Posting number: 2026AR27853
Department: DPD - Dept of Public Defense
Division: Assoc Counsel for Accused
Job classification: Public Defense Attorney - Supervisor (AD2 : L117-DPD-Sups&Mgrs-Atty)
Posting type: Promotional
Categories: Legal
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking to fill one Special Duty Assignment (SDA) for the position of Public Defense Attorney – Supervisor in our Associated Counsel for the Accused Division Practice area placement will depend upon business need and the experience of the successful candidate, and may occur in any practice area.
This assignment is anticipated to last for up to six (6) months but has the ability to be extended or end early based on business needs.
This recruitment will be used to fill future Special Duty vacancies over the next six (6) months.
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
*Detailed specifics of job duties are assigned by case type and division.*
REQUIRED
KNOWLEDGE OF:
ABILITY TO:
SKILL IN:
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:
This recruitment will be used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six months.
Pay Upon Special Duty Placement
Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines for their base position.
If you are a current supervising attorney in ACAD and wish to be considered for transfer to another practice area, you should e-mail, Managing Attorney, Anna Samuel, at anna.samuel@kingcounty.gov no later than the closing date of this recruitment.
All interested applicants are encouraged to apply or indicate transfer preferences.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact our Talent Advisors at dpd-hr@kingcounty.gov
Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.
Work Location and Schedule
The ACAD team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Public Defense Attorney Supervisors may be required to travel to various locations throughout King County, including courts, jails, hospitals and treatment centers. If assigned to the civil commitment unit, you will primarily report to hospitals and treatment centers across the county. Because DPD prioritizes robust client contact and in-person court presence, work locations and reporting requirements may change to meet these priorities.
This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As an exempt employee, you are expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform your job and will not be eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time.
Rotations of work location and practice area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations. You may be assigned to any of our Seattle or Kent offices:
DPD Policies
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.
Outside Work Policy for Attorneys will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
Union Membership
This position is represented by Teamsters 117.
Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Application Process
If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Jeannette Quintero, jquintero@kingcounty.gov
King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.
Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
King County is one of the best places to work in Washington and one of the state's largest employers with 14,000 dedicated employees. Together, we are changing the way government does business and delivering vital services for more than 2 million residents. #GoPublic
