Attorney 1 - Juvenile Division

Job Summary

This position works 40 hours per week in the Counsel for Defense Department, Juvenile Division.

The position allocated to this class is the entry, working- level of the series, responsible for performing civil and/or criminal legal work in lower courts for the County Prosecutor or Public Defender. Work is performed within departmental policy guidelines and applicable law, under the general direction of the Department Head or Elected Official, or under the direct guidance, as needed, of a higher-level attorney. Incumbents are expected to display the ability and willingness to assume responsibility and advance rapidly to a state of functional individual competency in their assigned area. Work is reviewed for accuracy and completeness at the onset of employment; as experience is gained, less review and supervision will be provided. Positions of this class may assume the work responsibilities of a higher class for training purposes.

Promotion from Attorney 1 to Attorney 2 is determined by an affirmative recommendation of the department. Considerations include but are not limited to: demonstrated competency in all facets of the duties and responsibilities of an Attorney 1 and the ability to independently handle more complex case assignments with limited or no supervision.

Examples of Duties

• Assists or independently represents the County or a client in court, at various stages of the criminal justice process.
• Evaluates and analyzes the facts and evidence of cases or assignments.
• Conducts legal research and analysis, provides legal opinions or memorandums, prepares/files/responds to various legal documents and correspondence within prescribed timeframes.
• Addresses issues, questions and concerns regarding statutory procedures and requirements.
• Works with investigators, paralegals, and other administrative staff to manage court dates, filings, and case investigations.
• Maintains appropriate communication with individuals party to a case/assignment.
• Researches and stays informed of new court decisions, new laws and revised rules and regulations.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

• As an Attorney 1 (Criminal) in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office:

  • Performs professional legal work in preparing and prosecuting cases from initial filing through trial and appeal. Represents the County in hearings and trials (bench and jury); files charges, presents motions, pleadings, and arguments in court; interviews witnesses, law enforcement, victims and others; offers settlement negotiations, etc.

• As an Attorney 1 (Civil) in Prosecuting Attorney’s Office:

  • Assists or independently represents the County in civil matters at any stage of the litigation process; advocates on behalf of County for Involuntary Treatment Act matters; conducts legal research regarding County, State, and Federal rules and regulations; may draft deeds, leases and contracts; answers inquiries from private citizens or their attorneys, etc.
  • Note: The Elected Prosecutor maintains the discretion to reassign Deputy Prosecuting Attorney incumbents to any division within the office (e.g. Civil, Criminal Law, Family Law, etc.).

• As an Attorney 1 in the Public Defender’s Office:

  • Provides legal representation to indigent individuals in arraignments/initial hearings, pre-trial/status conferences, review and evidentiary hearings, plea bargaining processes, trials, verdicts, and sentencings. Provides legal counsel and advice, interviews and selects appropriate witnesses, prepares witnesses to give testimony, presents argument in court and conducts direct and cross examination of witnesses.

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited college or university school of law.
• Licensed to practice law, with WA State Bar Association (WSBA) membership in good standing.
  • If not yet admitted to the practice of law, candidates may be hired who possess a J.D. and have functioned as a WSBA licensed Rule 9 Legal Intern in the nine (9) months prior to their employment application date. If hired under Rule 9 status, candidates must sit for and pass the WA State Bar Examination or otherwise be admitted to the practice of law in WA State by the WSBA within a specified timeframe (not to exceed one year from date of hire) as a condition of continued employment.
• Public Defender’s Office only: if not licensed to practice law in WA State, must meet the requirements under APR 8- Exception for Indigent Representation.
  • Candidate must be a member in good standing of the bar in another state and have applied and be pending approval by the WSBA under WA Supreme Court APR 3.
• One (1) year of prior experience as a law clerk or legal intern is preferred.

Selection Factors

• Knowledge of principles and practices of criminal or civil law as required by the position.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the general public and parties affected by the court and administration.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate and organize facts, evidence and legal procedures and to present information orally and in writing in a clear and logical form.
• Ability to analyze and prepare a variety of legal documents and instruments.