Website Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho
Community Defender Organization
Who you are.
You are a trusted, reliable, and efficient attorney who is eager to collaborate with other members from our team in an effort to provide effective, holistic representation. You are organized, capable of multi-tasking, and harness creativity, dedication, and persistence to overcome the myriad challenges our clients (and you) will face. You want to learn, and you want to help those around you.
What experience you’ll need.
None, and that’s the best part about our fellowship program. We’ll train you. Initial case assignments will be simple (e.g., supervised release violations and simple criminal cases), allowing you to become comfortable with how holistic representation works. Once you’re comfortable, your case assignments will become more complex. The assignments will vary, but you’ll likely work on cases involving immigration, firearms, drugs, fraud, and sex offenses. And since both our offices are surrounded by Native American lands, we also see cases coming from those lands, including assaults, murders, and robberies.
What qualifications you’ll need.
Even though you don’t need experience, you’ll still need to meet the following qualifications:
– be a graduate of an accredited law school.
– be licensed and admitted to practice before the highest court in a state no later than March 31, 2026.
– be eligible for admission to the courts where we practice (i.e., the Eastern District of Washington; the District of Idaho; and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals);
– have fewer than three (3) years of professional experience.
– Spanish fluency is preferred but not required.
– be tech-savvy, as we are a paper-light office.
What you’ll need to be willing to do.
You will be required to work at the Spokane or Yakima office unless out of the office for investigation, jail visits or other work-related business. You will be required to travel. You’ll make regular day trips (and some overnight travel) in order to investigate cases, appear for court, and meet with your clients. These trips will be throughout Eastern Washington and North/Central Idaho but may also take you to other places as well.
To apply for this job email your details to wae_employment@fd.org
