Public Defender Agency - Employment - Attorneys
Attorneys
The Alaska Public Defender Agency hires new and experienced attorneys to handle Criminal, Juvenile, Child in Need of Aid, Commitment, Appellate, and Post-Conviction relief cases. The Agency has thirteen offices statewide, located in Anchorage, Utqiagvik, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer and Sitka. Salaries vary based on years of experience and by location based on State of Alaska Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).
Applicants for all positions must possess outstanding writing and analytical skills and be able to work independently to research and compose legal briefs as well as possess strong oral advocacy skills. Applicants must be admitted to the Alaska bar, be willing to sit for the next Alaska Bar exam, or be eligible for bar admission by reciprocity. Prior legal experience preferred.
If interested, please submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample of 15 pages or less, and three references by email to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov. The legal writing sample should reflect the applicant's own work without significant revision from others. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled.
We are currently accepting applications for the following Attorney positions:
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Parent and Youth Representation in Child Protection Cases
(Attorney 1/2/3/4) Starting Salary Range Dependent on Location:
- Anchorage, Starting Salary Range: $90,012.00 – $134,979.00 annually
- Bethel, Starting Salary Range: $135,018.00 - $202,468.50 annually
- Fairbanks, Starting Salary Range: $92,703.00 - $139,035.00 annually
The Alaska Public Defender Agency is currently hiring attorneys for its Anchorage office to represent parents and youth in child protection matters (child-in-need-of-aid (CINA) cases). This position may involve travel. The Agency has thirteen offices statewide, located in Anchorage, Utqiagvik, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer and Sitka.
The Agency provides constitutionally mandated legal representation to indigent parents and youth when appointed by the court. The Agency has a vigorous trial practice and provides robust out of court advocacy in child welfare matters.
Attorneys in the Agency enjoy the mentorship and community of a unified statewide defense agency, training opportunities, and competitive benefits and salaries. Additionally, the Agency provides paid time off to study for the Bar examination, pays annual Bar dues, and reimburses some moving expenses. Alaska allows a 10-month limited license to practice for public defenders prior to gaining admission to the Alaska Bar Association. Salary range is commensurate with experience and dependent on location (COLA included).
Please submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample of 15 pages or less, and three references by email to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov. The legal writing sample should reflect the applicant's own work without significant revision from others. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
Anchorage Mental Health Trial Attorney
(Attorney 4) Starting Salary Range: $82,914.00 - $128,544.00 annually
TThe Alaska Public Defender Agency is currently hiring an attorney to provide direct representation to clients facing involuntary commitment in Anchorage. The attorney will have the opportunity to engage in a robust civil trial practice, including both bench trials and jury trials, as part of a close-knit team. The attorney may also occasionally assist with criminal cases where an understanding of mental health issues is integral to effective representation of the client. The Agency provides constitutionally-mandated legal representation to indigent individuals who are subject to involuntary psychiatric treatment. Public Defender Agency attorneys enjoy the mentorship and community of a statewide defense agency, with frequent opportunities for training and professional growth. In addition to a competitive salary and benefits, the Agency provides paid time off to study for the bar examination, pays annual bar dues, and reimburses some moving expenses. Alaska allows a 10-month limited license to practice for public defenders prior to gaining admission to the Alaska Bar. Salary range is commensurate with experience, with a starting salary range of $82,000-$128,000 annually.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample of 15 pages or less, and three references by email to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov. The legal writing sample should reflect the applicant's own work without significant revision from others. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
Criminal Trial Attorneys
(Attorney 1/2/3/4) Starting Salary Range Dependent on Location:
- Bethel, Starting Salary Range: $135,018.00 - $202,468.50 annually
- Fairbanks, Starting Salary Range: $92,703.00 - $139,035.00 annually
- Kenai, Starting Salary Range: $90,012.00 – $134,979.00 annually
- Nome, Starting Salary Range: $113,000 - 176,000 annually
Attorneys for the Alaska Public Defender Agency provide court-appointed legal representation to indigent individuals in criminal cases. Our Attorneys enjoy the mentorship and community of a unified statewide defense agency, training opportunities, and competitive benefits and salaries. Additionally, the Agency provides paid time off to study for the Bar examination, pays annual Bar dues, and reimburses some moving expenses. Alaska allows a 10-month limited license to practice for public defenders prior to gaining admission to the Alaska Bar Association. Salary range is commensurate with experience and dependent on location (COLA included).
Please submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample of 15 pages or less, and three references by email to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov. The legal writing sample should reflect the applicant's own work without significant revision from others. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
Anchorage Criminal Trial Attorney
(Attorney 4) Starting Salary Range: $90,012.00 – $134,979.00 annually
The Alaska Public Defender Agency is hiring for an Attorney 4 in our Anchorage criminal section. This attorney would represent clients in the most serious cases – unclassified felonies and sexual assault/sexual abuse of a minor cases. The attorney is expected to be able to operate independently in handling those cases, evaluating discovery, negotiating, litigating motions, overseeing investigation, and conducting trials. Must be an active member of the Alaska Bar Association or eligible to waive in without taking the Bar exam.
Aside from being part of a statewide Agency and having access to the resources that that offers, the Agency provides paid time off to study for the Bar examination, pays annual Bar dues, and reimburses some moving expenses. Alaska allows a 10-month limited license to practice for public defenders prior to gaining admission to the Alaska Bar Association. Salary commensurate with experience but up to $128,000 annually.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample of 15 pages or less, and three references by email to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov. The legal writing sample should reflect the applicant's own work without significant revision from others. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
Contract Attorneys
The Public Defender Agency is hiring contractors for criminal cases at all levels, CINA, and appellate cases, throughout the state. Our current hourly rate is $175/hour and we offer support for ancillary services such as expert, travel, and transcripts. The Agency does offer flat fee case contracts as well, with new increased case caps:
- U felonies - $25,000 flat or $175/hour with a $30,000 cap
- A felonies - $9,000 flat or $175/hour with a $14,000 cap
- Sex felonies – $10,000 flat or $175/hour with a $15,000 cap
- B felonies - $7,000 flat or $175/hour with a $12,000 cap
- C felonies - $4500 flat or $175/hour with a $10,000 cap
For more information or to express your interest email PDARecruitment@alaska.gov.