Assistant Attorney General - 2026 Honors Program

LMBA; Washington; On-site; USD 84,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness program

Mentoring program

Flexible schedules

Telecommuting options

Training and career development

Job summary

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General invites applications for the 2026 Honors Program. This program targets qualified third-year law students (class of 2027) and judicial clerks, offering permanent, entry-level attorney positions with anticipated start in August/September 2027.

Offered positions place candidates in divisions based on preferences and location, with substantial training, mentorship, and opportunities for immediate client representation and meaningful litigation work

Responsibilities

• Researching legal issues
• Consulting with clients and providing option-based advice as necessary
• Developing litigation strategies
• Identifying and preparing witnesses and exhibits
• Crafting necessary pleadings and briefs
• Litigating cases before administrative entities or various levels of state and federal court
• Working directly and collaboratively with professional staff to meet and support litigation needs
• Positively contributing to the supportive, inclusive, and collegial community that is the AGO

Job description

Assistant Attorney General - 2026 Honors Program

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is pleased to invite you to apply to our 2026 Honors Program. The Honors Program is a yearly opportunity for qualified third‑year law students (those graduating in the spring of 2027), as well as those that are judicial clerks of the appellate and federal courts, to apply for permanent, entry‑level attorney positions. Historically, this culminates in offers of an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) position to approximately 5 applicants. Those who receive offers are anticipated to start in August/September of 2027. Offers are contingent upon passing the July 2027 Washington State Bar examination or, for judicial clerks not yet members of the Washington State Bar Association, admission to the Washington State Bar by one’s start date.

Those who receive and accept an offer will be placed in a division that takes into consideration one’s preferences for division and office location assignment. Accordingly, one’s divisional and geographic preferences and flexibility is a critical factor in the AGO’s Honors application and interview process.

Regardless of one’s specific placement, the AGO offers the opportunity to hit the ground running with meaningful work, collegial colleagues, and a strong infrastructure to build a successful legal career in public service. New AAGs can expect to receive immediate responsibility for case or client representation in an environment with ample training, mentorship, and guidance.

Information about Honors candidates and their assignments from 2011 to 2025 can be found here .

Although every position is unique and may differ based on division placement, typical duties of AAGs can include:

• Researching legal issues;
• Consulting with clients and providing option-based advice as necessary;
• Developing litigation strategies;
• Identifying and preparing witnesses and exhibits;
• Crafting necessary pleadings and briefs;
• Litigating cases before administrative entities or various levels of state and federal court;
• Working directly and collaboratively with professional staff to meet and support litigation needs; and
• Positively contributing to the supportive, inclusive, and collegial community that is the AGO.

* * * * * * * * * *

About the AGO

In furtherance of its mission to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to officials, agencies, and the people of the state of Washington, the AGO covers a diverse legal landscape, including but not limited to protecting children, vulnerable adults, and injured workers; consumer protection; civil and administrative litigation; environmental law; torts; tribal law; labor law; appellate practice; and criminal prosecution. The majority of AAGs provide litigation and client advice in support of assigned clients, the full scope of which includes more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges, and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The AGO has over 800 attorneys working in 30+ legal divisions in the following locations: Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Everett, Bellingham, Vancouver, Yakima, Kennewick, Wenatchee, Port Angeles, and Pullman.

The Office appreciates the benefits of a healthy life–work balance as well as a respectful, inclusive, and diverse workplace. Successful candidates will join an office in which every person is committed to providing exceptional legal services, and where individual professional development is encouraged and supported. The exceptional benefits of joining the AGO include:

• A competitive benefit package that includes affordable medical plan options, dental benefits, and retirement plans;
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave, and Paid Holidays;
• A transparent salary schedule— AAG salaries are set between $83,856 and $157,080. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA ;
• Payment by the AGO of the general bar dues for someone hired through the Honors program per Article 10.8 of the AWAAG CBA ;
• Flex schedules and telecommuting options;
• A formal AAG mentoring program that complements the AGO’s inherently collegial and supportive environment;
• A health and wellness program; and
• A training and career development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by Attorney General offices nationwide.

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov .

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO. The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at [e-mail]. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.