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 indigent persons, 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, accompanied by a starting salary of $73,936.08. The pay range for Public Defender II goes up to a yearly salary of $98,240.40.

Please visit the City of Spokane Career Center at governmentjobs.com/careers/spokanecity, for the full job specification and compensation details.

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.

For more information, including how to apply, click here.