, mitigation, and other case resolution strategies. - Engage in motions practice, including legal research, drafting, and arguing pretrial motions in collaboration with expert witnesses. - Represent clients experiencing mental illness, substance use disorder, and trauma. - Develop and implement effective legal strategies alongside investigators, mitigation specialists, and paralegals. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school. - Must sit for the Washington State Bar Examination in July 2027, or for clerks and fellows, possess admission to the bar in Washington or another state enabling qualification under Rule 8. - Must be at least 21 years old. - Ability to handle 24-hour on-call coverage, which currently requires approximately one week a year or two Saturday calendars a year. - Ability to travel throughout King County to various courts, jails, hospitals, and treatment centers. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must reside in Washington state within a reasonable distance to the King County worksite. - Highly desirable qualifications include proficiency in languages other than English (particularly Spanish), clinical training in public defense, and lived experience with the criminal legal or family surveillance systems. - Subject to DPD Ethical Walls Policies and the Outside Work Policy for Attorneys, which requires supervisor approval for outside employment. SELECTION PROCESS - The selection process includes an evaluation of application materials, supplemental questions, interviews, reference checks, a personnel file review for the last three years, and a background check if applicable. - Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. - Applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on September 4, 2026, will receive priority consideration. HOW TO APPLY - Complete an online application at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs, ensuring employment history covers all relevant experience. - Upload a cover letter (maximum two pages) summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications. - Upload a current resume. - Upload a short, self-authored writing sample in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format. - Contact dpd-hr@kingcounty.gov for accommodation requests or alternate formats. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: King County, Department of Public Defense. - Job Type: Career Service (Exec), Full Time, FLSA Exempt. - Union: Represented by SEIU Local 925 (A8A). - Work Location: Hybrid model requiring 4 days onsite per week during the probationary period. Rotations may occur across Seattle, Kent, and Redmond offices. - Benefits: Comprehensive package including a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, generous vacation and sick leave, and training opportunities. - Closing Date: Continuous; the posting may close at any time without prior notice.