State of Washington
RFQ Attorney Representation for Indigent Clients Committed NGRI under Ch. 10.77
State of Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
RFQ25016
ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT CLIENTS
COMMITTED as “Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity”
UNDER Ch. 10.77 RCWAbout the Washington State Office of Public Defense:
We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.
Mission:
Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession.
Vision:
Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals.
Values:
Justice * Service * Equity * Excellence
We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation. We are dedicated to excellence in public law and indigent defense, and we seek talented candidates who share this commitment to client-centered service. We value employees who bring diverse backgrounds in education, employment, community activities, and life experiences to enhance our office.
Program DescriptionThe Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) Forensic Commitment Program provides state-funded attorney representation to indigent clients with a right to counsel at State expense after being committed pursuant to a finding of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, under Ch. 10.77 RCW.OPD seeks to fill one full-time contract attorney position. A contract attorney is expected to represent clients seeking conditional, unconditional release, or forced medication proceedings under RCW 10.77. Attorneys may also represent individuals facing revocation of their conditional release. A full-time attorney will carry a caseload of approximately 15 clients. This contract position is open until filled for a contract that runs through June 30, 2025.Annual compensation for a full-time caseload is
$205,704.00 . Contractors are responsible for all overhead such as support staff, rent, and other costs of doing business. If interested, follow the application procedures below.The following qualifications are required:Be a licensed member of good standing with the Washington State Bar Association;Two years of criminal or civil trial experience;Experience as counsel in cases involving expert witnesses and mental health issues;Have familiarity with the Washington Superior Court Civil Rules and the ability to become familiar with a jurisdiction’s local court rules;Be responsive to and communicate clearly with clients living with disabilities, and/or mental health issues, and those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP);Be willing to accept case appointments in multiple counties and ability to travel to a State Hospital or Facility and jurisdictions for Court hearings;Be compliant with the Washington State Supreme Court and WSBA Standards for Indigent Defense Services;Possess experience or interest in how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals experiencing state intervention in their lives, and a willingness to challenge the State on issues of bias and prejudice.Application ProcedureApplications will be accepted until the positions are filled. To apply, email a letter of interest identifying your qualifications, and a resume, and a legal writing sample. Letters of interest should describe the applicant’s current contracts for public defense or other representation as well as existing caseload, specifying the number and type of cases currently carried, if any.
Email Materials to:Laurel Brinson at
Laurel.Brinson@opd.wa.gov
Please address any questions to:Jennifer Bartlett at
Jennifer.Bartlett@opd.wa.gov
and Kelly Canary at
Kelly.Canary@opd.wa.gov
OPD reserves the right to amend this Request for Qualifications and reserves the right to refrain from contracting with any and all applicants. This Request for Qualifications does not obligate the state of Washington or OPD to contract for the services specified here.
This is a contract position and is not eligible for state benefits or considered employment through OPD.The Washington State Office of Public Defense vigorously pursues diversity in the workforce. Women, LGBTQ+, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years of age, persons with a disability, and disabled and military veterans are encouraged to apply.#J-18808-Ljbffr
RFQ25016
ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT CLIENTS
COMMITTED as “Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity”
UNDER Ch. 10.77 RCWAbout the Washington State Office of Public Defense:
We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.
Mission:
Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession.
Vision:
Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals.
Values:
Justice * Service * Equity * Excellence
We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation. We are dedicated to excellence in public law and indigent defense, and we seek talented candidates who share this commitment to client-centered service. We value employees who bring diverse backgrounds in education, employment, community activities, and life experiences to enhance our office.
Program DescriptionThe Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) Forensic Commitment Program provides state-funded attorney representation to indigent clients with a right to counsel at State expense after being committed pursuant to a finding of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, under Ch. 10.77 RCW.OPD seeks to fill one full-time contract attorney position. A contract attorney is expected to represent clients seeking conditional, unconditional release, or forced medication proceedings under RCW 10.77. Attorneys may also represent individuals facing revocation of their conditional release. A full-time attorney will carry a caseload of approximately 15 clients. This contract position is open until filled for a contract that runs through June 30, 2025.Annual compensation for a full-time caseload is
$205,704.00 . Contractors are responsible for all overhead such as support staff, rent, and other costs of doing business. If interested, follow the application procedures below.The following qualifications are required:Be a licensed member of good standing with the Washington State Bar Association;Two years of criminal or civil trial experience;Experience as counsel in cases involving expert witnesses and mental health issues;Have familiarity with the Washington Superior Court Civil Rules and the ability to become familiar with a jurisdiction’s local court rules;Be responsive to and communicate clearly with clients living with disabilities, and/or mental health issues, and those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP);Be willing to accept case appointments in multiple counties and ability to travel to a State Hospital or Facility and jurisdictions for Court hearings;Be compliant with the Washington State Supreme Court and WSBA Standards for Indigent Defense Services;Possess experience or interest in how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals experiencing state intervention in their lives, and a willingness to challenge the State on issues of bias and prejudice.Application ProcedureApplications will be accepted until the positions are filled. To apply, email a letter of interest identifying your qualifications, and a resume, and a legal writing sample. Letters of interest should describe the applicant’s current contracts for public defense or other representation as well as existing caseload, specifying the number and type of cases currently carried, if any.
Email Materials to:Laurel Brinson at
Laurel.Brinson@opd.wa.gov
Please address any questions to:Jennifer Bartlett at
Jennifer.Bartlett@opd.wa.gov
and Kelly Canary at
Kelly.Canary@opd.wa.gov
OPD reserves the right to amend this Request for Qualifications and reserves the right to refrain from contracting with any and all applicants. This Request for Qualifications does not obligate the state of Washington or OPD to contract for the services specified here.
This is a contract position and is not eligible for state benefits or considered employment through OPD.The Washington State Office of Public Defense vigorously pursues diversity in the workforce. Women, LGBTQ+, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years of age, persons with a disability, and disabled and military veterans are encouraged to apply.#J-18808-Ljbffr