King County Department of Public Defense

We're hiring! If you're a 3L law student, Rule 9 eligible attorney, or a lawyer passionate about public defense -- we've got job openings you should apply for! Our attorneys provide outstanding client-centered advocacy for King County's most vulnerable as we work to dismantle a racist system. Check our available positions here:

Job Opportunities | King County Careers King County is committed to equity and diversity in the workplace. In addition, the county is committed to recruiting and maintaining a quality workforce that shares our guiding principles: collaborative, service-oriented, results-focused, accountable, innovative, professional and fair and just.

We just published our 2022 Annual Report. Read about the meaning of client-centered advocacy, the promise of quality public defense and our commitment to resisting systems of oppression. Find it here: https://bit.ly/3GJI9Zx

This is a fantastic opportunity for an MSW (or related professional) to fight on behalf of those ensnared in a harmful and racist system. Please share with others! DPD is an excellent place to work!

Public Defense Mitigation Specialist King County Department of Public Defense is now hiring for the position of Public Defense Mitigation Specialist in Seattle. Apply today.

A celebration of Don Madsen’s life will be held Sunday, July 31, at Seattle University School of Law, 901 12th Ave, Seattle. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The program begins at 4. Food and drinks will be served.

Colleagues recall Don Madsen, a beloved leader in public defense Many at DPD are mourning Don Madsen, a public defense leader who loved the work and the people who were drawn to it.

DPD Director Anita Khandelwal issued a statement in response to the Seattle City Attorney's Office "high utilizer initiative" -- noting, among other things, that this is a tired strategy that is expensive, ineffective, racially disproportionate, and harmful. And just how tired is this approach? Take a look at the story linked below -- a 2012 report announcing essentially the same strategy and focused on the same area.

Anita's statement:
"Over the last decade, the City has repeatedly announced similarly named initiatives that would focus more law enforcement resources on those already most policed as a strategy for addressing public safety. In 2012, it re-introduced the “High Impact Offender Program.” In 2019, it created the “High-Barrier Individuals Work Group.” Now, it has launched the “High Utilizer Initiative.” This tired strategy of arresting, prosecuting, and jailing is expensive and clearly ineffective. A night in jail, according to the Seattle City Budget Office, costs more than $200. For one person for one month, that’s at least $6,000.

"The path to safety for everyone in our community requires that we address the State of Emergency of Homelessness and the Public Health Crisis of Racism. We’re disappointed that once again, the system is working to perpetuate itself, not working to help solve real problems affecting people in dire need. "

Seattle police, city leaders looking to curb crime on 3rd Ave. At the corner of Third Avenue and Pine Street also sits the intersection of charm and crime - that is, if you ask the city's new public safety chairman.

A fantastic opportunity! To learn more or to apply, go here: https://bit.ly/34su16I

To learn more or apply, visit the King County Career Page, found here: https://bit.ly/3qXnUyC

Visit King County's career page for more information or to apply.
https://bit.ly/30m1vBQ

To learn more or to apply, visit the King County career page. https://bit.ly/3nz6fgo

Public defenders are helping hundreds of people convicted of drug possession get out from under the onerous oversight of community custody (or probation). The State Supreme Court found such convictions were unconstitutional (State v Blake), and now public defenders are working to get these convictions vacated. Contact us if you or your loved one would like legal help.
[email protected] or (206) 296-7662.

Learn more. Visit the King County career page: https://bit.ly/3mZrSGr