RFQ - Unified Court System Task Force Member with Lived Experience

SUBMISSION DUE DATE: 5:00 PM on June 29, 2026

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) is recruiting a task force member with lived experience as someone who is formerly incarcerated for the new Unified Court System Task Force (hereinafter, the “Task Force”). This is an exciting opportunity for someone who was previously incarcerated to help evaluate how courts are functioning and make recommendations for improvement. This position will provide a crucial voice amidst many system stakeholders to provide real world perspective on how courts serve impacted communities and how they can improve services. 

The Washington Legislature created the Task Force during the 2026 Legislative Session through SHB 1909 to explore the possibility of moving from a court system administered primarily by individual counties and cities across the state to a more unified statewide system. As the enacting statute says: 

The court unification task force is established to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current Washington state court system, including the review of the inefficiencies and inequities resulting from disparate local court rules, technology adoption, and funding levels, and identify areas where a more unified or centralized approach to court operations may  improve efficiency and uniformity in the delivery of court and judicial services, as well as consistency in outcomes and ease of access for those who use the court system, including victims, defendants, litigants, and counsel. 

The Task Force will be made up of members from the Legislature, representatives of cities and counties, members of the judiciary and other key stakeholders. The Legislature tasked the Washington State Office of Public Defense with appointing a task force member who was formerly incarcerated.