RFQ Attorney Representation for Indigent Clients Committed NGRI under Ch. 10.77 RCW

Full Job Description

About the Washington State Office of Public Defense: We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.

Mission: Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession.

Vision: Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals.

Values: Justice * Service * Equity * Excellence

We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation. To learn about OPD’s programs click here.

We are dedicated to excellence in public law and indigent defense, and we seek talented candidates who share this commitment to client-centered service.

We value employees who bring diverse backgrounds in education, employment, community activities, and life experiences to enhance our office.

Program Description

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) Forensic Civil Commitment Program provides state funded attorney representation to clients in commitment proceedings after a finding of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, under Ch. 10.77 RCW.

Position Overview

A contract attorney will provide representation to individuals who have been acquitted not guilty by reason of insanity of a criminal charge and have been committed to a state hospital or facility for treatment of their mental illness and dangerousness.

Representation includes forced medication hearings, administrative meetings within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), conditional and unconditional release hearings, bench trials, or jury trials.

A full-time attorney will carry a caseload of approximately 15 clients.

Annual compensation for a full-time caseload is $205,704.00. Contractors are responsible for all overhead such as support staff, rent, and other costs of doing business. If interested, follow the application procedures below.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required:

• Be a licensed member of good standing with the Washington StateBar Association;
• Two years of criminal or civil trial experience;
• Experience as counsel in cases involving expert witnesses and mental health issues;
• Have familiarity with the Washington Superior Court Civil Rules and the ability to become familiar with a jurisdiction’s local court rules;
• Be responsive to and communicate clearly with clients living with disabilities, and/or mental health issues, and those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP);
• Be willing to accept case appointments in multiple counties and ability to travel to a State Hospital or Client’s community placements and jurisdictions for Court hearings;
• Be compliant with the Washington State Supreme Court and WSBA Standards for Indigent Defense Services; and
• Possess experience or interest in how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals experiencing state intervention in their lives, and a willingness to challenge the State on issues of bias and prejudice.

Additional Information

Application Procedure

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply, email a letter of interest identifying your qualifications, and a resume, and a legal writing sample.

Letters of interest should describe the applicant’s current contracts for public defense or other representation as well as existing caseload, specifying the number and type of cases currently carried, if any.

Email Materials to: Laurel Brinson at Laurel.Brinson@opd.wa.gov

Please address any questions to: Jennifer Bartlett at Jennifer.Bartlett@opd.wa.gov

OPD reserves the right to amend this Request for Qualifications and reserves the right to refrain from contracting with any and all applicants.

This Request for Qualifications does not oblige the state of Washington or OPD to contract for the services specified here.

Applications received in response to this Request for Qualifications may be added to an applicant pool and used to fill other positions of a similar nature across OPD.

The Washington State Office of Public Defense vigorously pursues diversity in the work force. Women, LGBTQ+, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years of age, persons with a disability, and disabled and military veterans are encouraged to apply.