Assistant Counsel Coordinator

Profile

Assistant Counsel Coordinator
The candidate will assist the Director in managing a panel of skilled and committed attorneys to provide legal representation when the Department's four divisions cannot because of a conflict. The Department assigns attorneys to represent clients facing felonies, misdemeanors, involuntary civil commitment, juvenile offenses, and dependency petitions. Recruit attorneys to serve on the panel, oversee the panel, and work with the Training Team to ensure attorneys on the panel are well-trained and client-centered in their practice. Recruit attorneys to serve on the Department's panel of assigned counsel, review applicants to the panel, and provide ongoing management and quality control, within the confines of the RPC's rules regarding confidentiality and conflicts, to ensure DPD clients are receiving effective legal representation. Work with the Department's Training Team to ensure members of the panel are receiving ongoing and appropriate legal education. Monitor and manage the budget for assigned counsel, ensuring efficient use of the Department's funds. Manage an ongoing RFQ for assigned counsel. Create, oversee, and update, as needed, policies governing assigned counsel. Work with the Department's case coordinators to ensure cases are being assigned to appropriate outside counsel. Other duties as assigned. Assist the Special Counsels in developing systemic litigation, honing DPD's training program, and representing DPD at stakeholder meetings (under the supervision of the one of the Special Counsels). Through consultation with the Special Counsels and depending on the successful applicant's interests and expertise, develop and work on projects involving impact litigation, training, policy advocacy and reform, and criminal and/or civil practice. Represent DPD in meetings and workgroups involving policy, litigation, and legislation affecting DPD's clients and interests (e.g., Zero Youth Detention, Budget for Justice, extended foster care workgroup, County and City pre-trial bail reform workgroups). Prepare informational memorandum for the Special Counsels and the Director regarding issues emerging from stakeholder meetings. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualification and Experience

The candidate must have J.D. from an accredited law school and 5+ years of experience providing high level project management and/or program coordination in a legal setting OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the job. Supervisory and/or lead experience (which can include work with mitigation specialists, paralegals or investigators on cases) is required. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse personalities, be collaborative and foster a continuous learning environment is necessary. Proficiency in or willingness to develop proficiency in computer skills (including but not limited to Sharepoint and Excel) are needed. Previous public defense experience is desired.

Additional info

Job Number: 2019SE10140

Company info

Hiring Coordinator
King County Office of the Public Defense
Walthew Building
123 3rd Ave S , 4th Floor
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-477-3404