Attorney 3 - Counsel for Defense
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Attorney 3 - Counsel for Defense
Salary
$104,833.96 - $146,720.27 Annually
Location
WA 99260, WA
Job Type
Regular
Job Number
25-00191
Department
Counsel for Defense
Opening Date
10/07/2025
Closing Date
Continuous
FLSA
Exempt
Description
Benefits
Questions
Job Summary
This position works 40 hours per week in the Counsel for Defense Department.
This position performs advanced professional civil/criminal legal work for the County Prosecutor, Public Defender or Counsel for Defense. The position allocated to this class is responsible for performing advanced civil or criminal legal work with considerable professional independence and expertise. Positions in this class differ from positions at the Attorney 2 level by the expertise required, variety of legal matters encountered, number of cases assigned and supervisory responsibilities. Positions function with considerable professional independence, at times, assigning specific cases to lower level attorneys after making decisions to prosecute or provide defense services within established policy. Work is usually reviewed only at completion. Professional advice and consultation is provided by these positions to lower level attorney positions. A position at this level may head the legal activities of a section and provide performance analysis of lower level employees.
TOTAL COMPENSATION: $134,187- $187,801 annually. Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.
Examples of Duties
As an Attorney on the Civil Team:
Serves as legal counsel for the County elected officials, appointed department heads and boards or commissions, including writing legal opinions.
Provides oral interpretations of the County ordinances and, State and Federal laws, entering notices of appearance, providing discovery and trying all cases not handled by insurance carriers.
Defends labor-management grievances.
Prepares and negotiates land sales and acquisitions and prepares ordinances and resolutions.
Advises and represents school districts regarding student and personnel matters.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
As an Attorney on the Civil Team:
Serves as legal counsel for the Spokane County Safety/Loss Control Department, and is responsible for trying certain cases. In this position the attorney must have experience in employment law, environmental law, workers' compensation law, constitutional (State and federal) law, tort law, (including personal injury), land use law, construction law, contract law, and municipal law. The attorney in this position must have demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of safety/loss control policies and procedures.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
As an Attorney on the Juvenile Team:
Screens and assigns juvenile offense cases to section attorneys.
Implements and supervises office procedures and staff functions.
Provides legal advice in juvenile offense cases.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
As an Attorney on the Felony Team:
Evaluates the investigative results on alleged crimes and decides whether to charge and if so, with what crime or whether to refer the case back to the investigator for further investigation, or whether to decline criminal prosecution.
Prepares legal pleading for charging.
Prepares cases for trial, including interviewing witnesses; sorting evidence; conducting follow-up investigations; preparing issues and instruction; pretrial motions, opening statements, witness questions, trial strategies and final preparation of witnesses.
Presents the state's case in court on homicide, negligent homicide, fraud, arson, robbery and other felonies.
Reviews and prepares record on appeal, briefings and arguments in Court of Appeals, Supreme Court and US Supreme Court.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
As an Attorney on the Family Law Team:
Plans, assigns, and evaluates the work of the section, provides professional legal advice to and reviews the work of section attorneys.
Consults with and advises the State Office of Support Enforcement (OSE) in matters concerning cases.
Discusses legal theories, authorities and strategies of actions handled by department attorneys.
Discusses and consults with department employees on matters of office policies and assignments; effectively recommends hiring, firing, promotion, and career moves of attorneys and other employees.
Administers and effectively recommends administration of discipline.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
As an Attorney in the Public Defender or Counsel for Defense Department:
Provides advanced and professional defense services to indigent adults and juveniles charged with a crime.
Supervises and mentors new lawyers with case analysis, covering cases, and assists with issues regarding client care.
Evaluates and investigates felony case assignments, which includes interviewing witnesses, reviewing police reports, and preparing for trial.
Prepares legal memorandums, motions and notes.
Maintains contact with clients whether in or out of custody, by meeting with them in the jail, at the office, and by phone.
Attends all required court hearings, arraignments, pleas, and trials
Negotiates and communicates with prosecutors and witnesses in order to reach resolution in assigned matters.
Provides coverage and case assistance when needed.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
Minimum Requirements
Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited college or university school of law.
Four (4) years of experience at a level equivalent to Attorney 2 or substituting advanced professional legal training in civil or criminal law and procedure as required by the position for up to one year of the experience.
Member of the Washington State Bar Association.
Public Defender and Counsel for Defense Departments only: if not licensed to practice law in WA State, must meet the requirements under APR 8- Exception for Indigent Representation.
Candidate must be a member in good standing of the bar in another state and have applied and be pending approval by the WSBA under WA Supreme Court APR 3.
Selection Factors
Knowledge of principles and practices of criminal or civil law as required by the position.
Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
Knowledge of effective techniques and the presentation of cases in court.
Knowledge to include litigation experience in the examples of duties in which the attorney was the lead attorney.
Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the general public and parties affected by the court and administration.
Ability to analyze, evaluate and organize facts, evidence and legal procedures and to present information orally and in writing in a clear and logical form.
Ability to analyze and prepare a variety of legal documents and instruments.
SPOKANE COUNTY
Employee Benefits Summary
The following is a brief list of benefits available to Spokane County regular employees. Complete information is available from Human Resources Department. This information is subject to change.
PAID TIME OFF
Spokane County Observed Holidays
Up to 10 (ten) paid holidays are observed by Spokane County.
PTO
Non-represented and a select group of represented employees receive a bank of hours that combine both vacation and sick leave into a paid time off bank. There is no waiting period to use this time and it starts out at almost 2 days per month accrual increasing in accrual rates annually for first 5 years.
Vacation
For employees with less than five (5) years of continuous service, the accrual rate is 1 day of vacation each month for a total of 12 days per year. After six (6) months, employees are eligible to take accumulated vacation time. (Please note the vacation time accumulation may vary depending on contract language).
Sick Leave
Sick leave is earned at 1 day per month and can be taken as the days are accumulated.
Other Leaves
Spokane County provides several other paid leaves such as: bereavement leave, jury duty and military duty leave.
INSURANCE BENEFITS
Medical Insurance
Two plans are currently available: Premera Blue Cross (PPO) and Kaiser Permanente (HMO). Spokane County pays 95% of the premium for full-time employees and 90% of the premiums for spouses and dependents. Premiums are deducted each pay period (pay periods: 15th and last day of the month).
2024 Rates:
Premera
Employee Only: $38.04 per month
Employee & Spouse: $149.52 per month
Employee & Family: $209.60 per month
Employee & Child(ren): $136.16 per month
Kaiser:
Employee: $35.92 per month
Employee & Spouse: $140.56 per month
Employee & Family: $196.06 per month
Employee & Child(ren): $128.58 per month
Dental Insurance
Two plans are currently available: Delta Dental of Washington (PPO) and Willamette Dental (DMO). Spokane County pays 95% of the premium for full-time employees and 90% of the premiums for spouses and dependents.
2024 Rates:
Delta Dental Willamette Dental
Employee: $5.74 per month Employee: $5.98 per month
Family: $11.48 per month Family: $11.96 per month
Group Life Insurance
The County provides a $25,000 group life insurance policy to employees. The County provides a $10,000 benefit for those represented by 492, 492CS & 492CL. This benefit is paid in full by Spokane County.
Long Term Disability Coverage
Provides an income protection benefit in the event of a long-term illness or injury at rate of 60% of income up to a maximum of $5,000 per month. Spokane County pays the full premium for this plan. Deputy Sheriff's receive a benefit through their union for disability.
RETIREMENT
Retirement Plan (401a)
Spokane County employees are automatically included in the Washington State Retirement System. Both the employer and the employee contribute to the plan. This retirement plan provides a guaranteed lifetime monthly benefit once vested and eligible for retirement.
Additional Retirement Plan Option (457b)
Employees may supplement their retirement income and save money on taxes by participating in this optional County program. Roth (after-tax) option is also available through this retirement plan.
VOLUNTARY BENEFITS
AFLAC
Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay for benefits not covered by major medical insurance. The employee pays 100% of the premium.
Travel Assistance
Provides additional travel protections anytime you travel more than 100 miles from home. Includes pre-trip information, emergency ticket replacement, and emergency evacuation coverage. This benefit is paid in full by Spokane County.
Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
Spokane County sponsors a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account to allow out-of-pocket Medical & Daycare Expenses to be paid with Tax Free Dollars. Premiums are automatically set up pre-tax under the FSA.
Voluntary Term Life Insurance
Voluntary Term Life Insurance is additional optional life insurance provided through The Standard Insurance. New employees are guaranteed up to $50,000 for self and $20,000 for a spouse with no medical underwriting needed.
WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS
Employee Assistance Program
Employees and their family members are eligible to receive free counseling. There are also benefits relating to financial and legal concerns.
Reduced Cost Bus Pass Program
Spokane County participates in a program with STA which discounts bus passes to $5 a month.
Wellness Programs
There are opportunities for nearby exercise programs at reduced cost and education programs around wellness themes including financial well-being, nutrition and stress reduction.
Discounts
There are local and national discounts available to Spokane County employees.
01
Describe your criminal defense litigation experience (trial to verdict). Include numbers of adult felony cases, adult misdemeanor cases and juvenile felony and misdemeanor cases tried and subsequent verdicts.
02
Under the WSBA Revised Standards of Indigent Defense, what is your highest felony qualification? Are you qualified for felony high sex offenses? Are you qualified for felony high LWOP?
Required Question
Employer
Spokane County
Address
824 N Adams Spokane, Washington, 99260
Phone
509-477-5750
Website
http://www.spokanecounty.org/employment
