Why It’s a Great Opportunity:  The Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) is an opportunity to work in a supportive environment with training and opportunities to improve trial skills and gain significant courtroom experience. As a DAC employee you will make a difference in people’s lives and a positive contribution to Pierce County. Attorneys will represent indigent clients in all stages of misdemeanor criminal proceedings, including arraignment, motions, trial, and review hearings.

Why It’s a Great Department:  The DAC provides professional high-quality legal representation to individuals in a variety of settings. The DAC is responsible for the delivery of mandated legal services to indigent persons accused of crimes in the Pierce County Superior Court; Pierce County District Courts; Municipal Courts in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Fircrest and Ruston; and Pierce County Juvenile Court delinquency proceedings. DAC also provides constitutionally mandated legal services to indigent parents involved in Juvenile Court dependency and termination proceedings and to persons detained for involuntary civil commitment proceedings at Western State Hospital and other evaluation and treatment facilities. Please see the DAC’s website for our diverse list of services provided.

How to be Successful in the Role:  To succeed in this role you must have strong interpersonal skills, excellent research and writing skills,  a demonstrated commitment to social justice, and provide quality legal representation and zealous advocacy for indigent clients at all stages of criminal proceedings.

Your Future in this Role:  This is a temporary, 6-month position with the potential for a permanent position to become available. Position is 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday. The Department is open to the public from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Legal representation of clients at in-custody arraignments, pretrial hearings, and post-conviction review or violation hearings.
• Case review for legal issues; legal research, writing, and oral argument.
• Trial preparation, investigation and presentation.

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