The Washington State Bar Association Council on Public Defense (CPD) has two openings for attorneys in private practice to each serve two year terms.  While experience with criminal defense work is helpful the attorney need not have practiced as a public defender. The CPD is a 23 member body that includes representatives from the Washington Supreme Court, the superior courts and the district courts, representatives of local governments as well as public defender attorneys, attorneys in private practice and members of the public.  The CPD has developed standards for indigent defense services that have been approved by the Board of Governors and adopted by the Supreme Court.  The CPD’s work plan for the next 18 months includes work on standards for attorneys representing juveniles charged with offenses and a summit on the mentally ill in the criminal justice system.

The application deadline is this Thursday, April 30, 2015.  WSBA staff ask that applications be submitted by noon.  Anyone interested in the position can get more information by writing directly to Bonnie Sterken, staff to the CPD, at bonnies@wsba.org.