Welcome to WDA

About WDA

WDA is a non-profit professional membership organization for Washington State public defender attorneys, social workers and investigators committed to providing resources and support to indigent defenders.

You must have a PASSWORD to view sections reserved for members or Washington State indigent defenders.

Let us know what you think of our site.  If there is something that you think should be added or needs improvement, send your ideas to wda@defensenet.org.

Join our Facebook group, titled Washington Defender Association.  Go to Facebook's homepage to create an account.

Join WDA

WDA membership is open to anyone involved in the field of criminal or public defense, including attorneys, investigators and social workers.  Find out about Membership Benefits and fill out this Membership Form to join.

Get Involved

WDA is always seeking help from persons who are interested in improving the quality of indigent defense.  Volunteer opportunities include program planning, involvement in the technical assistance and working on pending legislation.

Training and Education: In Person and Web Based CLEs 

WDA is the premier source of Continuing Legal Education for Washington State indigent defenders.  WDA offers and co-sponsors multiple in-person CLEs throughout the year, including our annual conference.  WDA also offers web based programs which which you may participate in from your office.  These programs are free for members. To watch past CLEs for A/V credit, click here.

Case Assistance

WDA staff attorneys provide research and assistance on felony and misdemeanor cases.  Case assistance is a free resource for all Washington attorneys on their indigent cases.  Find out more about the Technical Assistance Program and how the resource attorneys can help you with your cases.

WDA's Immigration Project offers case assistance for attorneys representing non-citizen clients.  Find out more about the Washington Defender Association Immigration Project and how it can help you with your representation of non-citizen clients.

Children's Representation Project

The Children's Representation Project provides a focal point for expanding children's representation statewide through the identification of attorneys currently practicing in the area of children's representation and the recruitment of new attorneys who are interested  and able to represent children in dependency proceedings.

Legislation

WDA provides a voice for the indigent and their defenders in the state legislature.  Working with other organizations and offices committed to protecting indigent rights, WDA advocates and sponsors legislation that is pending before the state legislature.

Listservs

WDA maintains multiple listservs that relate directly to practice areas the relate to public defense.  These listservs provide a community to explore legal issues and are monitored by WDA staff, who are then able to provide direct assistance.  Listserv Information is available here.  Fill out the Listserv Signup form to sign up.

Contact WDA

Follow this link for a complete Staff Directory.

Washington Defender Association
110 Prefontaine Pl. S., Suite 610
Seattle, Washington 98104
Phone: (206) 623-4321; Toll Free (877) 925-6012; Fax (206) 623-5420

Email: wda@defensenet.org