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 |
$95,023.50 annually |
Positions Available |
| Anchorage Family Defense |
$95,023.50 - $142,506 annually
|
Positions Available |
| Bethel |
$142,545 - $213,759 annually |
Positions Available |
| Fairbanks |
$97,870.50 - $146,776.50 annually |
Positions Available |
| Juneau |
$99,781.50 - $149,623 annually |
Positions Available |
| Palmer |
$92,703 – $139,035 annually |
Positions Available |
Litigation Management Deputy - Anchorage Office (Attorney 6)
The Alaska Public Defender Agency is hiring an experienced attorney for a Deputy (Attorney 6) position. This attorney would supervise multiple offices across the state. This will involve supervising both criminal and civil practitioners. Because the position involves supervising multiple offices in different jurisdictions, travel will be required. The position is based in Anchorage.
This position requires strong supervisory, communication, and organizational skills. The deputy will work closely with local supervisors in overseeing and managing offices. The deputy will also work with the other members of Agency leadership to craft and implement Agency policy. This position will be supervised by the Agency director, Terrence Haas.
The salary will vary from $137,943 - $158,320.50 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. This posting will close on August 10, 2026.
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 areas the position supervises.
- · Positions in this job class are in the partially exempt service in accordance with AS 39.15.120(c)(3).
Supervising Attorney - Anchorage Office (Attorney 5)
The Alaska Public Defender Agency is hiring an experienced attorney to supervise a team of attorneys in our Anchorage office. The team would consist of 6-7 attorneys, all practicing primarily criminal law. There are four supervisors in the Anchorage office who share supervisory responsibility. The position is supervised by the criminal deputy, Ariel Toft. The salary will vary from $132,912 - $152,646 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 August 10, 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 areas the position supervises.
- · Positions in this job class are in the partially exempt service in accordance with AS 39.15.120(c)(3).
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