Job Title
Rule 9 Legal Interns for Summer 2026 - Recruiting Rising 2Ls
Job Responsibilities
Rule 9 Interns will be assigned to a supervising attorney and placed in a specialized unit within the Mainstream Criminal Division, Civil Division, or Juvenile Division. Interns may be required to work at any of the three locations: Seattle, Kent, or Redmond, although candidates can specify a preference. The positions are full-time, operating from 8:00 . to 5:00 . over a 13-week period.
In the Civil Division, which is divided into eight specialized sections, Rule 9 Interns will engage in a variety of challenging legal tasks, including:
- Conducting legal research and analysis
- Drafting legal briefs and memoranda
- Participating in depositions, mediations, arbitrations, court hearings, trials, and other professional activities and events
Education and Experience Information
Candidates must be eligible for a Washington State Rule 9 License at the time of their start in summer 2026, which typically requires the completion of the second year in a three-year law program. Part-time students and those in four-year programs should verify eligibility with their school and the Washington State Bar Association before applying. Candidates must be current 2L students who will be between their second and third years of law school during summer 2026.
Additionally, candidates must pass a criminal background check, which includes fingerprinting.
Salary Information
The position offers a weekly salary of $1,240. No additional benefits are provided for this internship.
Supplemental Information
To apply, candidates must submit the following materials by August 1st, 2025:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- List of three references
- Unofficial transcript
- 5-10 page writing sample
Students from Seattle University, University of Washington, or Gonzaga are encouraged to apply through their school's job listing system, in addition to the King County Career website, to ensure their school can track their progress and to take advantage of interview slots. Candidates who are eligible to apply via a job fair that the organization is attending are encouraged to do so, but they must also submit their application and materials via the County’s website.
Because of limited funds, out-of-state, on-campus recruiting is not anticipated, and no funds are available to support candidates' trips to Seattle.
Interview Timeline & Process
Materials will be reviewed, and candidates will be notified if they are selected for an interview. First-round interviews will occur at a combination of on-campus interviews, job fairs, and directly with the office by August 15. Second-round interviews will be held on August 22nd and August 29th, with offers extended by September 12.
Interviews for local candidates in the greater Seattle area will be conducted in person at the King County Courthouse. Out-of-state candidates will interview via Microsoft Teams. Local candidates requiring a virtual platform can make arrangements by selecting the virtual option in the supplemental questions.
There is no assurance that an externship will lead to a Rule 9 Intern position or that a Rule 9 Intern position will result in a future position with the office.
Benefits
The position does not include benefits, but King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package for eligible positions, designed to support employees' health and well-being. The benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage options, life and disability insurance, retirement plans, transportation programs, paid holidays, and leave policies, among others.
Note: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan, will vary based on the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, candidates should contact the recruiter identified in the job posting.
