2026 Spring Recruitment Program - Summer Clerkships

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.

2026 Summer Law Clerk Opportunities

($23 – $24/hourly wage)

The Attorney General’s Office is pleased to invite qualified first and second-year law students to apply for summer 2026 law clerk or externship positions via our 2026 Spring Recruitment Program.

Why you should apply

Law clerks and externs with the Washington Attorney General’s Office have opportunities to engage in meaningful work making a difference for Washingtonians. Our office is committed to supporting you in your growth through worthwhile, enriching, and educational experiences working for what we believe to be the best public law firm in the country.

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.

Duties

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;
• Assist 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.

Salary

• $23 - $24/hour

Qualifications

Students must be enrolled in an ABA accredited law school during the duration of their 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 office. Applicants must also be able to work in WA State for the duration of the clerkship.

Other Information

Qualified first and second-year students interested in participating in the Spring Recruitment Program must apply to this posting by clicking the "apply" button and submitting a profile. In addition to fully completing a profile and responding to all supplemental questions, you must upload the following materials by Thursday, February 12, 2026:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law School Transcript (official or unofficial); and
• Letter of recommendation (2L only)
• List of References (1L only)

Second-year law students are required to submit one letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation is the only document that will be accepted separately. The letter of recommendation can be submitted by the recommender before the application deadline directly to the recruitment office by e-mail (HRemployment@atg.wa.gov). First-year law students must submit a list of at least three professional references with their application materials.

Additional information (e.g., writing sample, additional letters of recommendation) will be accepted, but are not required. Incomplete applications will not be accepted or considered.

A little more about our process:

Please be sure to indicate your division and location preferences on your application as your application materials will be forwarded to the participating divisions for which you indicate an interest. Please refer to our Annual Report for more information on specific divisions. The divisions will determine who to interview and will directly contact students to set up interviews. It is expected that divisions will make their final decisions mid-March. Applications of those not selected for an interview or not selected by a division with whom they have interviewed, will be retained should additional opportunities arise.

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A few positions within the AGO have exposure to information that requires staff be screened and pass a fingerprint-based background check. A law clerk candidate could be placed into one of the affected positions and thus this provides notice that you may be subject to a fingerprint background check and be subject to additional background checks as a condition of employment every five (5) years thereafter.

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The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that 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 dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability or the use of a trained dog guide or 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 at1-800-676-3777or www.washingtonrelay.com.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Jennifer Watsek at jennifer.watsek@atg.wa.gov.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 07-21-2025