Attorney 2 - Juvenile or Adult Division

Job Summary

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

The position allocated to this class is the second and journey working level in this series and is responsible for performing civil and/or criminal legal work County Prosecutor, Public Defender or Counsel for Defense. Positions functioning at this level, whether civil or criminal, require prior case preparation and/or trial experience at a level equivalent to Attorney 1. A higher level attorney is available for professional guidance and counseling on a case by case basis on unusual or difficult problems. A position may be responsible for one or more legal programs of the department where the complexity of the law and legal procedures, legal knowledge, proficiency, depth and complexity of case preparation is less than at the Attorney 3 level. Professional guidance and counseling may be provided to legal interns by the positions of this class.

Promotion from an Attorney 1 to an Attorney 2 is determined by an affirmative recommendation of the department.

TOTAL COMPENSATION: $110,284- $154,338 annually. Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

Examples of Duties

• Assists or independently represents the County or a client in court, at trials, hearings arraignments, depositions; files legal documents and papers; and interviews witnesses, plaintiffs, victims, and/or clients/suspects.
• Evaluates the facts and examines evidence of specific cases or assignments.
• Conducts legal research, provides legal opinions or memorandums and drafts deeds, leases, contracts and correspondence.
• Addresses issues, questions and concerns from clients and/or their representatives regarding statutory procedures and requirements.
• Responds to written motions.
• Provides oral argument in court during guilty pleas, motion hearings, or other matters of law.
• Oversees the direct and cross examination of witnesses.
• Works with investigators, paralegals, and secretaries to manage court dates, filings, and case investigations.
• Assists former clients when they are asked to "return to court" on the basis of having violated probation.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

• Represents the County or a client in court, at hearings, arraignments, depositions, sentencing and violation hearings on conditions of community supervision, termination of diversion agreement hearings, declination hearings, warrants to be issued (arrest and bench) and detention hearings.
• Files legal documents and papers, in the Clerk’s office.
• Reviews assigned cases for probable cause.
• Researches criminal histories, and determines points compiled by juveniles for the offense and standard range for sentencing.
• Prepares briefs and memorandums for appeal proceedings.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

• Signs up new cases and conducts legal research, which includes but is not limited to: meeting with clients, reviewing police reports, reviewing body camera, reviewing video evidence, reviewing photographs, interviewing witnesses in coordination with investigators, securing funding for experts when necessary, and coordinating evaluations with experts.
• Dictates resumes, prosecutor’s statements and interstate witness subpoenas.
• Serves as liaison with Child Protective Services.
• Prepares for and appears in court for guilty pleas and probation hearings.
• Represents the State or plaintiff at arraignments, trials, sentencing and all pre-trial and post-trial hearings, including appeals in Court of Appeals and State Supreme Court.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

• Provides written and oral legal opinions to County departments; drafts deeds, leases and contracts; is involved in discovery for trial preparation including depositions, document research and interrogations.
• Answers inquiries from private citizens or their attorneys.
• Prepares pleading, motions, orders and other court papers.
• Argues cases and motions in court or before an administrative body; and reviews/settles municipal claims.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited college or university school of law.
• Two (2) years’ experience at the level of Attorney 1.
• Member of the Washington State Bar Association.
• Public Defender and Counsel for Defense Departments 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.

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.