Public Defense Supervising Attorney - Seattle Municipal Court and Seattle Felony
- Summary
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is looking for both a Seattle Municipal Court Supervising Attorney and a Seattle Felony Supervising Attorney in our Northwest Defenders Division. These positions will supervise attorneys and additional legal and support staff. The successful applicant will have a dedication to zealous representation and a commitment to fighting for the equal and just application of our laws to all members of our community. He or she will have demonstrated the ability to supervise the work of other lawyers and support staff and to mentor, develop, evaluate, and support employees. Candidates should be fully knowledgeable of court procedures and the law; have considerable trial experience, and be able to function as a legal expert in case preparation, handling and disposition. In some instances, attorney supervisors will also carry a partial caseload. Levels of responsibility will range from supervising entry-level attorneys to those who are highly experienced. Caseload standards established by the State Supreme Court and that foster excellence in legal representation are observed in accordance with Washington State Bar Association guidelines.
To learn more about DPD, please check out our website at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/public-defense.aspx
Interviews will be conducted starting the week of September 23, 2019 with estimated desired start date being mid October, 2019.
Who May Apply: This recruitment is INTERNAL ONLY and open to current King County, Department of Public Defense (DPD) employees. DPD is currently accepting applications to fill two Public Defense Attorney - Supervisor positions in the Northwest Defenders Division. The work location and practice area of these positions can be rotated based on business need. DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to applicants- Job Duties
- Supervise attorneys and paralegal staff.
- Develop, evaluate, train, mentor, and coach unit employees. Ensure work conforms with prevailing professional standards and applicable statues and county policies.
- In consultation and coordination with Managing Attorney and Human Resource staff, conduct disciplinary investigations and impose discipline when appropriate.
- Provide mentorship to attorneys and others within the unit.
- 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.
- Conduct performance evaluations of unit employees, implement and monitor corrective and career development action plans and provide support to enable employees to make positive changes.
- Act as a catalyst for problem-solving and conflict resolution within the unit.
- Possibly carry a partial caseload, requiring excellent legal representation and trial skills, excellent rapport with clients, strong legal research, strong negotiation skills and all the other skills that go with being a caseload-carrying attorney.
- Maintain and update, as needed, a computerized case-management system to track caseloads and individual assignments.
- 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.
- Be the backup for on call attorneys.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Knowledge of the Standards of Indigent Defense adopted by the Washington State Supreme Court and the performance Guidelines for Criminal Defense adopted by the Washington State Bar Association.
- Knowledge of the role of the attorney-client relationship and the requirement to adhere to the Washington State Bar Association Rules of Professional Responsibility.
- Ability to assume responsibility for all cases and situations under designated area of supervision.
- Advanced legal knowledge of criminal and civil law in DPD's practice areas and advanced skill in the practice of law, including courtroom advocacy, forensic and psychological experts and issues, and legal research and writing.
- Demonstrated ability to supervise other attorneys, including establishing goals and assigning responsibilities, setting work performance standards, establishing work priorities, evaluating, disciplining, making program changes and resolving safety, training and personnel issues.
- Ability to provide mentorship to less experienced attorneys and to train, supervise, evaluate and improve the work of professional legal and support staff.
- Knowledge of community resources and referral agencies appropriate to the specific program service.
- 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.
- Knowledge of computer applications, particularly as related to the performance of legal research and case management.
- Knowledge of services, treatment and treatment alternatives for substance abuse and mental health issues.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ability to communicate and work collaboratively with all segments of judicial and criminal justice systems.
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
Where To Apply: Interested individuals should submit an online application, resume and cover letter indicating how you meet the qualifications of the position. You can find the online application at:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/careers.aspx
Electronic submission is preferred. For inquiries, please feel free to contact Irma Van Buskirk at irma.vanbuskirk@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-9002.
Work Location and Schedule: These positions are located at 710 Second Avenue, Suite 250, Seattle, WA. 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.
Union: The position is represented by the Teamsters, Local 117.
King County in proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer and we encourage people of color, women, veterans and people with disabilities
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
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.
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01Are you a current Career Service Employee in the Department of Public Defense?
- Yes
- No
02If yes to the above, are you currently employed in The Northwest Defenders Division- Yes
- No
03Do you possess a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school?- Yes
- No
04Have you been a lawyer for at least three years?- Yes
- No
05Which position(s) are you applying for? Check all that apply.- Seattle Municipal Court
- Seattle Felony
- Both
Required Question