Since 1983, we have been committed to improving the quality of the criminal defense bar in Washington and in working for improved funding for public defense.

WDA provides over 700 members with access to the most recent developments in criminal law through training seminars, publications, and its resource assistance.

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 Association received in 1999 a $146,000 grant from the Justice Department to establish a Racial Disparity Project