kc dpd: kc pao promotion standards

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PROMOTION STANDARDS All Civil Division Attorneys The office expects all attorneys to regularly display certain qualities, including the following: ability to complete litigation and non-litigation assignments acceptance of individual responsibility for cases, projects, and client requests thorough and timely completion of assignments prompt communication with supervisors and clients about the status of matters expertise in assigned areas sharing expertise with other Civil Division attorneys embracing cross-sectional and other special projects, even if outside of area of existing expertise active management of multiple competing priorities regularly maintaining business hours and, as cases and other assignments require, periodically working substantially more than regular business hours appropriate attire and behavior perfonnance in accordance with Civil Division evaluation standards in addition to what's noted above, compliance with all other Office policies Step Increases and Other Promotions All step increases are merit based and discretionary. Step increases to Senior Deputy and from one level of Senior Deputy to another are considered promotions. Additionally, promotions and other step increases may be limited by budget considerations and may also be limited by the availability of such positions. Senior Deputy I Promotion to Senior Deputy requires consistent, long-tenn demonstration of all of the general attorney qualities listed above and, in addition, the following: demonstration of excellent legal skills, including written skills, oral skills, advocacy skills, and advising skills lead responsibility for significant litigation and advising matters lead responsibility on matters with management-level clients Senior Deputy II Promo lion to Senior Deputy II requires consistent, long-term demonstration of the following: all qualities described above lead responsibility on matters with division-director clients lead responsibility for cross-sectional or other special projects 4/29/2008 Page 1 of 2

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KC PAO Promotion Standards. Read more at the June 26, 2014 bargaining bulletin here: http://www.seiu925.org/?p=3458

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Page 1: KC DPD: KC PAO Promotion Standards

PROMOTION STANDARDS

All Civil Division Attorneys

The office expects all attorneys to regularly display certain qualities, including the following:

ability to complete litigation and non-litigation assignments acceptance of individual responsibility for cases, projects, and client requests thorough and timely completion of assignments prompt communication with supervisors and clients about the status of matters expertise in assigned areas sharing expertise with other Civil Division attorneys embracing cross-sectional and other special projects, even if outside of area of existing expertise active management of multiple competing priorities regularly maintaining business hours and, as cases and other assignments require, periodically working substantially more than regular business hours appropriate attire and behavior perfonnance in accordance with Civil Division evaluation standards in addition to what's noted above, compliance with all other Office policies

Step Increases and Other Promotions

All step increases are merit based and discretionary. Step increases to Senior Deputy and from one level of Senior Deputy to another are considered promotions. Additionally, promotions and other step increases may be limited by budget considerations and may also be limited by the availability of such positions.

Senior Deputy I

Promotion to Senior Deputy requires consistent, long-tenn demonstration of all of the general attorney qualities listed above and, in addition, the following:

demonstration of excellent legal skills, including written skills, oral skills, advocacy skills, and advising skills lead responsibility for significant litigation and advising matters lead responsibility on matters with management-level clients

Senior Deputy II

Promo lion to Senior Deputy II requires consistent, long-term demonstration of the following:

all qualities described above lead responsibility on matters with division-director clients lead responsibility for cross-sectional or other special projects

4/29/2008 Page 1 of 2

Page 2: KC DPD: KC PAO Promotion Standards

Senior Deputy III

Promotion to the Senior III position requires consistent, long-term demonstration of the following:

all qualities described above superior legal skills consistently independent work on litigation, transactions and/or policy development/legislation on more complex matters, assumes lead responsibility among other attorneys and staff lead responsibility on matters with department-director clients active management of increasingly substantial workload

Senior Deputy IV

Promotion to the Senior IV position requires consistent, long-term demonstration of the follmving:

all qualities described above • outstanding legal skills • first-chair responsibility for major matters (litigation, transactions and/or policy

development/legislation) comprehensive legal skills sufficient to provide full-service representation (i.e. the ability to complete any Civil Division assignment) consistently excellent client relations; primary contact for senior clients, including the Executive's Office and the Council active management of heavy workload

Senior Deputy V

Promotion to the Senior V position requires consistent, Jong-term demonstration of the following:

all qualities described above section chair or equivalent leadership responsibility

4/29/2008 Page2of2

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Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Criminal Division

Reports to: Chief Deputy, Criminal Division

Senior deputies are expected to provide high quality legal representation in a wide range of criminal proceedings including high profile, complex and even capital cases. Frequently, senior deputies will have significant supervisory responsibilities over individual deputies, groups of deputies or entire units. In addition, senior deputies have a substantial responsibility to devise and implement criminal justice policy in order that the King County Prosecutor's Office may operate effectively and achieve its mission to do justice in each and every case.

To accomplish these duties, seniors must possess exceptional communication and analytic skills. Moreover, collegiality with peers and subordinates is essential to performing the job of a senior.

In general terms, senior deputies, to be effective, must work in the office among other deputies. The hours necessary to do the job are variable, but normally extend beyond an ordinary 35 hour work week. Any deputy must be able to sit at a desk for a considerable period of time. Senior deputies must also be able to work in the field. That is, they are expected to be available to meet with witnesses, police and others in the criminal justice system, outside of the office, for a variety of purposes. Physical exertion, such as lifting files, is minimal and could easily be avoided in most circumstances.

