Closing Date: 18th February, 2027
Description:
Summary:Legal Extern Program Criminal Division - Summer 2027
This is a 10-week program for law students during the summer between their first and second years of law school. The externship program is designed to give students a meaningful experience and exposure to public service law practice in our office. It is an excellent way to become acquainted with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, pursue an interest in criminal law, and to determine whether this practice area is a future career path for the externs. These positions are unpaid, but many law schools offer credit for externship programs.
About the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Guided by our core values of Integrity, Compassion, Professionalism and Leadership, our mission is to do Justice:
- We exercise the power given to us by the people with fairness and humility.
- We serve our diverse community, support victims and families, and hold individuals accountable.
- We develop innovative and collaborative solutions for King County and the State of Washington.
Our office is comprised of six divisions that are further organized into specialized units:
Job Duties:
Externs with our criminal divisions will be assigned to one or more deputies in a specialized unit in one of the following divisions: Economic Crimes & Wage Theft Division (https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/pao/about-king-county/about-pao/team-leadership/organizational-structure/criminal/economic-crimes-wage-theft), Gender-Based Violence & Prevention Division (https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/pao/about-king-county/about-pao/team-leadership/organizational-structure/criminal/gender-based-violence-prevention), Mainstream Criminal Division. (https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/pao/about-king-county/about-pao/team-leadership/organizational-structure/criminal/mainstream)
Duties in the Economic Crimes & Wage Theft Division, Gender-Based Violence & Prevention Division, and Mainstream Criminal Division may include:
- Legal research and writing.
- General preparation and support prior to and during trial.
- Weekly presentations by extern leaders, tours of partner facilities and trainings, and court observation.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills:
- Must be a current 1L, who will be between their first and second years of law school during summer 2027.
- Candidates must have a genuine interest in criminal law and procedure.
- Basic legal and writing skills.
- Willingness to work under frequent deadlines in the fast-paced environment of criminal litigation.
- Must submit to a criminal history check and fingerprinting.
- The ability to consistently maintain a high standard of professionalism in interactions and conduct within a law office and courtroom setting.
Supplemental Information:
Wages: Range 42, Step 1 $33.3710 2027 hourly rate
Benefits: This position is not benefits eligible
Work Locations:
Economic Crimes & Wage Theft, Gender-Based Violence & Prevention, Mainstream Criminal - King County Courthouse in Seattle or Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for a minimum of ten weeks.*
These positions are primarily in-person with some ability to telecommute each week as business needs allow, subject to a telecommuting agreement. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Application Process: Interested candidates should apply through this recruitment and include:
Applications or supplemental questionnaires that state "see my resume" or that are blank are considered incomplete and will not be competitive.
Timeline:
Applications due: February 18, 2026, at 12:00 noon.
Interviews by our extern selection committee will take place March 4th and March 5th for competitive applicants.
Consideration for Future Employment: Summer externs applying for our 2L summer intern program will be evaluated carefully by their supervising attorney. There is no guarantee that an externship will lead to a Rule 9 Intern position or a future position with our office.
Reasonable Accommodation:
Persons with disabilities may request special accommodations from the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in order to participate in a selection process or to perform work once hired. Requests for accommodations should be made as soon as possible. This may be done by a written letter or an appropriate alternative format to our offices, or phone 206-477-1204.
These positions are primarily in-person with some ability to telecommute each week as business needs allow, subject to a telecommuting agreement. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Application Process: Interested candidates should apply through this recruitment and include:
- Cover letter
- Resume, and
- Writing sample 5-10 pages in length
Applications or supplemental questionnaires that state "see my resume" or that are blank are considered incomplete and will not be competitive.
Timeline:
Applications due: February 18, 2026, at 12:00 noon.
Interviews by our extern selection committee will take place March 4th and March 5th for competitive applicants.
Consideration for Future Employment: Summer externs applying for our 2L summer intern program will be evaluated carefully by their supervising attorney. There is no guarantee that an externship will lead to a Rule 9 Intern position or a future position with our office.
Reasonable Accommodation:
Persons with disabilities may request special accommodations from the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in order to participate in a selection process or to perform work once hired. Requests for accommodations should be made as soon as possible. This may be done by a written letter or an appropriate alternative format to our offices, or phone 206-477-1204.