Public Defense Paralegal (TLT/SDA)

King County’s Department of Public Defense is looking to fill one or more Public Defense Paralegal positions. Paralegals work in a fast-paced environment as part of a client-centered defense team advocating for the client’s objectives. Paralegals work independently under general supervision and provide a variety of investigative and paraprofessional legal support functions under the legal and technical guidance of an attorney. The work involves considerable liaison with other agencies, jurisdictions, clients/victims/witnesses, and the public. The Paralegal is responsible for investigating facts and underlying issues and performing complex legal research.

This recruitment (2025FF23722) will be used to fill Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) positions, and placement may occur within any of our divisions, at either Seattle or Kent. It will also be used to create an eligibility pool to fill additional TLT or SDA vacancies the next three months. Assignments are anticipated to last for up to 24 months but have the ability to be extended or end early based on business needs. 
 
WHY JOIN DPD?
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), sex offender commitment, and inquests.  
   
We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal legal system and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty and to address systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our website.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:  
 
Administrative Support

• Performs a wide range of advanced administrative duties, both in the office and remotely, and word processing of complex and/or confidential materials, requiring independent judgment, initiative, and timeliness on assignments that are sensitive in nature in accordance with department procedures. 
  • Perform legal research on statutes and cases; gather facts, analyze data and review cases; conduct preliminary conflict of interest checks in cases assigned.
  • Draft correspondence, pleadings, and motions.
  • Prepare hearing exhibits; prepare case files and assemble trial binders.
  • Process and serve legal documents/subpoenas. 
  • Obtain documents by subpoena and other investigation and discovery methods.
  • Develop and maintain caseload and case assignment tracking systems and databases.
  • Update case files in our computerized case-management system.
    • Support attorney time record-keeping and assist in the submission of hours.
    • Monitor progress of cases.

• Provide excellent customer service, both in the office and remotely.
  • Demonstrates the ability to be onsite at the work locations at least three days a week in any of DPD’s office locations (Seattle and Kent). Location assignments are changeable; work location may include more than one office location over the course of a week and may change over the course of employment. 
  • Demonstrates and practices cultural sensitivity when engaging a diverse population. 
  • Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates empathy with DPD’s clients many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness, via the phone and in-person. 
  • Reliably answers and returns calls, providing the DPD community authentic support and demonstrating a willingness to assist them.
  • Serve as a liaison with clients, prosecutors, probation officers, bailiffs, judges, and criminal legal agencies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or a certification from an accredited paralegal training institution and three years of related experience, or any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Have a valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner.
• Must be able to lift/move up to 20-pounds. 

• Guidelines for Criminal Defense adopted by the Washington State Bar Association.
• Role of the attorney-client relationship and the requirement to adhere to the Washington State Bar Association Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Civil and criminal law and terminology, court rules, and procedures. 
• Legal research methods and practices.
• Interviewing techniques.
• General office procedures, equipment, and administration.

• Provide excellent customer service, including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, who may be experiencing stress, trauma, and/or suffering from mental illness.
• Learn new and/or increasing complex duties.
• Adapt to ever changing work needs and requirements.
• Use office productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, and Outlook), case management systems, and internet search engines. 
• Provide support in the building of a strong attorney/client relationship. 
• Ensure work performed conforms with prevailing professional standards and applicable statutes and county policy.
• Work in a fast-paced, and multifaceted environment with high attention to detail, and function well under pressure.
• Work both independently and as a team member.
• Handle multiple competing priorities, sensitive, and crisis situations.
• Interpret complex legal documents, instruments, regulations, and laws. 
• Use advanced writing skills to draft pleadings, motions, and briefs.

• Have lived experience involving the criminal legal system.

At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
King County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?
This opportunity to join DPD is open to all qualified applicants. Please apply at www.kingcounty.gov/careers. 

To be considered for this role submit the following items:

• Completed King County application.
• A current resume.
• Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.

• Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building, 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle 
• Meeker Street Building, 420 West Harrison Street, Kent