Job Functions

1. Trial Team/M-DOP/Cold Case

Many Trial Team seniors carry a case load. As mentioned above, the type and volume of cases they handle are very taxing. It is not uncommon for Trial Team seniors to be in back-to-back murder trials (that is, they go immediately from one case into another). A smaller group of Trial Team seniors is responsible for day to day operations of the unit and supervision of non-senior deputies in the unit. These supervisors must review and assign all cases and oversee all aspects of the non-senior deputies' practice. Both of these jobs are demanding in tem1s of time, effort and professional judgment

2. Appellate Unit

Appellate Unit seniors handle all appeals to the Washington Court of Appeals, the Washington Supreme Court as well as Federal Courts. Each of these lawyers are highly trained and experienced in appellate advocacy and have substantial areas of expertise within the criminal law. Some supervise other lawyers in the unit and must be available

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to consult with criminal division trial lawyers and to brief and argue complex and high profile appeals.

3. Filing Unit

The head of the Filing Unit is a senior deputy who oversees the screening of almost all incoming cases. This senior supervises non-senior deputies assigned to both the Filing Unit and the Early Plea Project. The Early Plea deputies, some of whom are seniors, negotiate felony cases with defense lawyers and staff the critical case setting calendar. The volume of cases and pace of the filing unit requires senior deputies with great legal instincts and judgment.

4. Drug Unit

Two senior deputies supervise the filing and prosecution of all felony drug cases. These two seniors supervise many junior deputies. Many of these deputies are new to adult felonies and require substantial training and guidance. In addition, these seniors must deal with the more complex cases and issues that frequently arise. Thus, legal skills, particularly in the area of search and seizure law, as well as advocacy skills are at a premmm.

5. Special Assault Unit/Domestic Violence Section

Senior deputies serve in a variety of capacities within the Special Assault and Domestic Violence Units. The chair(s) oversee all aspects of the unit. The practice itself is very demanding as it, by definition, involves some of the most sensitive and complex cases in the office (i.e. domestic violence [DV], crimes against children as well as sexual assaults against children and adults). One senior supervises a filing or screening unit, another supervises a domestic violence section while the others handle high profile trials or other managerial of supervisory functions. Performance in SAU demands a high degree of specialized knowledge about prosecution of these cases and a substantial commitment in time.

6. Juvenile Court Unit

Senior deputies supervise junior deputies who handle all aspects of juvenile prosecution in King County. These seniors are involved, primarily, in supervision and administration. However, the volume of juvenile cases is such that these positions require enormous energy and resourcefulness in addition to a high degree of knowledge about juvenile justice.

7. District Cami Unit

Senior deputies supervise junior deputies who handle all misdemeanor prosecution unincorporated King County. With 50,000 cases being handled annually, the pace of this practice is very fast. Moreover, the training demands are great as virtually all of the

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deputies in this unit have no experience. In addition, the district comi practice is spread over 3 separate courts all over the county making coordination a great challenge.

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DANIEL T. SATTERBERG

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

King County

Office of the Prosecuting Attorney CRIMINAL DIVISION

W554 King County Courthouse 5 J 6 Third Avenue

Seattle, Washington 98104 (206) 296-9000

King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office - Criminal Division Promotion to Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney

Statement of Principle

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is, and has always been, committed to maintaining the highest caliber of attorneys. Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys who practice with particular distinction and commitment perfonn a critical service to the public and to the Office. Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys who have been Deputy Ss for a minimum of one year and who have achieved distinction in the office are eligible for promotion to Senior Deputy.

Candidates eligible for promotion to Senior Deputy shall demonstrate exemplary skills and reflect the highest qualities of legal and ethical practice expected of senior attorneys in this office. All senior attorneys in the KCPAO must meet the minimum requirements outlined below:

ETHICS: consistently demonstrates a focus on achieving a just result; demonstrates knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct and other applicable ethical standards; deals fairly and respectfully with opposing counsel and the court; sets an example to other deputies of ethical conduct.

LEGAL KNOWLEDGE: identifies legal issues in a timely manner; demonstrates sound legal and strategic judgment; demonstrates appropriate legal knowledge.

TRIAL SKILLS: demonstrates effective oral advocacy in the courtroom; has the ability to manage witnesses (locating them, preparing them and adducing testimony); implements creativity in advocacy (e.g. use of exhibits and technology, theme development); effectively meets defenses, and protects the record for appeal.

WRITING SKILLS: produces high quality written work including internal memoranda, charging documents, pretrial briefing, appellate briefing, and other pleadings.

WORK ETHIC: diligent during the work clay (stays late, comes in early, or completes work remotely as required by demands of the cuJTent assignment); responds promptly to cou11, counsel, and colleagues; promptly notifies others of absences or tardiness; offers assistance readily; demonstrates initiative.

WORKLOAD MANAGEMENT: manages workload effectively and efficiently; is meets deadlines; prepares for trial effectively and efficiently applicable); properly documents case progress; works independently but collaborates when appropriate.

