Appellate Resource Attorney

AWe Want You to Join Our Passionate Public Defense Team!

About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)

We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.

Mission: Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession. Vision: Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals. Values: Justice * Service * Equity * Excellence

We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation. To learn about OPD’s programs click here. We are dedicated to excellence in public law and indigent defense, and we seek talented candidates who share this commitment to client-centered service. We value employees who bring diverse backgrounds in education, employment, community activities, and life experiences to enhance our office.

The Appellate and Post-Conviction Unit The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) is charged with recruiting and supporting contract attorneys who represent clients in appellate and post-conviction proceedings at the WA Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Additionally, OPD has limited funding to assist certain individuals file their first, timely personal restraint petition. To fulfill these duties, OPD is required to provide technical assistance, training, and resources to its contract attorneys to ensure the highest level of representation. To accomplish this, OPD is intent on developing its internal capacity to design and deliver this support. Critical to this will be the Appellate Resource Attorney.

The Position The Appellate Resource Attorney is a managing attorney position who provides support for contract attorneys through a variety of methods to include case staffing and consultation, training development and delivery, monitoring contractor performance, and engaging with stakeholders to identify methods to improve contractor performance. The Appellate Resource Attorney will report to the Appellate and Post-Conviction Unit Supervisor. This is a new position, and represents OPD’s commitment to grow and develop its Appellate Program to better assist and support contract attorneys to improve upon client-centered representation.

• Assist with the recruitment and selection of attorneys and firms for OPD’s appellate and post-conviction work.
• Coach and provide case consultation support to contract appellate and post-conviction attorneys, with an emphasis on attorneys who are new to appellate practice
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop and deliver practical training to contract attorneys
• Manage and update curriculum to remain current on legal and practice developments
• Build stakeholder relationships to identify opportunities to improve contractor performance
• Monitor contractor performance to measure application of coaching and training support
• Assist with the evaluation of evolving case weighting standards
• Perform other related functions

Minimum Qualifications

• Law degree from an accredited college or university
• Licensed to practice law in Washinton State or the ability to be licensed in Washington within one year of recruitment
• No less than five years of experience of criminal appellate experience practice
• No fewer than twenty-five appeals, including Class A and life without parole cases
• A demonstrated commitment to social justice and serving communities historically unable to fully access the judicial system
• The ability to work on-site at our Olympia office at least two days per week

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in a public defense office or as an indigent defense contractor
• Felony trial practice experience
• Family defense trial practice experience
• Experience in developing professional learning materials
• Experience mentoring or supervising public defense attorneys new to trial or appellate practice
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, justice, and public service

General Responsibilities

• Exercise mature judgment in potentially sensitive, high-stress situations

• Participate in and foster a collaborative working environment at OPD, with statewide stakeholder groups, and in demographically diverse local court systems

• Diligently follow state employee ethics requirements

• Conduct all activities with the highest degree of professionalism in furtherance of OPD’s Mission, Vision and Values

• Participate in and foster a collaborative working environment at OPD, statewide stakeholder groups, and in demographically diverse local court systems.

• Diligently follow attorney and state employee ethics requirements.

• Conduct all activities with the highest degree of professionalism in furtherance of OPD’s Mission, Vision and Values.

Compensation Annual Salary Range of $116,544 to $145,548 Compensation depends on qualifications. Washington State employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package that includes paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, retirement and health, dental and life insurance coverage for self and family. There are also options for deferred compensation, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, and eligibility for federal public loan forgiveness.

Application Process To be considered, interested candidates must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above.) You must complete the entire online application. In addition to the online application, please provide:

• A letter of interest;
• Current résumé;
• Two appellate briefs; and
• At least three professional references.

Questions about this position may be directed to Sean Devlin, Appellate and Post-Conviction Unit Supervisor, [email protected] or 564-999-6658.

If you have problems navigating the online application process and/or uploading the required documents, email [email protected] for assistance. If any of the additional requested items are missing your application may not be considered.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion We vigorously pursue diversity in the work force. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years of age, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, formerly incarcerated, prior child welfare involvement, and military veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.

Teleworking Our offices are in Olympia, Washington. We have teleworking options available according to ODP policy and will be considered on an individual basis depending on the needs of the position and the availability of adequate equipment. However, the Appellate Resource Attorney will be required to be on-site at least two days per week.