State of Washington
Staff Attorney
State of Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)
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.
The Disproportionality UnitThe Disproportionality Unit is responsible for providing high-level support for inclusion, equity, and antiracism training in cases to support attorneys who deliver public defense in Washington. The Disproportionality Unit also works to reduce systemic disproportionality in the legal system by providing resources and tools to help attorneys strengthen their client-based advocacy. This team also partners with others to make core changes in the legal system by proposing and advocating for rule and process changes.Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. First review of applications will be on December 9, 2024. Interested parties are encouraged to apply early.
The PositionThe Washington State Office of Public Defense seeks an experienced attorney to develop legal trainings, strategies, and policies for challenging racial and economic disproportionality. The attorney should understand how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals and families that become involved in the legal system.The successful candidate will collaborate with OPD leadership, attorneys, staff, and external partners to promote social justice and system reforms. The position will report to the Disproportionality Unit Supervising Attorney.The daily work site is at the OPD office in Olympia, with remote options by policy. Periodic travel is required in Washington, including occasional overnight travel. Out-of-state travel occurs infrequently.General ResponsibilitiesProfessionally network with external partners and stakeholders to develop relationships and collaborations that promote social justice and system reforms applicable to public defense advocacy.Exercise mature judgment in potentially sensitive, high-stress situations.Participate in and foster a collaborative working environment at OPD, statewide stakeholder groups, and demographically diverse local court systems.Diligently follow attorney and state employee ethics requirements.Conduct all activities with the highest degree of professionalism in furtherance of OPD’s Mission, Vision, and Values.If not admitted to the Washington State Bar Association, you must become admitted within a year of your start date.
Minimum QualificationsLicensed attorney in good standing in any state, with the ability to join the Washington State Bar Association within the next year.Five years of trial or appellate litigation experience in public defense or civil rights and social justice.Experience advocating and litigating against bias, discrimination, and differential treatment of individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by the legal system.A demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice and a fundamental understanding of the historical context underlying current challenges in the judicial system faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, and individuals with limited English proficiency.An interest in using data and statistical research to promote social justice and legal system reform.Strong legal writing and research skills.Strong interpersonal communication skills, including the capacity to develop and sustain respectful professional relationships with stakeholders in communities throughout Washington.An ability to think strategically, prioritize tasks, and function independently and as a team in a collaborative environment.Desired QualificationsDemonstrated experience in working with clients living in poverty and from diverse cultures.Experience with training attorneys on issues related to public defense or civil rights and social justice.Experience in advocating for policy changes on issues related to public defense or civil rights and social justice.The ability to provide individual consultation with attorneys seeking technical assistance on disproportionality issues throughout the state.10+ years as a lawyer representing indigent clients in criminal matters.
Compensation: $125,520 to $138,540 annually.Washington State employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package that includes: paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, retirement and health, dental and life insurance coverage for self and family. There are also options for deferred compensation and pre-tax flexible spending accounts.
Application ProcessTo be considered, interested candidates must apply online at
www.careers.wa.gov
(Click on the APPLY button above.) You must complete the entire online application.
In addition to the online application:Letter of interest.Current résumé and a list of at least three professional references.A writing sample that is your original work.If you have problems navigating the online application process of uploading the required documents, email
tracy.sims@opd.wa.gov
for assistance.If you have questions about application requirements, email
lei.young@opd.wa.gov
for assistance.
Diversity, Equity and InclusionWe vigorously pursue diversity in the work force. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years of age, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, formerly incarcerated, prior child welfare involvement, and military veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.
Remote WorkOur offices are in Olympia, Washington. We have teleworking options available by policy, and will be considered on an individual basis depending on the needs of the position. However, the selected candidate will be expected to be a resident of Washington state, and should expect to be available to be on-site at our Olympia office at least one working day out of each month.#J-18808-Ljbffr
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.
The Disproportionality UnitThe Disproportionality Unit is responsible for providing high-level support for inclusion, equity, and antiracism training in cases to support attorneys who deliver public defense in Washington. The Disproportionality Unit also works to reduce systemic disproportionality in the legal system by providing resources and tools to help attorneys strengthen their client-based advocacy. This team also partners with others to make core changes in the legal system by proposing and advocating for rule and process changes.Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. First review of applications will be on December 9, 2024. Interested parties are encouraged to apply early.
The PositionThe Washington State Office of Public Defense seeks an experienced attorney to develop legal trainings, strategies, and policies for challenging racial and economic disproportionality. The attorney should understand how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals and families that become involved in the legal system.The successful candidate will collaborate with OPD leadership, attorneys, staff, and external partners to promote social justice and system reforms. The position will report to the Disproportionality Unit Supervising Attorney.The daily work site is at the OPD office in Olympia, with remote options by policy. Periodic travel is required in Washington, including occasional overnight travel. Out-of-state travel occurs infrequently.General ResponsibilitiesProfessionally network with external partners and stakeholders to develop relationships and collaborations that promote social justice and system reforms applicable to public defense advocacy.Exercise mature judgment in potentially sensitive, high-stress situations.Participate in and foster a collaborative working environment at OPD, statewide stakeholder groups, and demographically diverse local court systems.Diligently follow attorney and state employee ethics requirements.Conduct all activities with the highest degree of professionalism in furtherance of OPD’s Mission, Vision, and Values.If not admitted to the Washington State Bar Association, you must become admitted within a year of your start date.
Minimum QualificationsLicensed attorney in good standing in any state, with the ability to join the Washington State Bar Association within the next year.Five years of trial or appellate litigation experience in public defense or civil rights and social justice.Experience advocating and litigating against bias, discrimination, and differential treatment of individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by the legal system.A demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice and a fundamental understanding of the historical context underlying current challenges in the judicial system faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, and individuals with limited English proficiency.An interest in using data and statistical research to promote social justice and legal system reform.Strong legal writing and research skills.Strong interpersonal communication skills, including the capacity to develop and sustain respectful professional relationships with stakeholders in communities throughout Washington.An ability to think strategically, prioritize tasks, and function independently and as a team in a collaborative environment.Desired QualificationsDemonstrated experience in working with clients living in poverty and from diverse cultures.Experience with training attorneys on issues related to public defense or civil rights and social justice.Experience in advocating for policy changes on issues related to public defense or civil rights and social justice.The ability to provide individual consultation with attorneys seeking technical assistance on disproportionality issues throughout the state.10+ years as a lawyer representing indigent clients in criminal matters.
Compensation: $125,520 to $138,540 annually.Washington State employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package that includes: paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, retirement and health, dental and life insurance coverage for self and family. There are also options for deferred compensation and pre-tax flexible spending accounts.
Application ProcessTo be considered, interested candidates must apply online at
www.careers.wa.gov
(Click on the APPLY button above.) You must complete the entire online application.
In addition to the online application:Letter of interest.Current résumé and a list of at least three professional references.A writing sample that is your original work.If you have problems navigating the online application process of uploading the required documents, email
tracy.sims@opd.wa.gov
for assistance.If you have questions about application requirements, email
lei.young@opd.wa.gov
for assistance.
Diversity, Equity and InclusionWe vigorously pursue diversity in the work force. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years of age, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, formerly incarcerated, prior child welfare involvement, and military veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.
Remote WorkOur offices are in Olympia, Washington. We have teleworking options available by policy, and will be considered on an individual basis depending on the needs of the position. However, the selected candidate will be expected to be a resident of Washington state, and should expect to be available to be on-site at our Olympia office at least one working day out of each month.#J-18808-Ljbffr