Rachel Forde

Rachel Forde joined SCPDA in 2006.  Rachel earned her B.A. at DePauw University and her J.D. at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. During law school, Rachel worked as a law clerk at both Indiana Legal Services and Bet Tzedek Legal Services.

Rachel received the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers President’s Award in 2023 given to recognize distinguished service to the highest traditions of the criminal defense bar. In 2007, she received Washington Defender Association President’s Award for outstanding work in the legal representation of the indigent.  Currently she is on the WACDL Board of Governors and the WACDL CLE Committee where she organizes state-wide educational programs for criminal defense attorneys. She has served on the WDA Board of Directors, the WSBA Legislative Committee, and the WACDL CLE Committee, as well as the Washington State Legislature Eyewitness Evidence and Informant Reliability Work Groups.

Rachel has presented at statewide programs on jury selection, cross examination of experts, litigating domestic violence no contact orders, and media strategy in high profile cases.  In addition to representing people accused of serious violent and sex offenses in Snohomish County and across the state, Rachel is on the panel of conflict attorneys for the U.S. District Court of Western Washington.

“I became a public defender to stand up for people against injustice.”