Public Defense Attorney - Supervisor (TDA) (SDA)
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 September 4, 2026, will be given priority consideration.
This Special Duty opportunity is only open to current King County, TDA, career service employees that have completed their initial probation.
If you previously applied for the Public Defense Attorney – Supervisor (2026JQ7739) position, there is no need to reapply. Your previous application will be considered for this position.
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is recruiting to fill one or more Public Defense Attorney – Supervisor(s), as Special Duty Assignment (SDA) within The Defenders Association Division. 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.
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.
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.
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.
