[Hiring] Staff Attorney @Administrative Office of the Courts

Role Description

This is a rare opportunity to work at the heart of Washington’s judicial system and contribute directly to the work of the Washington Supreme Court. Under the direction of the Supreme Court Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner, you will conduct sophisticated legal research, analyze complex appellate matters, and prepare high-quality legal memoranda that assist Justices in deciding which cases warrant review by the state’s highest court.

In this role, you will evaluate petitions for review, motions, and other matters presenting significant legal questions, emerging issues, and evolving areas of constitutional, criminal, and civil law. Your work will require careful analysis of trial records, lower court decisions, legal arguments, and developing legal trends, culminating in objective, well-reasoned recommendations that help shape judicial decision-making.

The position offers a unique opportunity to engage with intellectually challenging legal issues, including cases involving unsettled law, conflicting appellate decisions, and new legal developments. Through your research, analysis, and writing, you will provide each Justice with the comprehensive information needed to independently evaluate cases and make informed decisions regarding review and disposition. Your contributions will play a meaningful role in the development of Washington law and the administration of justice statewide.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides the Justices with legal memoranda recommending whether the Court should grant, deny, or take some other appropriate action on petitions for review and motions, and whether the Court should retain appeals filed directly in the Court or transfer them for decision by the Court of Appeals in the first instance.
• Prepares draft opinions and orders for the Court and draft rulings for the Commissioner as requested.
• Prepares, for internal office use, summaries of proposed opinions circulating among the Supreme Court Justices.
• Prepares, for posting on the Court’s website, issue statements for cases to be heard by the Court.
• Assists the Commissioner’s Office in making recommendations for changes to court rules and internal procedures.
• Serves as a resource for the Court’s judicial law clerks and law student externs on legal and procedural questions and assists in the orientation, training, and mentoring of law clerks and externs.
• Assists in the development and presentation of continuing legal education programs sponsored by the Commissioner’s Office.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law.
• Member in good standing in the Washington State Bar Association (attorneys licensed in other states will be considered, provided they are committed to timely licensure in Washington).
• Four (4) years of attorney experience working in an appellate court or equivalent experience.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to learn and help implement new technology.
• Willingness to work remotely as required by the office.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize work, manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and consistently deliver high-quality results.
• Skills for building and maintaining a positive team environment.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including an understanding and commitment to ending systemic racism as expressed in the Washington Supreme Court’s open letter to the public dated June 4, 2020.

How to Apply

• Completed online application.
• Current Resume.
• Letter of Interest addressing your qualifications for the position.
• Three (3) to five (5) professional references to include a current or recent supervisor with email addresses and phone numbers.
• Two (2) legal writing samples (preferably 5 to 10 pages each) representing your own work.

Important Information

• The workweek may fluctuate depending on workload or agency needs.
• Overnight travel may be required based on business needs.
• This position is not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• The AOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, pregnancy, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, physical, mental or sensory disability (actual or perceived), use of a service animal, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, age, HIV or Hepatitis C status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law.
• Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, please contact us @ [email protected].
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.