3rd Year Law Students

Entry-Level Attorney

Excellent benefits including 10.39% retirement contribution, ability to make a meaningful impact in your community and MORE - see below.

Snohomish County Public Defender Associationis a private, non-profit law office who is passionate about our communities. We are seeking a full-time Attorney.

About Us:

Brave Advocacy, No Judgement, and Fierce Connections. These are the core tenets of SCPDA's Mission to become an Antiracist organization while providing the highest quality legal representation to people facing loss of liberty pursuant to criminal and civil laws.

As a Defender in the SCPDA, you will uphold the mission and exhibit these tenets through client-centered advocacy, and collaboration with your supervisor and colleagues toward professional development in your job-specific responsibilities. The following essential function will guide you on this journey and provide clear direction as to what is expected from this position.

Essential Functions:

• Provides legal representation to assigned clients at all stages of legal proceedings.
• Reviewsdiscovery and court pleadings, researches legal issues raised by the facts, and counsel clients involved in these proceedings.
• Directs investigation of case to include regular communication with investigators to monitor progress of investigation and follows up with necessary motions, subpoenas, and other discovery methods to assist with the investigation.
• Refers appropriate cases for social work services.
• Visits crime scenes and all other case related sites.
• Prepares and brings motions, presents legal arguments clearly and logically in written and verbal form.
• Conducts pretrial negotiations with assigned prosecutors.
• Conducts bench trials and jury trials.
• Prepares and argues post trial motions as needed. Advocate for leniency or alternatives.
• Communicates regularly with clients.
• Works cooperatively with colleagues. Volunteers to provide coverage for other attorneys or other case assignments. Maintains case files and writes coverage/transfer memos with sufficient information to allow another attorney to provide effective assistance of counsel.
• Independently manages a large and revolving caseload (a maximum caseload of 400 misdemeanors per year or 150 felonies per year.) Strives to comply with Performance Guidelines for Criminal Defense Presentation.
• Provides assistance to Rule 9 and legal interns.
• Comply with continuing requirements to improve effectiveness. Maintain knowledge of current practices and developments in the law. Attend continuing legal education seminars as required by the WSBA.
• Interact with all participants of the criminal justice system in a way that promotes respect, including difficult persons affected by mental health, substance abuse, or other personality disorders.
• Position requires a commitment to zealously defend clients at all stages of criminal proceedings.
• Comply with Rules of Professional Conduct
• Seek to cultivate constructive relationships with court stakeholders for the benefit of clients, and represent SCPDA with mindfulness, compassion, and consideration towards others.
• Intentionally engage in antiracism learning using a framework (example: Awareness, Knowledge, Skills and Action).

Qualifications & Physical Requirements:

• Licensed attorney in good standing with and member of the Washington State Bar Association
• Knowledge of Washington law and statues relating to criminal offenses.
• Knowledge of Washington and federal rules of evidence and criminal procedures.
• Ability to keep regular office hours and maintain a workload which may require afterhours or weekend work.
• Accept direction and feedback and follows through appropriately. Incorporates feedback into future performance.
• Maintain a professional and courteous relationship with other employees of the Association.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook. Ability to learn and use variety of software applications.
• Able to operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to maintain ethical and professional standards of the office and observe strict confidentiality.

Benefits & Compensation:

• Compensation: $77.591.91.
• 10.39% Retirement contribution (No employee deferral required) On the 1st of the month after 6 months of employment.
• The Association pays 100% of employee medical and dental, and a majority of the premiums for dependents.
• Automatic enrollment in association paid $20,000 life insurance, short term, and long-term disability insurance for employees.
  
• 21 days of PTO per year to start
• 11 days of Holiday Pay
• Continuing Education Funds (Up to $450/Year)
• Combination of in-office and flexible work schedule.
• Access to Employee Assistance Program, which has the following: Legal consultations for civil matters, financial counseling, access to free counseling sessions and many more.
• Free access to the Calm and Class Pass apps through Kaiser

The Snohomish County Public Defender Association is committed to fostering a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.