Trial Attorney (Attorney 1-4)
The Alaska Public Defender Agency hires new and experienced attorneys to handle criminal, juvenile, family defense (Child in Need of Aid), commitment, appellate, and post-conviction relief cases. The Agency has thirteen offices statewide, located in Anchorage, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer, Sitka, and Utqiagvik. Salaries vary based on years of experience and by location based on cost-of-living adjustments.
Attorneys for the Alaska Public Defender Agency provide court-appointed legal representation to indigent clients. Our attorneys enjoy the mentorship and community of a statewide defense agency, training opportunities, and competitive benefits and salaries. 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 being admitted to the Alaska Bar Association.
Applicants for all positions should possess strong writing and analytical skills, be able to work independently, and possess strong oral advocacy skills, Applicants must also be committed to client-centered practice. Travel to remote Alaskan communities is necessary. Applicants must be admitted to the Alaska Bar Association, be willing to sit for the next Bar exam, or be eligible for admission by reciprocity. Prior legal experience preferred.
To apply, 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 |
| Anchorage Municipal |
$92,703 |
Positions Available |
| Bethel |
$139,054 - $208,552 annually |
Positions Available |
| Fairbanks |
$95,941 - $105,924 annually |
Positions Available |
| Palmer |
$92,703 – $139,035 annually |
Positions Available |
Mental Health Attorney - Anchorage Office (Attorney 1-4)
The Alaska Public Defender Agency provides constitutionally mandated legal representation to indigent individuals who are subject to involuntary psychiatric treatment. The Agency is currently hiring an attorney to provide direct representation to clients facing involuntary commitment in Anchorage. The attorney will engage in a robust civil trial practice, including both bench trials and jury trials, as part of a close-knit team. The attorney will also assist with or directly handle criminal and family defense cases where an understanding of mental health issues is integral to effective representation of the client.
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: $92,703.00 - $139.035.00 annually.
To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by email to PDARecruitment@alaska.gov.
Minimum Qualifications
Positions in this job class are in the partially exempt service in accordance with AS 39.15.120(c)(3). The following minimum qualifications are recommended:
- Graduation from an approved school of law.
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 caseload consists of homicide, sexual assault, and sexual abuse of a minor cases. 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.
Minimum Qualifications
- Admission to the Alaska Bar (applicants may work in Alaska for up to 10 months under a practice permit but must be admitted to the Alaska Bar by the end of those 10 months)
- At least five years of experience practicing law
- Substantial experience with the practice area the position supervises
Supervising Attorney - Fairbanks Office (Attorney 5)
The Alaska Public Defender Agency is hiring an experienced attorney to supervise our Fairbanks office. The office has 15 attorneys and also supervises the sole attorney in Utqiagvik. Three of those attorneys are civil practitioners and are supervised by our Civil Section. There are two supervisors in the Fairbanks office who share supervisory responsibility. This position would require carrying a caseload of U/sex felonies, consisting of homicide, sexual assault, and sexual abuse of a minor cases. The position is supervised by the criminal deputy, Ariel Toft. The salary will vary from $133,575 - $153,387 annually. Benefits will 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 will be considered on a rolling basis, but all applications received before June 19, 2026 will be given full consideration.
Minimum qualifications:
- Admission to the Alaska Bar (applicants may work in Alaska for up to 10 months under a practice permit but must be admitted to the Alaska Bar by the end of those 10 months).
- At leave five years of experience practicing law.
- Substantial experience with the practice area the position supervises.
- Positions in this job class are in the partially exempt service in accordance with AS 39.15.120(c)(3).
Post Conviction Relief Attorney
The Alaska Public Defender Agency is hiring a lawyer for its postconviction relief section, which represents indigent Alaskans in postconviction relief proceedings in trial courts across Alaska. 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. The lawyer will expand the section’s existing staff, which consists of a supervising lawyer, two staff lawyers, and a paralegal.
Candidates should have the ability to efficiently review and distill large case records, evaluate the representation provided by defense lawyers, work well with expert witnesses and indigent clients, and routinely prepare high quality and persuasive pleadings on deadline, and they should have an interest in innovative and creative approaches to legal analysis and advocacy. Travel across the state for client meetings and court hearings may be required.
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 $92,703 – 139,035 and is dependent on experience and the office in which the 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. Applications will be considering on a rolling basis, but all applications received before May 29, 2026, will be given full consideration.