Attorneys

The Alaska Public Defender Agency hires new lawyers and experienced attorneys to handle civil (CINA and commitment), appellate, and criminal matters.

The Alaska Public Defender Agency is Hiring

We are currently accepting applications for attorneys in multiple locations and for multiple positions. Openings for attorney positions are posted below. For notification of job openings applicants should sign up for the job openings mailing list.

As of 6/24/2022:

Trial Attorney Positions

Criminal

The Alaska Public Defender Agency is currently hiring trial attorneys for its Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer, and Sitka offices. Trial attorneys for the Alaska Public Defender Agency provide court-appointed legal representation to indigent individuals in criminal cases.

Trial 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 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):

• Anchorage, Kenai, & Ketchikan: $68,659.50 - $106,450.50 annually
• Bethel: $102,999.00 - $159,685.50 annually
• Dillingham: $94,068.00 - $145,840.50 annually
• Fairbanks: $70,726.50 - $109,648.50 annually
• Kodiak: $76,206.00 - $118,170.00 annually
• Kotzebue: $109,863.00 - $170,332.50 annually
• Nome: $94,068.00 - $145,840.50 annually
• Palmer: $68,659.50 - $106,450.50 annually
• Sitka: $72,091.50- $111,774.00 annually

Civil

The Alaska Public Defender Agency is currently hiring Child in Need of Aid Attorneys (CINA) attorneys for its Anchorage office. These positions typically involve in-state travel to handle cases outside of Anchorage. The Agency has thirteen offices statewide, located in Anchorage, Utqiagvik, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer and Sitka. One aspect of the Agency's mission is to provide constitutionally mandated legal representation to indigent parents in CINA cases appointed by the court. The Agency is more rarely appointed to represent older children in CINA cases. The Agency's Civil attorneys provide legal advice and representation in CINA cases and assist parents or custodians in obtaining needed services for their families.

Salary range is commensurate with experience: $68,659.50 - $106,450.50. Job provides excellent state benefits.

How to Apply

Applicants for these 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 these positions are filled.