Licensed Legal Intern

Pierce County; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County’s Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) seeks Licensed Legal Interns to gain courtroom experience under supervision of experienced attorneys. You will review files, meet clients, and appear in court, focusing on arraignments and post-conviction hearings while assisting with motions, pre-trials, and trial prep.

Open to second-year law students; applicants must be enrolled in an ABA-accredited JD program and able to obtain Rule 9 license before starting.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in and in good academic standing in a J.D. program at an ABA-accredited law school.
• Must be able to obtain a Rule 9 license from the Washington State Bar prior to commencement of internship.
• Must pass background check for jail access.

Responsibilities

• Assist in legal representation of clients at in-custody arraignments, pretrial hearings, and post-conviction review or violation hearings.
• Case review for legal issues; legal research, writing, and oral argument.
• Trial preparation, investigation, and presentation.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Research & writing

Courtroom experience

Legal advocacy

Education

J.D. program at ABA-accredited law school

Graduate of ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Description

Applicants who are in their second year of law school are encouraged to apply.

Summary

Why It's a Great Opportunity:
We are looking for some great Licensed Legal Interns! You will get invaluable courtroom experience while being able to give back to the community. Under the supervision of experienced attorneys, interns learn to review files, meet with clients, and appear in court. You will primarily represent clients at arraignment and post-conviction review hearings; but will also have the opportunity to assist with motions, pre-trials, and trial.

The Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) is an opportunity to work in a supportive environment with training and opportunities to improve trial skills and gain significant courtroom experience. As a DAC employee you will make a difference in people's lives and a positive contribution to Pierce County.

Why It's a Great Department:

The Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) is responsible for the delivery of mandated legal services to indigent persons accused of crimes in the Pierce County Superior Court; Pierce County District Court; Municipal Court of Tacoma; and Pierce County Juvenile Court proceedings. DAC also provides constitutionally mandated legal services to persons detained for Involuntary Civil commitment proceedings at Western State Hospital, and other evaluation and treatment facilities, and a limited number of participants in Dependency proceedings.

The mission of the Department of Assigned Counsel is to provide and administer the public defense delivery system in Pierce County in a manner that assures eligible people receive professional and effective representation while efficiently utilizing public resources.

For more information about our great organization, please visit by clickinghere.

How to be Successful in the Role:

To succeed in this role, you must have strong interpersonal skills, excellent research and writing skills, a demonstrated commitment to social justice, and help provide quality legal representation and zealous advocacy for indigent clients at all stages of criminal proceedings.

Your Future in this Role:

This is a great way to improve trial skills and gain significant courtroom experience. This is a temporary position (up to 5-months). Position is 35-40 hours a week, Monday through Friday. The department is open to the public from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Hours are flexible and can accommodate student schedules.

There is also a potential to become a Limited Duration Licensed Legal Intern, which is typically a position that works for 1 to 3 years.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Assist in legal representation of clients at in-custody arraignments, pretrial hearings, and post-conviction review or violation hearings.
• Case review for legal issues; legal research, writing, and oral argument.
• Trial preparation, investigation, and presentation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in and in good academic standing in a J.D. program at an ABA-accredited law school or be a graduate of an ABA-accredited law school.
• Must be able to obtain a Rule 9 license from the Washington State Bar prior to commencement of internship.
• Must pass background check for jail access.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a courtroom or clinic.
• Experience working with various populations such as those living with mental illness, English as a second language or low income.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

• As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.
• A valid Washington State Driver's License is required.

The full classification for this role can be foundhere.

Additional Note:

Pay for Licensed Legal Intern is:
$35.00 hourly for pre-graduates
$37.00 hourly for post-graduates

Supplemental Information

Pay Transparency:

Compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

EEO and Welcoming Workplace:

This is a competitive selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service. Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.

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