The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking dedicated Public Defense Attorneys who are passionate about advocating for our clients. Our collaborative approach means that you’ll work alongside skilled investigators, mitigation specialist, paralegals, and other committed support staff, ensuring that we provide exceptional, client-centered representation.

DPD is the best-resourced public defense agency in the first state to adopt new caseload standards for public defenders based on the National Public Defense Workload Study | RAND. These standards, adopted by the Washington State Bar Association in March 2024, limit public defenders in felony practice to 110 weighted case credits in 2025, 90 weighted case credits in 2026, and 47 weighted case credits annually by 2027. The new standards also weigh more serious charges with additional credit, leading to even lower limits for public defenders defending against more serious alleged offenses.

Throughout their phased-in implementation beginning in July 2025, these new caseload standards will afford DPD’s attorneys the time they need to fully investigate and litigate every client’s case. Just as importantly, we believe these standards – along with the training and support all our staff receive – will allow public defenders joining DPD to have a long, sustainable career providing representation they can be proud of to the most vulnerable members of our community. DPD has already began implementing phase I standards a year in advance.  This shows DPD’s commitment to being a leader in the field of public defense.

For full job description, and to apply: Click Here