Law Clerk Internship/Externship for Academic Year

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Health and wellness program

Job summary

Washington State Attorney General’s Office is seeking law clerks to gain exceptional legal experience in a professional law office. Positions emphasize public service, mentorship, and exposure to diverse, meaningful legal work.

Typical duties include researching and writing memoranda and pleadings, assisting in litigation preparation, drafting client memos, and observing court proceedings with potential to present in court for Rule 9 clerks.

Qualifications

• Completed at least one year of law school at an ABA accredited law school.
• Must be enrolled in law school during the duration of the service.
• Applicants should demonstrate commitment to public service and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Researching and writing memoranda, pleadings, and correspondence.
• Assistance in preparation for litigation, e.g., depositions, witness interviews, and discovery.
• Drafting client advice memos and presenting advice to the client.
• Observe attorneys in court, with possible opportunity to present in court.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Public service

Education

ABA accredited law school

Job description

About the Washington State Attorney General’s Office

All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office serve a crucial role in the protection of the state, its people and resources, thereby providing an incomparable degree of job satisfaction. The AGO is composed of diverse, collegial and supremely talented legal professionals who are resolute in their commitment to public service and share the common goal of advancing the public interest. For more information about the AGO, we encourage you to review the Office’s Annual Report which can be found HERE.

Benefits of Joining the AGO as a Law Clerk

• Exceptional legal experience working in a professional law office
• Demonstration of one’s interest in and commitment to public service
• Engagement with experienced, professional colleagues and legal mentors
• Expansive breadth and diversity of work
• Opportunity to attend a wide array of effective, interesting legal trainings (e.g., CLEs) and events
• Work that makes a tangible and positive difference to the people of Washington

Additional Benefits and Compensation

• Competitive salary – If your law school allows being paid while receiving academic credit - Law clerks who have completed their first year of law school will receive $23/hour. Law clerks who have completed their second year of law school will receive $24/hour
• Law clerk positions assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid Holidays
• Health and wellness program
• Access to attend training and career development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide
• Enrollment in the Public Employees’ Retirement System, receiving one service credit per each month worked of 90 hours or more.
• Due to the limited duration of these positions (if less than six months), they are not eligible for medical and dental benefits.

Typical Duties of an AGO Law Clerk

• Researching and writing memoranda, pleadings, and correspondence;
• Assistant in preparation for litigation, i.e., depositions, witness interviews, and discovery;
• Drafting client advice memos and attending meetings where that advice is then presented to the client; and
• Opportunity to observe attorneys in court, particularly for those cases for which the law clerk provided assistance. Rule 9 law clerks may be allowed to present in court.

Eligibility, Requirements, and Qualifications

To be considered for a law clerk internship or externship opportunity, you must have completed at least one year of law school at an ABA accredited law school and must be enrolled in said law school during the duration of your service. In addition, the AGO seeks applicants who are committed to public service as demonstrated by an applicant’s background, talents, attitude, and enthusiasm for public law practice. We also seek applicants with a diverse background in education, previous work experience, law school activities, extracurricular activities, community service and areas of interest that enhance our respectful, diverse and professional office. Applicants must also be able to work in WA State for the duration of the clerkship.

Note that this program is not for summer clerkships. Those seeking a summer externship must apply via the formal fall/spring recruitment program.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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.

Background Checks and Pre-Employment Screening

Some positions require that employees and volunteers submit to and pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check conducted by the Washington State Patrol, Criminal Records Division. In accordance with WAC 162-12-140, the AGO will conduct permissible pre-employment inquiries of preferred candidates, to include the completion of a criminal conviction screening questionnaire.