How to bid on Guardianship Public Defender services for Franklin County Superior Court

What Franklin County is buying and why it matters

Franklin County's Office of Public Defense is seeking contract attorneys to represent parents, minors, and adults in guardianship cases under RCW 11.130. This is an opportunity for legal professionals to provide essential public defense services.

Successful applicants will receive a contract for a minimum of one year. Appointments will be made on a rotating basis, and compensation is set at $2,000 per case, with the possibility of petitioning for additional funds if needed.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This opportunity was published on December 04, 2024. The county lists this as "Open Until Contracted," meaning there is no fixed deadline. The closing date of October 03, 2026, at 10:28 PM ET is provisional. You should confirm the current status on the source posting before preparing your response.

Applications will be accepted until contracts are awarded. Once you submit your application, it will be reviewed by the Franklin County Office of Public Defense.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for attorneys with experience in family law, dependency, guardianship, or similar areas. Firms or individual practitioners specializing in indigent representation and with experience in trials, court hearings, discovery, and motions will find this relevant.

Applicants must be licensed by the Washington State Bar Association and be able to provide proof of at least $1 million in professional liability insurance, or be willing to obtain it.

How to respond to this solicitation

To access the full posting and documents, click the "View original source" link. This will open the bid's detail page on the Franklin County website, where no sign-in is needed to view the information.

Your application should include a current resume, a cover letter specifying the list(s) you are applying for and detailing relevant experience, letters of reference from professional contacts within the last three years, a copy of your Washington State Bar Association card, proof of professional liability insurance or willingness to obtain it, and disclosures of any past or potential disciplinary proceedings with the WSBA.

Electronic submission is strongly encouraged. Email your application with "RFQ Response-Guardianship" in the subject line. You may also mail your application to the Office of Public Defense at 1016 N. 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301.

Tips for a competitive response

Carefully review the required experience in your cover letter. Specifically address your experience in family law, dependency, guardianship, trials, court hearings, discovery, motions, and indigent representation. If applying to represent minors, highlight that experience.

Ensure your resume is current and clearly outlines your professional knowledge, skills, years of experience, training, and professional affiliations. Provide strong, recent letters of reference that speak to your legal expertise. Double-check that all contact information for your references is accurate.

Confirm you meet the insurance requirements or state your willingness to obtain the necessary professional liability insurance. Be transparent about any disciplinary disclosures as requested. Submitting your application electronically with the correct subject line can help ensure it is processed efficiently.