Application Guide

How to Apply for Executive Director

at Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

🏢 About Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

The Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL) is unique as Washington's premier organization dedicated exclusively to supporting criminal defense attorneys through advocacy, professional development, and member services. Working here offers the opportunity to directly impact due process rights and support legal professionals who defend constitutional protections in Washington's criminal justice system.

About This Role

As Executive Director, you'll lead all operational aspects of WACDL while serving as the primary support for the Board and Committees. This role is impactful because you'll shape advocacy positions on criminal justice legislation, secure funding through sponsorships and auctions, and directly enhance professional development for defense attorneys across Washington through CLE programs and major events.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might begin with reviewing legislative updates affecting Washington's criminal defense bar, followed by coordinating with committee chairs via Zoom to advance policy positions. The afternoon could involve negotiating vendor contracts for the Annual Conference while managing donor outreach for the Holiday Auction, all while overseeing digital communications through the member newsletter and website updates.

🚀 Application Tools

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🎯 Who Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Is Looking For

  • A professional with 3+ years of nonprofit management experience who can demonstrate successful board governance support and fiscal oversight
  • Someone with proven event planning expertise, particularly in managing legal conferences and fundraising auctions with contract negotiation experience
  • An individual deeply committed to criminal defense principles who can articulate how their values align with WACDL's mission
  • A tech-savvy manager comfortable with AMS databases, Zoom for virtual meetings, and Asana for project coordination with remote teams

📝 Tips for Applying to Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

1

Highlight specific experience with criminal justice organizations or legal associations in your resume, even if volunteer-based

2

Quantify your event management successes (e.g., 'managed 500-attendee conference with $50K budget' or 'increased auction revenue by 25%')

3

Demonstrate your Washington state knowledge by mentioning familiarity with local criminal justice issues or legislative developments

4

Show remote work proficiency by describing experience managing distributed teams or virtual events

5

Include examples of drafting policy documents or position papers, particularly related to legal or legislative matters

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your personal commitment to criminal defense and due process principles, with specific examples of how this has guided your professional choices', 'Concrete examples of successful nonprofit management, particularly board governance support and fiscal oversight', 'Specific event planning achievements relevant to legal conferences and fundraising auctions', 'Experience with legislative monitoring or policy drafting, even if in different fields, showing transferable skills']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review WACDL's recent advocacy positions and legislative priorities on their website
  • → Study the Washington criminal justice landscape, including recent legislative changes affecting defense attorneys
  • → Research the organization's Annual Conference and Holiday Auction to understand their scale and history
  • → Look into WACDL's current leadership structure and committee compositions
Visit Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach securing corporate sponsorships from law firms and legal service providers in Washington?
2 Describe your experience drafting position papers on legal issues and how you'd collaborate with the Legislative Committee
3 What strategies would you use to increase member engagement in a remote environment?
4 How have you managed conflicting priorities between board members or committees in previous roles?
5 What experience do you have with AMS databases and how would you leverage technology to improve member services?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to demonstrate specific knowledge of or commitment to criminal defense principles
  • Presenting generic nonprofit experience without tailoring it to legal association management
  • Not addressing the remote nature of the position and how you'd manage Washington-wide responsibilities virtually

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers!

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