Public Defender I

The City of Spokane Public Defender's Office seeks creative, client-focused advocates to join our diverse team of public defense attorneys. If you have a passion for public defense and a commitment to representing people in need, you have found your team!

Successful candidates are dedicated advocates, think critically and creatively in a fast-paced environment and are open to accepting feedback and opportunities to grow.

• You use independent judgment, to determine the proper course of action within the limits of law.
• You have the ability to maintain extensive outside contacts, to obtain or supply factual information.
• You must be able to prepare legal briefs and develop strategy, arguments and testimony.
• You have strong negotiation skills and bring those to court, in defense of your clients.
• You care about your community and the citizens that you serve.

Our Public Defenders have professional development opportunities, annual pay step increases, a flexible schedule and great employee benefits, including a pension plan!

As another benefit, a Public Defender I will automatically promote to a Public Defender II after one year, with a pay range of $82,705.68 to $121,250.00.

EXAMPLES OF JOB FUNCTIONS

• Prepares and conducts legal defense before the Court including representation at first appearance and arraignment.
• Gathers evidence and conducts legal research to formulate defense against charges.
• Interviews clients and witnesses and may work with an investigator to ascertain case facts, and handles other details in preparation for trial or case resolution.
• Prepares legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of the case.
• Negotiates resolution with prosecutors on non-trial cases.
• Represents client in court, examining and cross-examining witnesses. Summarizes case to jury.
• Provides advice by phone to DUI arrestees who have asked for such advice of counsel during business and non-business hours.
• Confers with colleagues with specialty in area of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings, such as therapeutic courts.
• Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

(Must be met at time of application.)

• Membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, whether by exam, diploma privilege by graduation from an accredited law school, or APR 6.

Please click "apply" to view the Civil Service examination details on the official job posting

BENEFITS

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• AFLAC
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Legal Shield/ID Shield
• Pet Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status or disability status. As a Fair Chance employer, City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non-public safety positions.