Managing Appellate Resource Attorney

We Want You to Join Our Passionate Public Defense Team!

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. To learn about OPD’s programs click here. 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 Appellate and Post-Conviction Unit

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) is charged with recruiting and supporting contract attorneys who represent clients in appellate and post-conviction proceedings at the WA Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Additionally, OPD has limited funding to assist certain individuals file their first, timely personal restraint petition. To fulfill these duties, OPD is required to provide technical assistance, training, and resources to its contract attorneys to ensure the highest level of representation. To accomplish this, OPD is intent on developing its internal capacity to design and deliver this support. Critical to this will be the Appellate Resource Attorney.

The Position

The Appellate Resource Attorney is a managing attorney position who provides support for contract attorneys through a variety of methods to include case staffing and consultation, training development and delivery, monitoring contractor performance, and engaging with stakeholders to identify methods to improve contractor performance. The Appellate Resource Attorney will report to the Appellate Program Supervisor. This is a new position, and represents OPD’s commitment to grow and develop its Appellate Program to better assist and support contract attorneys to improve upon client-centered representation.

This recruitment is open until the position is filled.

Duties

• Assist with the recruitment and selection of attorneys and firms for OPD’s appellate and post-conviction work.
• Coach and provide case consultation support to contract appellate and post-conviction attorneys, with an emphasis on attorneys who are new to appellate practice
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop and deliver practical training to contract attorneys
• Manage and update curriculum to remain current on legal and practice developments
• Build stakeholder relationships to identify opportunities to improve contractor performance
• Monitor contractor performance to measure application of coaching and training support
• Assist with the evaluation of evolving case weighting standards
• Perform other related functions

Salary

• $114,264 - $135,540/year

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Law degree from an accredited college or university
• Licensed to practice law in Washinton State or the ability to be licensed in Washington within one year of recruitment
• No less than five years of experience of criminal appellate experience practice
• No fewer than twenty-five appeals, including Class A and life without parole cases
• A demonstrated commitment to social justice and serving communities historically unable to fully access the judicial system
• The ability to work on-site at our Olympia office at least two days per week

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in a public defense office or as an indigent defense contractor
• Felony trial practice experience
• Family defense trial practice experience
• Experience in developing professional learning materials
• Experience mentoring or supervising public defense attorneys new to trial or appellate practice
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, justice, and public service

General Responsibilities

• Exercise mature judgment in potentially sensitive, high-stress situations
• Participate in and foster a collaborative working environment at OPD, with statewide stakeholder groups, and in demographically diverse local court systems
• Diligently follow state employee ethics requirements
• Conduct all activities with the highest degree of professionalism in furtherance of OPD’s Mission, Vision and Values

• Participate in and foster a collaborative working environment at OPD, statewide stakeholder groups, and in 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.

Other Information

Compensation

Annual Salary Range of $114,264 to $135,540

Compensation depends on qualifications. 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, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, and eligibility for federal public loan forgiveness.

Application Process

To 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, please provide:

• A letter of interest;
• Current résumé;
• Two appellate briefs; and
• At least three professional references.

Questions about this position may be directed to Sean Devlin, Appellate and Post-Conviction Unit Supervisor, sean.devlin@opd.wa.gov or 360-586-3164 x.105.

If you have problems navigating the online application process and/or uploading the required documents, email tracy.sims@opd.wa.gov for assistance. If any of the additional requested items are missing your application may not be considered.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We 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.

Teleworking

Our offices are in Olympia, Washington. We have teleworking options available according to ODP policy and will be considered on an individual basis depending on the needs of the position and the availability of adequate equipment. However, the Appellate Resource Attorney will be required to be on-site at least two days per week.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 07-21-2025