Public Defense Legal Intern, 10 Week Summer 2027, (Rule 9 Licensed)

King County; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Transit pass

Paid sick leave

Holiday pay

Job summary

King County's Department of Public Defense seeks a Public Defense Legal Intern for a 10-week summer program in Seattle, WA. The role offers hybrid work, court appearances, and exposure to felony and family defense teams while supporting attorneys and clients.

Eligibility includes two years of law school and ABA-approved status. Applicants should demonstrate writing, communication, organization, and a passion for indigent defense. The program begins in June 2027 and runs through the summer.

Qualifications

• By June 2027 the student will have completed two years of law school and be enrolled and in good academic standing at an American Bar Association approved law school.
• Able to qualify as a Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern, under the WSBA rule.
• A demonstrated interest in representing indigent persons. Possess good moral character and fitness to practice law (APPs 20-24).
• Effective writing and communication skills.
• Organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Initiative and accountability for work product or service.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys and appear on the record at arraignment hearings; pretrial hearings; motion hearings; sentencing and probation review; or, if placed in civil practice areas, other hearings relevant to that practice (shelter care, review hearings, etc.).
• Assist with trial preparations (DPD makes an effort to provide but cannot guarantee trial experience).
• Communication with clients as well as social workers, service providers, and other individuals involved in a client’s case.
• Other duties as requested.

Skills

Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern

Strong writing skills

Communication skills

Multitasking in a fast-paced env

Education

ABA approved law school enrollment

Two years of law school completed

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Public Defense Legal Intern, 10 Week Summer 2027, (Rule 9 Licensed) in Seattle, WA

Job Details

Employer: King County

Salary: $3,502.40 Biweekly

Location: Dexter Horton Building - 710 Second Avenue #200, Seattle, WA

Job Type: Intern

Job Number: 2026JQ27773

Department: DPD – Dept. of Public Defense

Opening Date: 08/03/2026

Closing Date: Continuous

FLSA: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines

Contract: Full-time

Summary

DPD represents indigent clients in several practice areas: criminal defense (felonies and misdemeanors), juvenile defense, family defense, involuntary civil commitment, sex offender commitments, and contempt of court. Most students will be offered an internship in a single practice area and should express any preference in their cover letter.

DPD’s internship program gives students meaningful opportunities to engage directly with clients and to appear in court with the support of experienced public defenders.

This is a rolling application – internship positions will remain open until filled. Interns are paid bi-weekly. This position is subject to approved funding. This is a non-benefit eligible position. We anticipate filling approximately 20 internship positions.

Why join DPD?

DPD is a well-resourced public defense agency in a state that was the first to adopt new caseload standards grounded in the National Public Defense Workload Study (RAND). In July 2025, we began implementing a novel case-weight credit model designed to promote sustainable workloads and ensure that every client receives the time and attention their case requires. Felony pretrial cases are assigned between 1 and 8 credits.

Our credit model is based on the Washington State Bar Association’s Standards for Indigent Defense Services (revised September 2024), which apply to both criminal and family defense. The goal is to create conditions where public defenders can consistently provide the level of representation the Constitution demands—while building sustainable and fulfilling careers serving underserved communities.

DPD provides high-quality legal representation to indigent clients facing felony or misdemeanor charges in adult or juvenile court, loss of family integrity in dependency and termination cases, and petitions for involuntary commitment because of alleged mental illness or substance abuse.

We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty and disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Internally, we strive to foster a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive—grounded in a shared commitment to anti-oppression principles and equity across lines of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, class, and other identities.

To learn more about DPD, visit our website.

Job Duties

• Assist attorneys and appear on the record at arraignment hearings; pretrial hearings; motion hearings; sentencing and probation review; or, if placed in civil practice areas, other hearings relevant to that practice (shelter care, review hearings, etc.).
• Assist with trial preparations (DPD makes an effort to provide but cannot guarantee trial experience).
• Communication with clients as well as social workers, service providers, and other individuals involved in a client’s case.
• Other duties as requested.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• By June 2027 the student will have completed two years of law school and be enrolled and in good academic standing at an American Bar Association approved law school.
• Able to qualify as a Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern, under the WSBA rule.
• A demonstrated interest in representing indigent persons. Possess good moral character and fitness to practice law (APPs 20-24).
• Effective writing and communication skills.
• Organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Initiative and accountability for work product or service.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment that may include personal computers, copiers, and fax machines.
• Ability to multitask and self-direct in a fast-paced environment.

Desired

• Multilingual skills are a plus.
• Completed at least one of the following courses: evidence, criminal procedure, and a clinical or trial advocacy course.

Supplemental Information

Who May Apply

Second year law students in good academic standing at an American Bar Association approved law school may apply. Proof of full-time or part-time enrollment in school is required upon hire and throughout employment on a recurring schedule for the regular school year (e.g. quarterly or on a semester basis).

DPD seeks to hire interns with a wide range of life experiences. We particularly welcome applications from those who have personal experience in navigating the systems in which we work or come from communities most impacted by these systems.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play.

All candidates should submit the following:

• An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back long enough to include all relevant experience.
• A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
• A resume.
• Unofficial Transcript.
• A three-page self-authored writing sample.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Internships will remain open until filled. All candidates selected for an interview will be interviewed using videoconference technology.

First consideration will be given to candidates who apply prior to September 4, 2026. Once all positions are filled the posting will be closed.

Work Schedule and Location

The Rule-9 Intern Team works in a hybrid model. The ratio of telecommuting to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location for these positions may be Seattle or Kent.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Rotation of work location, practice area, and workflow is an essential function of this position and may occur as needed to support operations. You may be assigned to any of our Seattle or Kent offices:

• Dexter Horton Building – 710 Second Avenue, Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building – 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle
• Ninth & Jefferson Building – 908 Jefferson Street, Seattle
• Meeker Street Building – 420 West Harrison Street, Kent
• Kent Professional Center – 124 4th Avenue S., Suite 200, Kent
• Redmond Office – 8601 160th Ave. NE. Redmond

This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This position is expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform the job, and some night and weekend work is required.

This internship position includes a free transit pass and paid sick leave. Interns are also eligible for holiday pay but are not eligible for vacation leave, medical benefits, or retirement benefits, and are not considered regular employees.

Successful candidates shall inform the HR Recruiter and their supervisor in advance of any planned absences during the internship, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in June 2027.

DPD Policies

• DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.
• Outside Work Policy for Attorneys will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.

Union Membership

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining agreement.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Benefits

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.