Trial Attorney (Attorney 1-4)
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).
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.
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.
To apply, 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.
| Location |
Salary |
Recruiting |
| Bethel |
$139,054 - $208,552 annually |
Positions Available |
| Dillingham |
$127,003 - $190,476 annually |
Positions Available |
| Kenai |
$92,703 – $139,035 annually |
Positions Available |
| Nome |
$127,003 - $190,476 annually |
Positions Available |
Supervising Attorney - Ketchikan Office (Attorney 5)
The Alaska Public Defender Agency is hiring an experienced attorney to supervise a unit of 2 attorneys based in Ketchikan. This position may also remotely supervise our sole attorney in our Sitka office. The position is the sole supervisor position in the Ketchikan Office overseeing our attorneys there, who do a mixture of adult criminal, juvenile criminal, family defense, and civil commitment cases. This position would require carrying a caseload of U/sex felonies. The position is supervised by the Criminal Deputy, Ariel Toft.
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by email to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov. Applications must be submitted by September 26, 2025.
Minimum Qualifications
- Admission to the Alaska Bar
- At least five years of experience practicing law
- Substantial experience with the practice area the position supervises
Supervising Attorney - Bethel Office (Attorney 5)
The Alaska Public Defender Agency is hiring an experienced attorney to supervise a unit of 5 attorneys based in Bethel. The position is the sole supervisor position in the Bethel Office overseeing our criminal practitioners. The office has two civil practitioners as well, but they are supervised by our Civil Section. This position would require carrying a caseload of U/sex felonies. The position is supervised by the Criminal Deputy, Ariel Toft. The salary will vary from $194, 512.50 - $223, 392.00 annually. Benefits for permanent attorneys include paid leave, health insurance, two mandatory matching retirement accounts, and one optional deferred compensation retirement account.
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by email to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov. Applications must be submitted by September 19, 2025.
Minimum Qualifications
- Admission to the Alaska Bar
- At least five years of experience practicing law
- Substantial experience with the practice area the position supervises
Post Conviction Relief Supervising Attorney (Attorney 5)
The Alaska Public Defender Agency is hiring a supervising attorney for its postconviction relief section, which includes a supervisor, two lawyers, and a paralegal. The section represents indigent Alaskans in postconviction relief proceedings in trial courts across Alaska, and lawyers in the section are responsible for drafting amended applications for postconviction relief, engaging in motion work and discovery, and conducting evidentiary hearings as required.
Candidates should have the ability to efficiently review and distill large case records, evaluate the representation provided by defense lawyers in all case types, work well with expert witnesses and indigent clients, and routinely prepare high quality and persuasive pleadings on deadline. Travel across the state for client meetings and court hearings may be required. It is preferred, but not required, that candidates have supervisory experience, significant legal writing experience, and experience with civil discovery.
Applicants must be admitted to the Alaska bar, be willing to sit for the next bar examination, or be eligible for bar admission by reciprocity. The starting salary is between $129,675 and $148,921.50 and is dependent on experience and the office in which the supervising attorney is stationed. The position includes full state benefits.
If interested, please submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and a legal writing sample of the applicant’s own work by email to pdarecruitment@alaska.gov. The writing sample must be between 10 and 25 pages and not have significant revisions by others. Review of applications will begin October 27, 2025.
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.