Description:

Summary:
This posting will remain open until filled and may close at any time without prior notice. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on August 10, 2026, will be given priority consideration.

This recruitment will be used to fill a Career Service position and to create an eligibility pool to fill vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months.

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is recruiting to fill one or more Career Service Public Defense Attorney – Supervisor positions within The Defenders Association Division (https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dpd/about-public-defense/divisions). Practice area placement will be based on the department's operational needs and the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Assignments may be made in any practice area.

The successful applicant will have a passion for public defense and for representing clients, focusing on their objectives, interests, and dignity. They will be committed to fighting institutional and structural racism and willing to address issues related to equity and social justice within the workplace and the broader work of public defense. They will have a demonstrated ability to supervise the work of other lawyers and support staff and to mentor, develop, evaluate, and support employees in a fast-paced environment.

Candidates should be fully knowledgeable of court procedures and the law; have considerable trial experience; possess excellent writing, research, and analytic skills, and have expertise in case preparation, handling, and disposition.

Depending on the needs of their unit, attorney supervisors may carry a partial caseload subject to the limitations in DPD's Case-Weight Credit Policy Manual.

Levels of responsibility will range from supervising entry-level attorneys to those who are highly experienced. The supervisor will ensure that caseload standards that foster excellence in legal representation are observed in accordance with Washington State Bar Association guidelines. Supervising attorneys will have demonstrated commitment to clients, the Division, and DPD. The successful applicant will have an aptitude for management and leadership and will be able to work within a team of managers.

The Department's Mission Statement
The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity.

DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings.

DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients' liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce 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. (https://kingcounty.gov/depts/public-defense.aspx)

Job Duties:
Essential Job Functions and Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Supervise attorneys.
Develop, evaluate, train, mentor, and coach unit employees, and interns.
Ensure work conforms with prevailing professional standards, applicable statues, rules, and DPD and county policies.
In consultation and coordination with the Managing Attorney, the Director's Office, and Human Resources, conduct disciplinary investigations and impose discipline, when appropriate.
Implement and monitor corrective and career development action plans and provide support to enable employees to make positive changes.
Conduct performance evaluations of unit employees, at least annually, and as required for probationary periods, TLTs, and interns.
Assign and balance workload among attorneys within unit.
Ensure unit employees are up to date on DPD policies and developments, relevant legislative proposals or enactments and administrative and case law changes that bear on the practice area.
Act as a catalyst for problem-solving and conflict resolution within the unit and the Division.
Carry a partial caseload, requiring excellent legal representation and trial skills, excellent rapport with clients, strong legal research, strong negotiation skills and all necessary skills required of a caseload-carrying attorney.
Maintain and update, as needed, a computerized case-management system to track caseloads and individual assignments. Have a working knowledge of the case management system and learn to utilize reports to evaluate and support the work of the unit.
Identify cases that present an ethical conflict of interest for the Department of Public Defense.
Work with Director's Office to ensure unit employees have the training and resources they need to do their jobs well.
Actively support and promote DPD's mission and all policies and practices, including internal and external activities that strengthen public defense in King County.
Serve at least twice a year on call and supervise the on-call attorneys.
Be an active member of the Division Management Team, attend meetings, relay necessary information, and assist with office-wide initiatives and operations matters.
Work closely with all supervisors to coordinate overlapping work and support the efficient operation of the division.
Set a positive and supportive tone in the Division.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills:
Required:

Juris Doctor degree from accredited law school OR completed the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program; AND must be a member of the Washington State Bar Association, be in good standing and have been a lawyer for at least three years.
Murder/Sex/Felony High qualified (to be considered for Felony placements).
Washington State Driver's License or ability to travel to required destinations.

Knowledge of:

Community resources and referral agencies appropriate to the specific program service.
Computer applications, particularly as related to the performance of legal research and case management.
Case management.
Application of legal principles to individual cases or problems.
Judicial and trial procedure and rules of evidence.
The principles, methods and practices of legal research and investigation.

Ability to:

Collaborate with Human Resource Manager, interpret and apply DPD, and County, Human Resource, and Coalition Labor Agreements, procedures, and policies.
Manage a work unit, creating systems that allow for workflow to be predictable and staff to be supported to complete the necessary work.
Build a strong attorney/client relationship.
Communicate and work collaboratively with all segments of judicial and criminal justice systems.
Investigate and document complaints and improve client relations.
Train, supervise, evaluate, mentor, and improve the work of attorneys and professional legal and support staff, including establishing goals and assigning responsibilities, communicating work performance standards, establishing work priorities, evaluating, and disciplining.
Assess and make program changes and address and resolve safety, training, and personnel issues.
Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, communicate clearly, professionally, and with empathy.

Skill in:

Understanding and interpreting complex laws and regulations and analyzing complex legal documents and instruments.
The ability to present facts, evidence and precedents concerned in complex cases in the form of briefs, opinions, orders, or decisions.
Understanding and interpreting constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and precedents.
Researching, interpreting, applying, and explaining applicable laws, codes, regulations, and court decisions.
Working and building rapport with diverse cultural, socio-economic, and ethnic populations.
Demonstrated commitment to the clients of DPD.

Supplemental Information:
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 Apply?
To Be Considered for This Role Submit the Following Items:

Completed King County Application.
A Current/chronological Resume.
A Cover Letter Detailing Your Background and What You Can Bring to The Department of Public Defense in This Position.

If You Are a Current Supervising Attorney in Tdad and Wish to Be Considered for Transfer to Another Practice Area, You Should E-Mail, Managing Attorney, Ben Goldsmith, at Benjamin.Goldsmith@kingcounty.Gov No Later than The Closing Date of This Recruitment.

All Interested Applicants Are Encouraged to Apply or Indicate Transfer Preferences.

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