Public Defense Legal Intern, 10 Week Summer 2024, (Rule 9 Licensed)



Public Defense Legal Intern, 10 Week Summer 2024, (Rule 9 Licensed)

Salary

$27.59 Hourly

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Intern

Job Number

2023JQ19645

Department

DPD - Dept of Public Defense

Opening Date

08/01/2023

Closing Date

11/7/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines

Full- or Part-Time

Full Time

Hours/Week

40 hours/week

Summary


About the Position

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) is actively recruiting 2nd year law students to participate in a 10-week internship beginning in June 2024. This is an excellent opportunity for students considering a career in public defense. It is a rolling application – internship positions will remain open until filled.
 
The internship compensation is contingent on funding, and we anticipate filling between 15 - 20 internships. This is a non-benefit eligible position. 
 
About the Department of Public Defense

DPD represents indigent clients in several practice areas: criminal defense (felonies and misdemeanors), juvenile defense, family defense, involuntary commitment, sex offender commitments, and contempt of court. Students will be offered an internship in a single practice area and should express any preference in their cover letter.
King County is an excellent place to work in public defense. In criminal cases, our state has robust discovery rules, requiring compulsory discovery of all materials held by the prosecutor; the Washington State Constitution's exacting standards for search and seizure extend well beyond the Fourth Amendment; public defense attorneys have the ability to retain top expert witnesses; and, particularly in King County, comparatively more of our cases go to trial. Further, we are an institutional provider of family defense representation, which allows for specialization in that area.

The department also works to address racial disproportionality, the collateral consequences of system involvement, and other structural and/or systemic issues that undermine the rights of our clients. DPD employs skilled investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and other support staff.

Employment at DPD offers the chance to practice public defense at a very high level while living in a vibrant urban environment surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty.
 
To learn more about DPD, visit our website at: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/public-defense.aspx
 
Who May Apply

Second year law students in good academic standing at an American Bar Association approved law school may apply. Proof of full-time or part-time enrollment in school is required upon hire and throughout employment on a recurring schedule for the regular school year (e.g. quarterly or on a semester basis) in advance of the commencement of the next period of enrollment.
 
DPD seeks to hire interns with a wide range of life experiences. We particularly welcome applications from those who have personal experience in navigating the criminal legal system or child welfare (family regulation) system or come from communities most impacted by these systems.
 
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Internships will remain open until filled. All candidates selected for an interview will be interviewed using videoconference technology.
 
First consideration will be given to candidates who apply prior to September 4, 2023. Once all positions are filled the posting will be closed.
 
Work Locations
Positions may be assigned to work at the following locations:
Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle; 1401 E. Jefferson, Seattle; or
420 West Harrison Street, Kent.

Work Schedule

The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Specific schedules may be discussed with supervisor.
 
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Jeannette Quintero
jquintero@kingcounty.gov 
Sr. Human Resource Business Partner

Job Duties

  • Assist attorneys and appear on the record at: arraignment hearings; pretrial hearings; motion hearings; sentencing and probation review; or, if placed in civil practice areas, other hearings relevant to that practice (shelter care, review hearings, etc.).
  • Assist with trial preparations (DPD makes an effort to provide but cannot guarantee trial experience). 
  • Communication with clients as well as social workers, service providers, and other individuals involved in a client's case. 
  • Other duties as requested.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

  • By June 2024 the student will have completed two years of law school and be enrolled and in good academic standing at an American Bar Association approved law school.
  • Able to qualify as a Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern, under the WSBA rule.
  • A demonstrated interest in representing indigent persons.
  • Possess good moral character and fitness to practice law (APPs 20-24). 
  • Effective writing and communication skills.
  • Organizational and problem-solving skills.
  • Initiative and accountability for work product or service. 
  • Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment that may include personal computers, copiers, and fax machines.
  • Ability to multitask and self-direct in a fast-paced environment.

Also desired:
  • Multilingual skills are a plus.
  • Completed at least one of the following courses: evidence, criminal procedure, and a clinical or trial advocacy course.

Supplemental Information

To Apply: 
All candidates should submit the following:
 

  1. An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back long enough to include all relevant experience.
  2. A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
  3. A resume.
  4. Unofficial Transcript.
  5. A three-page self-authored writing sample.
  6. At least three references
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed and screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. Applicants may be required to demonstrate their qualifications at the time of the interview and/or skills assessment. All materials will be evaluated for spelling, grammar, and punctuation usage. The most competitive candidates will be invited to interview.
 
Please note: Students offered paid internship positions at DPD will be asked to forgo other outside funding opportunities to ensure that all our summer interns are compensated the same amount for the same work.
 
Union Membership
This position is not represented by a collective bargaining agreement.
 
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
 
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite activity centers
  • Employee Giving Program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
This recruitment requires that you submit ALL of the following materials with your online application in order to be considered for the internship: cover letter; resume; transcript; three-page self-authored writing sample, and a minimum of three references. Did you attach all of the required documents to your application?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Students offered paid internship positions at DPD may be asked to forgo other outside funding opportunities in order to ensure that all of our summer interns are compensated the same amount for the same work. Please acknowledge that you have read and understood this possibility by filling in your name in the box provided.

Required Question

Agency
King County
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone
206-477-3404