Chief Public Defender

Job Description

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM

This position will provide overall administration and management of the delivery of public defender services for the County.  Provide financial management, resource utilization, legal compliance and quality assurance, and will advise the County as to matters of public defense policy, litigation, and negotiation of public defender contracts.   The position will screen, prepare and defend misdemeanor cases in District Court and felony cases in Superior Court, as needed, and will coordinate with the judges the most efficient way to schedule and handle court dockets.

Knowledge of:
Washington State criminal and civil law and related local statutes, ordinances, case law, and procedures.
Principles, methods, and practices of legal research and investigation. Judicial procedure and rules of evidence.
Judicial procedures
Government administration and practices.
Office procedures, practices, and equipment
Skill in:
Microsoft Suite.
Customer service.

Ability to:
Attend training to meet legal requirements for the State of Washington.
Conduct legal research, analysis, and investigation of criminal or civil cases. Plan, prepare, present, and conduct case strategies for trial.
Interpret and explain codes, statutes, ordinances, and procedures.
Manage heavy caseloads and maintain appropriate records, logs, and case files.
Ability to utilize a computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval, and tracking.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, regarding complex or sensitive issues.
Problem solve.

Minimum Qualifications
(Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job may be considered.)

Graduation from an ABA accredited school of law and must be a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.
Three (3) years handling adult felony cases, including two (2) years as a defense attorney representing people in adult felony cases.
Lead or co-counsel in four (4) adult felony trials in which the state has rested, at least one (1) of which was submitted to a jury and at least one (1) of which was a felony-high case.
Completed defense training or CLE on mitigation and challenging prior convictions.
Three (3) years of supervisory experience at senior management level.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Washington State Driver’s License
Member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association