Public Defense Attorney - Supervisor

King County   Seattle, WA   Full-time
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Summary


This posting is being extended through 12/7/22.  If you have previously applied you do not need to reapply.  


This recruitment is INTERNAL ONLY and open to current King County, Department of Public Defense (DPD) employees. 

Associated Counsel for the Accused (ACA) Division seeks interested applicants for up to two career service Public Defense Attorney – Supervisor positions supervising attorneys. 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. In many instances, attorney supervisors will carry a partial caseload.
 
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 a demonstrated commitment to the Division, DPD, and the clients. The successful applicant will have an aptitude for management and leadership and will be able to work within a team of managers.

About the Department
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides robust legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), sex offender commitment, and contempt of court. We work with the community to dismantle the systems that oppress our clients, to make the traditional systems that remain as restorative as possible, and to advocate for pathways that will allow our clients to succeed. We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal system and address 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, please visit our website at: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/public-defense.aspx 

Who May Apply
This recruitment is INTERNAL ONLY and open to current King County, Department of Public Defense employees. DPD is currently accepting applications to fill up to two Public Defense Attorney – Supervisor positions in the ACA Division. Practice area placement will be dependent upon the experience of the successful candidate but could occur in any practice area. The work location and practice area of this position can be rotated based on business need. DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to applicants.
 
If you are a current supervising attorney in ACA and wish to be considered for transfer to another practice area, you should e-mail the ACA Managing Attorney, Matt Sanders, at matthew.sanders@kingcounty.gov no later than the closing date of this recruitment.
 
All interested applicants are encouraged to apply or indicate transfer preferences.

Work Location and Schedule
This position will be located at various ACA Division offices in Seattle and Kent. The positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and not overtime eligible. The workweek is normally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
 
Forms and Materials Required
  1. An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back at least 10 years if you have 10 years of employment (or more to include all relevant experience). 
  2. A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
  3. Resume.
For more information, contact:
Falisha Forgash
Human Resource Analyst
fforgash@kingcounty.gov
206-263-2041

Job Duties

  • 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 ACA Managing Attorney and Human Resource staff, 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. Assign and monitor workload of paralegal(s).
  • 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

  • Ability to train, supervise, evaluate, mentor, and improve the work of attorneys and professional legal and support staff.
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise other attorneys, including establishing goals and assigning responsibilities, communicating work performance standards, establishing work priorities, evaluating, and disciplining.
  • Demonstrated ability to assess and make program changes and address and resolve safety, training and personnel issues.
  • Ability to learn and apply human resources, DPD, and County procedures and policies.
  • Ability to manage a work unit, creating systems that allow for work flow to be predictable and staff to be supported to complete the necessary work.
  • Knowledge of application of legal principles to individual cases or problems.
  • Knowledge of judicial and trial procedure and rules of evidence.
  • Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of legal research and investigation.
  • Skill in understanding and interpreting complex laws and regulations and analyzing complex legal documents and instruments.
  • Skill in the ability to present facts, evidence and precedents concerned in complex cases in the form of briefs, opinions, orders or decisions
  • Skill in understanding and interpreting constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations and precedents.
  • Skill in researching, interpreting, applying, and explaining applicable laws, codes, regulations and court decisions.
  • Knowledge of community resources and referral agencies appropriate to the specific program service.
  • Knowledge of computer applications, particularly as related to the performance of legal research and case management.
  • Knowledge of case management.
  • Skill in working and building rapport with diverse cultural, socio-economic and ethnic populations.
  • Ability to build a strong attorney/client relationship.
    • Ability to communicate and work collaboratively with all segments of judicial and criminal justice systems.
    • Ability to investigate and document complaints and improve client relations.
    • Strong interpersonal skills, ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and with empathy.
    • A demonstrated commitment to the clients of DPD.
Education and Experience Requirements
  • Juris Doctor degree from accredited law school.
Licensing, Certification and Other Requirements
  • Member of the Washington State Bar Association in good standing and have been a lawyer for at least three years.
  • Washington State Driver's License or ability to travel to required destinations.

Supplemental Information

Special Note Regarding COVID-19
DPD is following Public Health and CDC guidance in regard to social distancing. Interviews for the position will be conducted remotely. Successful candidates may be required to telecommute and come into the office on a periodic basis; frequency could vary based on business and operational needs.

DPD Policies 
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to applicants, 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 applicants, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
 
Application Process
Interested individuals should submit an online King County application (all blanks must be filled out and may not direct the reader to reference to an attached resume or other document. Answers that say "see resume" will be considered as incomplete), cover letter (no more than two pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the job, and a resume. You can find the online application at the following address: https://www.kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/careers.aspx.
   
Selection Process
Materials will be reviewed for qualifications, and the most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a panel interview process. Applicants may be required to demonstrate their qualifications at the time of the interview and/or skills assessment. Personnel file reviews and references may be conducted for the most competitive candidates prior to a placement decision.

Pay upon placement is determined by the provisions of the Master Labor Agreement.
   
Union 
The position is represented by the Teamsters, Local 117.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. 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.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.

As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:

  • submit proof of vaccination, or
  • have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. 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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and activity centers
  • Employee giving program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Are you a current and/or former employee of the Department of Public Defense?
  • Yes
  • No
02
If yes to the above, in which division(s)? Otherwise, please indicate N/A.
  • Associated Counsel for the Accused
  • Northwest Defenders
  • Society of Counsel Representing the Accused Persons
  • The Defender Association
  • Director's Office
  • N/A
03
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
04
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

Required Question

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King County

Seattle, WA