Law Clerk Internship/Externship for Academic Year

Law students interested in clerking at the AGO, whether receiving academic credit or serving as a law clerk (not receiving credit), during the academic year are encouraged to submit their application!  Serving as a law clerk or extern for the AGO not only can provide you the opportunity to earn valuable academic credit, it can offer the following, equally important benefits:

• 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

Details about working for the Attorney General’s Office 

The Office is committed to the benefits of a healthy life-work balance with a respectful, inclusive and diverse workplace where you will experience belonging and be part of a supportive and collegial team. 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 as a law clerk include: 

• Competitive salary – 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 a 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 (less than six months), they are not eligible for medical and dental benefits.

Although each law clerk's experience is unique, the following duties are typical 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.

To be considered for a law clerk 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. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Letrice Tobin at Letrice.Tobin@atg.wa.gov. 

Law students interested in clerking at the AGO, whether receiving academic credit or serving as a law clerk (not receiving credit), during the academic year may submit their application by clicking the “apply” button above.  If you're looking to serve as a law clerk extern during the academic year, you must time your application to coincide with the needs of their school's externship program.  In addition to completing the application, all applicants must upload all required documents:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• Law School Transcript (Official/Unofficial)
• Letter of Recommendation if a 2L, 3L or LL.M. (the letter can be sent separately to Letrice.Tobin@atg.wa.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 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 HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. 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.