Summary

Executive Constantine reappointed Anita Khandelwal to be director of the Department of Public Defense. DPD ensures legal representation is available for all people facing a loss of liberty who cannot afford an attorney and works with partners across the community to address racial disproportionality in the criminal legal system.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the reappointment of Anita Khandelwal to continue serving as director of Department of Public Defense, a critical position to ensure equity and justice in the criminal legal system. The department provides legal defense to any person charged with a crime or facing a loss of liberty who cannot afford an attorney, representing more than 15,000 individuals last year.

"Public Defenders handle some of the most challenging work in the legal system, and Anita’s leadership and guidance saw the department through the difficulties of the pandemic. Her stewardship and commitment to equity and racial justice make her the right person to continue leading public legal defense in King County," said Executive Constantine.

"It is a great privilege to work with the committed employees at DPD and to join them in fighting every day on behalf of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. It is also a privilege to work with partners in the community who are striving to change a criminal legal system that is profoundly racially disproportionate. I’m grateful the Executive has asked me to serve another term," Director Khandelwal said.

Khandelwal has served her first four-year term as director since 2018 and previously served as interim director. She worked as a line public defender at one of the four nonprofit agencies that provided public defense services for several years before returning to the newly created department in 2015. All told, she has practiced law for more than a decade.

Under her leadership, the department served more than 15,000 individuals on 19,000 assignments in 2021. Currently the department employs around 400 people, including attorneys, investigators, social workers, paralegals, and legal administrative specialists.

"Anita has the gift of a brilliant legal mind combined with a compassionate connection to the community most often impacted by the criminal legal system," said Sean Goode, Executive Director of Choose 180. "Her stewardship has fostered the type of relationships with non-profit organizations that has led to both local and statewide policy changes that have advanced our effort to combat the public health crisis of racism in King County. We need more leaders like Anita who can simultaneously stand in the reality of today while dreaming and pursuing the hope for our tomorrow."

"Anita Khandelwal has deftly shepherded the Department of Public Defense through a pandemic and a racial justice uprising, distinguishing herself as a respected leader during some very challenging times," said Angélica Cházaro, an assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Law. "Even as she does her utmost to ensure every client receives excellent legal services, she works hand-in-hand with community partners to confront head-on the harms of the criminal legal system. King County’s most marginalized populations have a strong advocate in Anita, and we will all benefit from her vision and leadership in the coming years."

Khandelwal’s reappointment will now be considered by the King County Council for confirmation.

Relevant links

• King County Department of Public Defense

Quotes

Public Defenders handle some of the most challenging work in the legal system, and Anita’s leadership and guidance saw the department through the difficulties of the pandemic. Her stewardship and commitment to equity and racial justice make her the right person to continue leading public legal defense in King County.

It is a great privilege to work with the committed employees at DPD and to join them in fighting every day on behalf of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. It is also a privilege to work with partners in the community who are striving to change a criminal legal system that is profoundly racially disproportionate. I’m grateful the Executive has asked me to serve another term.

Anita has the gift of a brilliant legal mind combined with a compassionate connection to the community most often impacted by the criminal legal system. Her stewardship has fostered the type of relationships with non-profit organizations that has led to both local and statewide policy changes that have advanced our effort to combat the public health crisis of racism in King County. We need more leaders like Anita who can simultaneously stand in the reality of today while dreaming and pursuing the hope for our tomorrow.

"Anita Khandelwal has deftly shepherded the Department of Public Defense through a pandemic and a racial justice uprising, distinguishing herself as a respected leader during some very challenging times. Even as she does her utmost to ensure every client receives excellent legal services, she works hand-in-hand with community partners to confront head-on the harms of the criminal legal system. King County’s most marginalized populations have a strong advocate in Anita, and we will all benefit from her vision and leadership in the coming years.

For more information, contact:

Chase Gallagher, Executive Office, 206-263-8537