1Ls & 2Ls: Paid Summers with the Washington State Attorney General
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is accepting applications from all first and second-year law students for summer 2026 PAID clerkships! We have found that law students benefit greatly from a law clerking experience with the AGO by fulfilling public service requirements and gaining valuable first-hand legal training that complements and enhances one’s academic career. Those who wish to receive academic credit for any summer law clerk experience must also apply through this spring recruitment program.
Compensation is $23-$24 per hour.
Required Application Materials/Deadline:
Students interested in participating in either of these programs must apply to the 2026 Spring Recruitment Program – Summer Clerkships | Job Details tab | Career Pages posting by February 12, 2026 and submit a profile.
If the student is a veteran they can also apply for the Veteran Law Clerk – Summer 2026 | Job Details tab | Career Pages posting by January 14, 2026.
In addition to fully completing a profile and responding to all supplemental questions, you must upload the following documents:
- A letter of interest;
- Resume;
- Law School Transcript (official or unofficial);
- Letter of recommendation (2L only);
- List of References (1L only);
- Writing sample (veteran law clerk posting only).
Second-year 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 directly to the recruitment office by e-mail to hremployment@atg.wa.gov.
First-year law students must upload a list of three professional references with their application. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
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;
- Assistant 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.
Recruitment Process:
Please refer to our Annual Report, which can be found at www.atg.wa.gov, for more information on specific divisions as well as FAQ’s. 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 in March. Applications of those not selected for an interview or are not selected by a division with whom they have interviewed, will be retained should additional opportunities arise.
Jennifer Watsek
Workforce Outreach and Development Coordinator
Washington State Office of the Attorney General
(360) 709-6029
This information is also found in Symplicity Post 9478.
