The Defender Association has 92 attorneys representing more than 14,000 clients per year in felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, family advocacy, and civil commitment cases, as well as a number of appeals at all levels of the state courts.

The Defender is a non-profit corporation founded with Model Cities funding in 1969 and has an independent Board of Directors.

The Defender Association received in 1999 a $146,000 grant from the Justice Department to establish a Racial Disparity Project. The Project has represented clients, conducted continuing legal education training, raised the level of discussion concerning racial disparity and race bias, and developed a partnership with the King County Prosecutor and the District Court to divert cases involving driving with a suspended license. The Project staff also have participated in many discussions with community based organizations, courts and prosecutors, and local law enforcement authorities, and have participated in discussions with local and state legislators on a variety of issues related to the justice system.