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- Description
- Positions are for Department of Assigned Counsel or Public Defense Conflict Office
- Position Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:
This is a great opportunity to work on complex cases including Adult Felony Class B, C, and occasional Class A Felonies, all Juvenile Delinquency cases, and Dependency/Termination of Parental Rights proceedings. You may also be assigned to act as a senior litigator in DAC’s Adult Misdemeanor Division. You will help define and maintain current standards of professional behavior and continually examine DAC’s work environment to improve operations and protocols. You may also be called upon to represent DAC externally to the justice system and public. The Public Defense Conflict Office handles Adult Felony cases only.
Some of the projects you may support include:
*APPR Project
*Issues related to State v. Blake
*Juvenile Re-sentencing matters including LWOP matters
*Trueblood issues
Why It's a Great Department:
The Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) and The Public Defense Conflict Office provide professional high-quality legal representation to individuals in a variety of settings. The DAC is responsible for the delivery of mandated legal services to indigent persons accused of crimes in the Pierce County Superior Court; Pierce County District Courts; Municipal Courts in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Fircrest, Ruston and Pierce County Juvenile Court delinquency proceedings. DAC also provides constitutionally mandated legal services to indigent parents and children involved in Juvenile Court dependency and termination proceedings and to persons detained for involuntary civil commitment proceedings at Western State Hospital and other evaluation and treatment facilities.
Please see the DAC's website for our diverse list of services provided.
How to be Successful in the Role:
To succeed in this role, you must have strong interpersonal skills, excellent research and writing skills, a demonstrated commitment to social justice, and provide quality legal representation and zealous advocacy to indigent clients at all stages of legal proceedings for all case types referenced above.
You must also be a self-motivated, serious professional, who understands and has demonstrated superior competence in representation obligations pursuant to Indigent Defense Standards. You will also need to be visible and available to staff.
Your Future in this Role:
In this role you will further develop your leadership, be challenged on a daily basis and help define processes and protocols.
Core Daily Responsibilities:- Maintain a high-volume case load and prepare appropriate written correspondence for litigation.
- May provide direction to coordinate the activities of internal and external support staff.
- Exercise considerable independent judgment, initiative resourcefulness in adapting policies and precedents to complex situations or to select a proper course of action.
- Act as mentor to County Attorneys 1 by actively conveying skills and knowledge.
- Accept appointments to provide representation in more complex case settings.
- Consult with staff within the Division for legal and strategic advice.
- Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited law school AND
- Member of the Washington State Bar Association (in good standing)
- Three or more years of legal experience in indigent defense.
- Willingness to accept appointment as co-counsel to more/most complex adult felony cases.
- Submit a resume, a substantive cover letter with notable accomplishments, and an original writing sample.
- A valid Washington State Driver's License is required.
- Salary: $97,273.73 - $131,302.01 per year
- Supplemental Information
To be considered for this opportunity please:
- Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
- If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
- If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
- Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
- $97,273.73 - $131,302.01/year