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Prosecuting Attorney King County Page 2

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: demonstrates good listening skills and is able to communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues, supervisors, judges, defense attorneys, paralegals, staff, advocates, witnesses, and members of the community.

MENTORING/LEADERSHIP: actively mentors less experienced deputies; is perceived as a knowledgeable and accessible resource for other deputies; has participated in training presentations; has taken on leadership roles within the office in addition to normal job duties; has demonstrated initiative in finding ways to improve the overall practice of the office.

The ultimate goal of this procedure is to forward to the elected prosecutor, for final decision, the names of those individuals who best demonstrate the highest qualities of legal skills and professionalism. Promotions will occur at an interval determined by the Prosecutor.

THE PROCESS

1. In May, the Senior Promotions Committee (SPC) will confirm the membership on the committee. The SPC will consist of Mark Larson (ML), the assistant chiefs, all unit chairs, and three at-large members who will be nominated onto the committee for a two­year term. Nominations will occur in May, or earlier, when a tenn is at an end for an at­large member.

2. In May, the SPC will be provided a list of all junior deputies who will be eligible for promotion in that calendar year. A DPA is eligible for promotion after they have been a DPA 5 for a minimum of one year as of January l of the promotion year.

3. It is a goal of the SPC members to individually observe deputies in a courtroom setting at motions, trial, appellate argument, etc. The SPC will request that Unit Chairs e-mail Mark Larson, Dan Clark (DC), or Erin Ehlert (EE) with updates when they have attorneys appearing in court in their unit who are eligible for promotion. ML, DC, or EE will then send updates to the SPC so that SPC members can watch deputies in the courtroom both in Seattle and at the MRJC.

4. In 2011, the SPC created a database with a standard form that is completed for every deputy which summarizes their history of rotations as well as notable events in their career. Each year, the database will be updated and new summaries created for the deputies who are eligible for senior for the first time. IL is the goal of the SPC to maintain this database at :m exceptionally high level of thoroughness and accuracy for every DPA.

S The SPC will meet regularly starting in June to discuss the process and begin identifying the deputies who are in trial rotations, or in non-trial rotations but working on active trials, for purposes of observation. Deputies on the Appellate Unit will also be included for observation al oral argument.

6. In the first two weeks of November, the SPC will provide an opportunity for all members of the office to give feedback on the list of attorneys eligible for promotion. The final

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Prosecuting Attorney King County

Page 3

meeting of the SPC in Nov/Dec will be a time for selection of the list of deputies the SPC will be recommending for senior promotion to DTS.

7. It is the goal of the SPC and DTS to notify the Criminal Division of the new deputies who will be promoted to senior sometime during the first few weeks of December. DTS and ML will meet individually with the deputies that will be promoted prior to the general announcement of newly selected seniors. The division wide announcement of new seniors will occur on a Friday afternoon via e-mail after 12 noon.

8. In January, following the promotion process, ML will begin arranging meetings with all Deputy Ss who were not selected for senior to discuss the process in general terms and make suggestions for achieving promotion based on the feedback gathered during the promotion selection process.

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DAl\lJEL T. SATTERBERG

PROSECUTING ATTORi"\ffiY

December 8, 2011

MEMORANDUM

TO: DTS

FROM: ML, EE, DC

l'1 King County

SUBJECT: Senior Specialist Positions

Office of the Prosecuting Attorney CRIMINAL DIVISION

W554 King County Courthouse 5 J 6 Third A venue

Seattle, Washington 98 J 04 (206) 296-9000

During the promotions process in 2010, it was decided that we would promote two attorneys in the Criminal Division to the title of Senior Specialist. This term, and the parameters of this new position, remained undefined. No promises were made to the two recipients.

In the last year we have heard a lot of feedback about these positions. While many appreciated that these two attorneys deserved some recognition for their unique contributions to the office, the sticking point was their salaiy and the transferability of the Senior title should they leave their specialty. After much discussion, we propose the following clarifications to this title.

We propose that the Senior Specialist position be limited to those deputies who are practicing in a tmique capacity within the office, and who have distinguished themselves as an cxpc1i in their particular field. This expertise should be recognized by others outside the office, and establish this attorney as being preeminent in their field.

Fmihermore, deputies selected as Senior Specialist will retain their Senior title only insofar as they are performing duties in their area of expertise. If they chose to leave their specialty, or they are rotated out of their specialty area, they will return to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney V-07 and they will be eligible for the traditional Senior DPA promotion along with the other candidates.

Finally, these Senior Specialists will be paid as a Senior I-1 in their first year after promotion, and then as a Senior I-2 after that. 111ey will remain at that level (Senior I-2) unless or tmtil they receive a merit raise, which they \Vould be eligible for on an annual basis. If these Specialists choose to leave their area of expe1iise, or they are rotated out of their specialty area, they will retain this pay status and be held there until their non-senior pay scale catches up to their current In other words, they will not be financially penalized for leaving their area of expe1iise.

With these clarifications, the of Senior Specialist accomplishes the it was created (professional and financial recognition) without eroding the current model of attaining Senior Status tbrnugh more traditional methods.