Conflict Public Defender Services

Napa County is requesting statements of qualification from attorneys and law firms to serve as conflict public defenders, with SOQs due November 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. The County is filling one or more positions on its five-member CPD panel to provide criminal legal defense services to indigent defendants when the Public Defender declares a conflict of interest, is unavailable, or is ordered to recuse. The County applies local-vendor preference to qualified applicants with billing addresses within Napa County.

Applicants must be active members in good standing of the State Bar of California with at least eight years of criminal law litigation experience and must not have been subject to bar disciplinary actions resulting in license suspension or revocation. All attorneys serving as lead CPD counsel must demonstrate substantial trial experience with serious felony cases, expertise with expert witnesses and forensic evidence, complex litigation and negotiation skills, legal research and writing proficiency, and demonstrated oral advocacy and trial advocacy skills. An office in Napa City or reasonably close to the Napa County courthouse is required. Lead counsel must comply with the County's Professional Services Agreement, maintain professional liability insurance of at least $1 million, general liability of $1 million, and automobile liability of $1 million, and demonstrate accessibility compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The scope includes criminal defense representation at all stages of proceedings, appellate advocacy, representation in probation violation matters, juvenile cases, family law matters including paternity and civil contempt, and witness representation. Cases are assigned rotationally among panel members and classified into eight complexity levels from capital murder (Class 1) to misdemeanor (Class 8), with an anticipated maximum of 180 new cases annually per attorney.

The contract commences January 1, 2027 through June 30, 2027, with automatic annual renewals thereafter unless either party provides 60 days' written notice. Base monthly compensation is $19,857.07 for Fiscal Year 2026-27, subject to annual adjustment on July 1 based on the Napa County Public Defender's Office Attorney IV, step 5 salary, with a 3% increase if a new SEIU Local 1021 agreement has not been adopted. Additional compensation reaches up to $3,500 per month for Class 1 cases (capped at $42,000 per 18-month period, or $63,000 with County approval) and up to $2,500 per month for Class 2 cases (capped at $30,000 per 18-month period, or $45,000 with approval). The County reimburses essential third-party expenses including investigators, experts, and court reporters subject to court approval or a $3,000 per provider cap per case. Questions are due October 26, 2026. Interviews with the top three ranked respondents are scheduled for November 13, 2026.