Litigation Attorney - Tort/Employment

The Civil Division of the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is in search of an enthusiastic and analytical attorney with excellent writing skills to join our team in the Litigation Section, to work on tort and employment matters.  Depending on interest and experience, the successful candidate may also have the opportunity to work on affirmative federal litigation.

We value diversity and strive to hire a workforce that reflects the community that we serve. It is essential to our mission that we create and maintain an office that is diverse and inclusive. All PAO employees are expected to participate in PAO equity work and attend equity trainings and discussions. PAO employees are expected to comply with equity and social justice principles, and to work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement.

Attorneys in the Litigation Section litigate cases in both federal and state court, including appeals.  We defend King County and King County employees and officials in lawsuits brought by current and former employees under the Washington Law against Discrimination and Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act, and in lawsuits brought by members of the public who claim personal injury or civil rights violations under 42 USC §1983.  

Many of our lawsuits involve King County Metro, the Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention, and the Sheriff's Office.  We also give legal advice to these and other County departments. Attorneys in the Litigation Section also have opportunities to work with attorneys across the Civil Division on complex, non-tort litigation. 

Attorneys in the Litigation Section also litigate matters that focus on the county’s business and policy objectives in areas where the law is developing.  Because this work often focuses on areas where the case law is uncertain, the attorneys work to develop multi-layered strategies using the tools of negotiation, policy, legislation, litigation, and/or appellate practice.  With an emphasis on motions practice and appeals, attorneys handling these matters work closely with clients providing strategic advice, and regularly address issues of state and federal constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and developing common law.

Applicants must have a commitment to equity and social justice work, including ongoing cultural competence development.  

• Enthusiasm, initiative, and an ability to successfully lead a team on complex matters
• Excellent legal research and writing skills; appellate experience is a plus 
• Outstanding analytical abilities
• Demonstrable commitment to race, equity and social justice, including continued development of personal cultural humility/competence
• Desire to litigate in state and federal courts
• Minimum 3-5 years of litigation experience, employment preferred

• Member in good standing with the Washington State Bar.
• Must submit to a criminal history check.
• U.S. Citizenship or a lawful permanent resident (per RCW 36.27 and 29A.04 and Article VI of the WA Constitution).

Location: The Civil Division is located in the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle.  Attorneys enjoy a hybrid work schedule that allows telecommuting three days one week, two days the next, with in-office work required on Wednesdays.  If a successful candidate is new to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, they may be required to work in-office three days every week for six months.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Jessica Kozma, Section Head at (206) 477-9536 or Heidi Jacobsen-Watts, Assistant Section Head at (206) 477-1861

This position is open both internally and externally and would be a lateral transfer for internal candidates.

Application & Interview Process:
1. Attach cover letter & resume
2. Attach writing sample
3. Answer supplemental questions