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King County public defender Anita Khandelwal resigns abruptly
She reportedly resigned due to exhaustion after leading DPD through challenging times. Matt Sanders is the new interim director.
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Anita Khandelwal. / Image - KingCounty.gov
King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) director Anita Khandelwal, has announced her decision to step down from the role, Seattle-based media outlet PubliCola reported.
According to the report, In a brief email to staff, Khandelwal expressed pride in her contributions to building a compassionate community within the department but did not elaborate on her reasons for leaving or future plans.
Khandelwal, who has led DPD since 2018, has been a strong advocate against punitive policies affecting vulnerable populations. Her resignation reportedly comes after exhaustion from leading the department through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her tenure was marked by internal disputes, notably her withdrawal from discussions about a controversial jail contract with the South Correctional Entity, which some staff felt was crucial.
With Khandelwal’s departure, DPD Deputy Director Gordon Hill will revert to his previous role as a supervising attorney at the Associated Counsel for the Accused (ACA). Matt Sanders, a long-time managing attorney at DPD, will serve as interim director, taking over Hill’s former responsibilities without appointing a deputy, the report said
Khandelwal’s exit coincides with DPD’s push for county funds to hire additional attorneys and staff to address unsustainable caseloads. The Washington State Supreme Court will review proposed new caseload standards next week, which aim to better reflect the time attorneys spend on cases. King County Executive, Dow Constantine, has expressed concerns about the feasibility of these standards due to funding and staffing challenges.
The process to appoint Khandelwal’s permanent replacement is expected to take several months.
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