Attorney 1 - Limited Term

spokanecounty; Hudson (WI); On-site; USD 78,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Spokane County's Counsel for Defense seeks an entry-level attorney to perform civil or criminal legal work under supervision, representing the County in court and handling research, drafting, and client interviews. The role is grant-funded and requires adherence to department policy and legal standards.

Applicants should hold a Juris Doctor, be eligible for WA State Bar admission (or already admitted), and have prior law clerk or legal intern experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law, with WA State Bar Association membership in good standing or eligible for Rule 9 pathway.
• One year of prior experience as a law clerk or legal intern preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists or independently represents the County in court, at trials, hearings, and depositions; files charges and schedules hearings; interviews witnesses and clients/suspects.
• Evaluates facts and examines evidence of specific cases or assignments.
• Conducts legal research, provides opinions, drafts deeds, leases, contracts and correspondence.
• Addresses issues from clients regarding statutory procedures and requirements.
• Responds to written motions, oversees direct and cross examination of witnesses, and prepares trial memoranda and jury instructions.

Skills

Criminal law

Civil law

Legal research

Oral & written communication

Case management

Courtroom procedure

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

WA State Bar Admission

Law clerk internship

Job description

Employee Type: Regular

Department: Counsel for Defense

Salary: $77,593.91 - $94.393.34 annually

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Overtime Eligible: No

Job Posting Date Range: 09/17/2026 - Until Filled

Job Summary: Please note: This is a grant-funded position, and ongoing employment is subject to continued grant funding.

This position performs civil or criminal legal work for the County Prosecutor, Public Defender or Council for Defense. The position allocated to this class is the first and entry working level of this series and is responsible for performing civil and/or criminal legal work under the general direction of the Department Head or Elected Official, or under the direct guidance, as needed, of a higher-level attorney. While allocated to this class, employees are expected to display an ability and willingness to assume responsibility and advance rapidly to a state of functional individual competency in the employee's assigned area. Area of work is assigned and reviewed for accuracy and completeness at the onset of employment; as experience is gained, less review and supervision will be provided. All work is performed within the departmental policy guidelines and applicable law. Positions of this class may be expected to assume the responsibilities of work of a higher class for training purposes.

Promotion from an Attorney 1 to an Attorney 2 is determined by an affirmative recommendation of the department.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assists or independently represents the County or a client in court, at trials, hearings arraignments, depositions; files charges, arraigns defendants, sets release conditions, and schedules hearings; offers settlement negotiations; files legal documents and papers; and interviews witnesses, plaintiffs, victims, and/or clients/suspects.
• Evaluates the facts and examines evidence of specific cases or assignments.
• Conducts legal research, provides legal opinions or memorandums and drafts deeds, leases, contracts and correspondence.
• Addresses issues, questions and concerns from clients and/or their representatives regarding statutory procedures and requirements.
• Responds to written motions.
• Oversees the direct and cross examination of witnesses.
• Reviews pela paper work for accuracy.
• Prepares trial memoranda and jury instructions.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited college or university school of law.
• Licensed to practice law, with WA State Bar Association membership in good standing. If not yet admitted to the practice of law, candidates may be hired who possess a J.D. and have functioned as a licensed Rule 9 Legal Intern with Spokane County in the nine (9) months prior to their employment application date. If hired under Rule 9 status, candidates must sit for and pass the WA State Bar Examination and be admitted to the practice of law in WA State within one year of graduation from law school as a condition of continued employment.
• One (1) year of prior experience as a law clerk or legal intern is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of principles and practices of criminal or civil law as required by the position.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the general public and parties affected by the court and administration.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate and organize facts, evidence and legal procedures and to present information orally and in writing in a clear and logical form.
• Ability to analyze and prepare a variety of legal documents and instruments.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

• Respect: Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness. Communicating in a productive and professional manner.
• Accountability: Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
• Integrity: Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
• Innovation: Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods,