Lead Prosecuting Attorney

City of SeaTac; SeaTac (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

City of SeaTac is seeking a Lead Prosecuting Attorney to serve as the City’s primary prosecutor for misdemeanor and gross-misdemeanor criminal cases and select civil matters, including code compliance. This role represents the City in arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, and appeals, while supervising the Criminal Division and guiding staff with professionalism and integrity.

The ideal candidate will have strong courtroom skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a complex caseload

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active admission to the Washington State Bar Association.
• Minimum seven years of criminal legal experience.
• At least three years of prosecution experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Lead Prosecuting Attorney in misdemeanor and gross-misdemeanor cases and select civil matters.
• Supervise the Criminal Division and manage staff and caseloads.
• Represent the City in arraignments, hearings, trials, appeals, and related proceedings.
• Coordinate with police, court staff, and other city departments.
• Provide legal research, opinions, and drafting of ordinances and resolutions.

Skills

Case preparation

Litigation techniques

Negotiation

Oral communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Legal research

Courtroom advocacy

Education

Juris Doctor

Admission to Washington State Bar

Job description

Under the direction of the City Attorney, the Lead Prosecuting Attorney serves as the City’s primary prosecutor for misdemeanor and gross-misdemeanor criminal cases and select civil matters, including code compliance. This role represents the City in arraignments, pre-trial hearings, motions, jury and bench trials, appeals, probation violations, and related proceedings.

The position supervises and manages the Criminal Division, providing leadership, direction, and support to staff and ensuring high standards of professionalism, fairness, and accountability. This role requires sound judgment, excellent courtroom skills, the ability to manage a complex caseload, and the capacity to navigate a fast-paced environment with resilience and clarity.

In alignment with the City’s broader organizational values, the Lead Prosecuting Attorney is expected to promote trust, communicate effectively, demonstrate courage and integrity in decision-making, and foster a collaborative, respectful work culture.

1. Serve as Lead Prosecuting Attorney in criminal misdemeanor cases filed by the City; represent the City in jury and bench trials, arraignments, pre-trials, motions, sentencing, probation violations, and other misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor hearings and cases and probable cause; investigate and charge criminal cases; prepare documents including complaints, memorandums, and jury instructions; make plea offers and negotiate in various cases. E
2. Manage and organize case information and analyze pertinent case facts and evidence; research legal precedent and develop arguments as appropriate; perform a variety of case preparation duties such as brief writing, negotiating, and interviewing witnesses; litigate cases from filing through conviction and appeal. E
3. Supervise and delegate/assign work to Prosecuting Attorney and support staff in the criminal division in accordance with the City’s policies, procedures, labor contracts, applicable laws, and its vision, mission, and values. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, participating in the hiring decisions, discipline, and formally evaluating performance. E
4. Communicate with witnesses, police, other attorneys, and defendants as needed; communicate and coordinate with court administrative personnel, City departments, Public Defenders, and other personnel in matters related to criminal cases. E
5. Perform legal research and prepare opinions related to various legal issues; prepare and draft ordinances and resolutions, contracts and other legal documents and instruments. E
6. Communicate and coordinate with City departments including police, code compliance, and court staff, regarding procedure, the legality of documents and instruments, and the prosecution of criminal cases. E
7. Assist the Prosecuting Attorney and support staff with professional development. Serve as mentor, coach, trainer, and daily educator. E
8. Perform related duties as assigned.

E denotes an essential function of the job

APPLICATION REQUIREMENT

A cover letter and resume are required with your application. Applications missing either document will not be considered.

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• A minimum of seven (7) years criminal legal experience.
• At least three (3) years prosecution experience required.
• A combination of education, training and experience that provides the candidate with the knowledge skills and abilities to perform the job will be considered.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

City and State laws related to the prosecution of court cases.

• Municipal government organizational structure, operations, policies, objectives and jurisdiction.
• Legal research methodology.
• City organizations, operations, policies, and objectives.
• Supervisory principles and practices.
• Principles, practices, and procedures of civil and criminal law including court procedures and rules and case decisions.

SKILL IN:

• Case preparation and litigation techniques.
• Negotiation and trial techniques.
• Oral and written communication.
• Interpersonal skills exercising tact, diplomacy, patience, and courtesy.
• Methods, principles and practices of effective conflict resolution.
• Interpreting and explaining codes, rules, and regulations.

ABILITY TO:

• Prepare and deliver oral presentations and arguments.
• Supervise, train, assign, and review the work of direct reports.
• Research, draft, and author briefs, opinions, and ordinances.
• Analyze, evaluate, organize and prepare case information.
• Organize and analyze case facts and legal precedents.
• Establish guidelines, and best practices for prosecuting criminal cases.
• Maintain confidentiality and operate with discretion as appropriate.
• Provide assistance on civil matters.

• Admission to the Washington State Bar Association.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and satisfactory three-year driving abstract prior to hire.