 Lower Elwha Tribal Court
Public Defender Contract Attorney
CLOSING DATE: July 7, 2023
The Lower Elwha Tribal Court is dedicated to affording due process to all persons subject to the Tribe’s adjudicatory authority. The Tribal Court seeks high quality legal representation of low-income individuals by an attorney who is an active member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association. The Public Defender will establish an attorney-client relationship with clients appointed by the Tribal Court and determine the level of services appropriate to the appointment. The Public defender will represent defendants in adult criminal cases; youth in delinquency and status offense case; parents or other legal custodians in child dependency cases; and Lower Elwha Tribal Members in contested traffic, housing, and civil regulatory cases.
The Public Defender will maintain practice standards at or above the professional and ethical standards required by the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Washington State Supreme Court, the Washington State Bar Association, the Lower Elwha Judicial Code and Court Procedures, and any applicable case law and court rules that define the duties of counsel to their clients. The Public Defender will communicate effectively, maintain contact with clients, meet with clients in person as necessary and advise clients on rights and responsibilities, choices and consequences.
The responsibilities of the Public Defender include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Performing case preparation, including review of discovery materials, investigation, interview of clients and witnesses, evaluation of evidence, legal research, and development of case strategy;
- Preparing written pleadings, motions, legal memoranda and briefs, proposed orders, proposed jury instructions, sentencing recommendations, appellate notices and briefs, and other legal documents and forms as appropriate;
- Appearing and arguing cases in the Lower Elwha Tribal Court at all stages of proceedings, including pre-trial, trial, post-trial, and appeal;
- Communicating, coordinating, and negotiating with the Tribal Prosecutor and with counsel simultaneously representing the Public Defender’s clients in other jurisdictions;
- Assisting clients to comply with court orders and to obtain assessments and services related to drug/alcohol, mental health, domestic violence, and other psychosocial issues; and
- Maintaining 24-hour availability to address urgent matters.
The Public Defender must become a member of the Elwha Tribal Court Bar, must be able to pass drug/alcohol screening and comply with drug-free workplace policy, and must be a licensed driver with private, insured vehicle for use during workday.
Professional Fees: The pay rate is $150 dollars per hour, capped at $1,200 per day. Expenses, other than travel expenses (hotel, ferry, mileage and per diem), are not included. No fees paid for secretarial or clerical services.
For more information, or to submit cover letter, resume and professional references please contact:
Julia Guarino, Associate Tribal Attorney, at julia.guarino@elwha.org, or at (360) 504-3003.
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