STATE OF WASHINGTONOFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENSEREQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONSRFQ25002ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION FOR INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITHDRUG POSSESSION OFFENSES IN COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION(BENEFITS INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITEDOES NOT APPLY TO CONTRACTORS)About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD): 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 * ExcellenceBackgroundThe 2023 Washington State Legislature appropriated funding to the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) to help counties and cities provide public defense services for individuals charged under the offenses created in Second Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill (2E2SSB) 5536. Our Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation (SPAR) Program administers and disburses these funds. The legislature limited these funds to counties with a population of 500,000 or less, or to cities with a population of 200,000 or less.Under RCW 2.70.200, OPD may provide reimbursement of eligible expenses to qualifying jurisdictions or, at the election of the jurisdiction, contract directly with indigent defense providers for consultation and representation services for indigent adults facing drug possession charges. OPD is piloting the direct client services piece of the SPAR program in two regions. Within those two regions, four municipal jurisdictions elected to designate OPD to directly contract with indigent defense providers: the City of Vancouver, the City of Kennewick, the City of Richland, and the City of West Richland.SPAR PurposeTo promote consistent, quality defense representation in courts of limited jurisdiction for every indigent client facing or charged with possession offenses.Position SummaryOPD will enter into contracts with solo practice attorneys and/or multi-attorney organizations to provide indigent defense consultation and representation services for individuals facing drug possession or public use charges in a court of limited jurisdiction. For the purposes of representation on filed cases, an individual may be charged with misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses other than drug possession or public use; the cause number need not be limited to drug possession or public use charges.Work & CompensationThe City of Kennewick, the City of West Richland, and the City of Richland: OPD is recruiting for two contracts of up to 100% full-time SPAR caseload (300 open and active misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor cases that include a drug possession or public use charge) filed in Benton County District Court, stemming from charges in one of these municipalities, and non-caseload related work. OPD's preference is for one attorney/firm to contract to take all three jurisdictions under one contract; charging data indicates the majority of charges come from Kennewick. However, OPD will also accept applications per jurisdiction or applications for part-time work covering all three jurisdictions, but the caseload would be reduced in that event, and compensation may be reduced accordingly. Position is open until filled. Start date is negotiable.The approximate caseload for a full-time SPAR attorney is 300 cases. The current annual compensation for a full-time contract is $130,000. Part-time attorney position compensation is pro-rated based on a percentage of a full-time case load. Compensation includes all overhead such as support staff, rent, and other costs of doing business. PFML often is available to employees of our contractors (including private law firms). PFML program includes an opt-in for self-employed people such as our solo practice contractors. More information can be found at the following link https://paidleave.wa.gov/elective-coverage/SupportOPD provides contracted attorneys access to funds for expert services pursuant to SPAR's expert services policy, as well as access to technical support. OPD also provides training opportunities and training materials.Required Qualifications:Licensed member in good standing with the Washington State Bar;Carries malpractice insurance;At least 2 years of criminal defense practice in Washington state;Knowledge of Washington State criminal law;Knowledge of criminal practice and procedure in Washington State.Ability to meet Washington State Supreme Court Standards for Indigent Defense.Ability to be responsive to, and communicate clearly with, clients who are often under a great deal of stress.Experience or interest in how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals in the criminal legal system and a willingness to challenge these disparities.Desired Qualifications:In addition, the following qualifications are preferred:Experience practicing law as a public defense attorney;Experience working with people from marginalized communities.Experience in the court for which you are interested.How to Apply:Please send the following information as soon as possible. Questions regarding applications and completed applications can be sent to ****** Letter describing how you meet the qualifications listed above and why you are interested in the contract;Your Resume or Resume of Attorneys in your firm who would participate in delivery of these services;Two Professional References; and,Information about the following (can be included in your cover letter):Whether you hold any other current contracts for public defense, and with whom.Other representation obligations, such as private practice clients.Existing caseload.How you plan to balance this contract, if awarded, with your other professional commitments.This is a contract position and is not eligible for state benefits orconsidered employment through OPD.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 obligate the state of Washington or OPD to contract for the services specified here.The Washington State Office of Public Defense vigorously pursues diversity in the work force. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities, formerly incarcerated individuals, people with lived experience in the juvenile/criminal legal system, and military veterans are encouraged to apply.
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