Public Defense Attorney - Supervisor (SCRAPD) (SDA)

The recruitment is open internally to current Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division (SCRAPD) employees within the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) who have completed their probationary period. 

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. The posting will remain open until the position is filled, but applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on June 12, 2026, will be given priority consideration. 

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) seeks interested applicants for a Special Duty Public Defense Attorney – Supervisor position in our Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division (SCRAPD). Practice area placement will depend upon the experience of the successful candidate and may occur in any practice area.

This recruitment will be used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months. 

The successful applicant will have a passion for public defense and for representing clients, focusing on their objectives, interests, and dignity. They will be committed to fighting institutional and structural racism and willing to address issues related to equity and social justice within the workplace and the broader work of public defense. They will have a demonstrated ability to supervise the work of other lawyers and support staff and to mentor, develop, evaluate, and support employees in a fast-paced environment.

Candidates should be fully knowledgeable of court procedures and the law; have considerable trial experience; possess excellent writing, research, and analytic skills, and have expertise in case preparation, handling, and disposition. In many instances, attorney supervisors will carry a partial caseload.

Levels of responsibility will range from supervising entry-level attorneys to those who are highly experienced. The supervisor will ensure that caseload standards that foster excellence in legal representation are observed in accordance with Washington State Bar Association guidelines. Supervising attorneys will have demonstrated commitment to clients, the Division, and DPD. The successful applicant will have an aptitude for management and leadership and will be able to work within a team of managers.

The Department’s Mission Statement

The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes justice and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity.

DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings.

DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce 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.