County Attorney 1 - Misdemeanor Salary $84,900.15 - $112,597.70 Annually Location Tacoma, WA Job Type Regular - Other Job Number 26-00015 Department Assigned Counsel Division Department of Assigned Counsel Opening Date 01/05/2026
Description Applicants who have a scheduled bar examination are encouraged to apply. Conditional offers of employment can be made in advance of passing the bar examination, contingent upon completion and passing of all pre-employment requirements.
Position Summary Why Its a Great Opportunity: The Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) provides the opportunity to work in a supportive environment with significant training and opportunities to improve trial skills by providing active courtroom experience with ongoing support. As a DAC employee you will make a difference in peoples lives and a positive contribution to Pierce County. DAC Attorneys represent indigent clients in all stages of misdemeanor criminal proceedings, including arraignment, motions, trial, and review hearings. Why Its a Great Department: The Department of Assigned Counsel (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 Court; Tacoma, University Place, Eatonville and Edgewood Municipal Courts; and Pierce County Juvenile Court proceedings. DAC also provides constitutionally mandated legal services to persons detained for involuntary civil commitment proceedings at Western State Hospital and other evaluation and treatment facilities.
The mission of the Department of Assigned Counsel is to provide and administer the public defense delivery system in Pierce County in a manner that assures eligible people receive professional and effective representation while efficiently utilizing public resources. The Department of Assigned Counsel provides professional high-quality representation to individuals in a variety of settings. For more information about our great organization, please visit by clicking here.
How to be Successful in the Role You will bring your strong interpersonal skills, excellent research and writing skills, commitment to social justice, ability to provide quality legal representation and zealous advocacy for indigent clients at all stages of criminal proceedings to this role. If you are passionate about advocating for your clients, are organized and detail-oriented, can adjust and adapt to unexpected circumstances, and ask questions when assistance or guidance is needed, then this role is for you. Prior courtroom experience is preferred but not required. Your Future in this Role: In this role you will represent clients at all stages of criminal proceedings, gaining experience and expertise in the process. You will have the opportunity to progressively take on more challenging cases and legal issues. New attorneys will have at least one other attorney assigned to a courtroom with them, they will also be assigned a mentor. The department regularly hosts in-house trainings throughout the year (approximately 18 annually), as well as provides access to other training resources, including statewide memberships. Pierce County offers a Leadership Certificate Program, Employee Resource Groups, and many other learning and growth opportunities.
Core Daily Responsibilities Provide legal representation for accused at in-custody arraignment proceedings. Preparation and presentation at pretrial motion practices. Trial preparation, investigation and presentation. Plea negotiation processes. Responsibility to present appeals to Superior Court and provide legal representation during the appellate process. Representation at sentencing proceedings, post-trial motions and revocation proceedings. Lead responsibility of Rule 9 Legal Licensed Legal Interns. Manage a substantial caseload of clients. Provide legal representation to all eligible clients who are the subject of civil commitment proceedings in superior court, including representation at 72-hour hearings, 14-day hearings, 90-day hearings, 180-day hearings, motions to revise, appeals and other applicable motions practice. Trial preparation, investigation and presentation. A complete list of duties can be found in the classification description here.
Qualifications Juris Doctorate Meet minimum professional qualifications per the Washington State Supreme Court Standards for Indigent Defense found at CrR 3.1 CrR3.1 Standards for Indigent Defense. Admission to the Washington State Bar Association and license to practice law in Washington State. Valid Driver's license. This position requires you to submit a resume, cover letter, Unofficial Law School Transcript, list of at least 3 references, and a writing sample.
Preferred Qualifications Experience in a courtroom or clinic.
Special Requirements/Qualifications As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.
Supplemental Information To be considered for this opportunity please: Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs. If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title. If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers. Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need. This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the Countys needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home? We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind.
Benefits Vacation (Annual Leave) After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave. Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows: Vacation Accruals: During years 1-3, 12 Days During years 4-7, 16 Days During years 8-13, 20 Days During years 14-18, 23 Days During years 19, 24 Days During years 20, 25 Days During years 21, 26 Days During years 22, 27 Days During years 23, 28 Days During years 24, 29 Days During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next. Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave: Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays: Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows: New Years Day - January 1 Martin Luther King, Jrs birthday - Third Monday in January Presidents Day - Third Monday in February Memorial Day - Last Monday in May Juneteenth - June 19 Independence Day - July 4 Labor Day - First Monday in September Veterans Day - November 11 Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after Christmas Day - December 25 Personal Holidays: Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued. Furlough: Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays. Sick Leave: Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month. Insurance Benefits: Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the Pierce County Health Benefits website. Retirement and Deferred Compensation: Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washingtons Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. Social Security: All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social