Description:
Program Description: The Washington State Office of Public Defense (opd) Forensic Civil Commitment Program Provides State-Funded Attorney Representation to Indigent Clients with A Statutory Right to Counsel in Commitment Proceedings at The University of Washington's Center for Behavioral Health and Learning (uwcbl) and Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health (ohbh) Brought Under the Involuntary Treatment Act, Chapter 71.05 Rcw.Opd Seeks a Conflict Attorney to Provide Representation at Both Uwcbl and Ohbh. a Contacted Conflict Attorney Is Expected to Represent Clients in Cases Brought by The State of Washington Who Are Involuntarily Committed up To 90 to 180 Days Under the Involuntary Treatment Act. This Position Is Considered Part Time. It Is Anticipated that A Conflict Attorney Will Be Assigned Anywhere from 1-2 Cases per Month and Will Receive an Hourly Compensation of $124/hour.
Contractors Are Responsible for All Overhead Costs Including, but Not Limited to Office Space, Health and Malpractice Insurance, Retirement and Other Costs of Doing Business. Opd Provides Westlaw, Jis, and King County Ecr Access, and Covers All Authorized Expert and Litigation Costs. if Interested, Please Follow the Application Procedures Below.
Qualifications:
Attorney Qualifications:
- Be a Licensed Member of The Washington State Bar Association (wsba), in Good Standing; And
- Have:
- Served at Least One Year as A Public Defender, Prosecutor, or Private Counsel in A Civil Commitment Practice;
- Been Trial Counsel in At Least Five Civil Commitment Initial Hearings;
- Experience as Lead Counsel in At Least One Felony Trial or Been Co-Counsel with A More Experienced Attorney in A 90-Day or 180-Day Commitment Hearing or Jury Trial; And
- Experience as Counsel in Cases Involving Each of The Following:
- Mental Health Issues; And
- Expert Witnesses
- Familiarity with The Superior Court Civil Rules And/or Superior Court Civil Commitment Rules; And
- One Year of Appellate Experience or Demonstrated Legal Writing Ability;
- Be Able to Use Current Technology to Transmit Electronic Reports, Invoices, and Other Documentation that May Be Required;
- Comply with The Washington Supreme Court Standards for Indigent Defense.
