Public Defender

Salary and Location

Salary: $72,474.48 - $ Annually

Location: City of Spokane, WA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 095-2026

Department: Public Defender

Opening Date: 02/09/2026

Closing Date: 03/23/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

The City of Spokane Public Defender's Office seeks creative, client-focused advocates to join our diverse team of public defense attorneys. If you have a passion for public defense and a commitment to representing people in need, you have found your team! Successful candidates are dedicated advocates, think critically and creatively in a fast-paced environment and are open to accepting feedback and opportunities to grow.

• You use independent judgment, to determine the proper course of action within the limits of law.
• You have the ability to maintain extensive outside contacts, to obtain or supply factual information.
• You must be able to prepare legal briefs and develop strategy, arguments and testimony.
• You have strong negotiation skills and bring those to court, in defense of your clients.
• You care about your community and the citizens that you serve.

• Prepares and conducts legal defense before the Court including representation at first appearance and arraignment.
• Gathers evidence and conducts legal research to formulate defense against charges.
• Interviews clients and witnesses and may work with an investigator to ascertain case facts, and handles other details in preparation for trial or case resolution.
• Prepares legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of the case.
• Negotiates resolution with prosecutors on non-trial cases.
• Represents client in court, examining and cross‑examining witnesses. Summarizes case to jury.
• Provides advice by phone to DUI arrestees who have asked for such advice of counsel during business and non‑business hours.
• Confers with colleagues with specialty in area of law to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings, such as therapeutic courts.
• Performs related work as required.

• Membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, whether by exam, diploma privilege by graduation from an accredited law school, or APR 6.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and pass the examination for this position to be eligible for hire.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or disability status. As a Fair Chance Employer, the City of Spokane does not conduct initial background screening for non‑public safety positions.

In addition to a salary, The City of Spokane provides a generous benefits package valued between $24,902 – $34,218.

• Medical – Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) via Kaiser Permanente or Preferred Provider Option (PPO) via Premera Blue Cross.
• Vision – included in the selected medical plan.
• Dental – Delta Dental of Washington;
  City pays the monthly premium in full for employee and eligible dependents.
• Life Insurance – Basic Term Life Insurance at one and a half times annual base salary to a maximum of $150,000 for employees; $5,000 for spouse/domestic partner and $2,000 per child for eligible dependents.
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA.

Spokane Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) – defined benefit pension plan with 11% City contribution; vesting after seven years for employees hired on or after 01/01/2015.

Deferred Compensation – City-sponsored 457 Plan with optional Roth option; minimum contribution of $15 per paycheck.

Official Holidays – seven paid holidays with observance rules. Floating Holidays – up to 48 hours annually.

Vacation and Sick Leave – accrual rates detailed per service length.

• Employee Assistance Program – counseling and resources for personal and financial issues.
• Employer‑Sponsored Bus Pass – unlimited rides free of charge via Spokane Transit Authority.

All applicants must complete and submit a City of Spokane employment application online by 4:00 PM on the filing cut‑off date.

Applicants who require alternative accessible tests at time of application may request such accommodations.