About the role#
Pierce County is hiring Licensed Legal Interns to join the Department of Assigned Counsel. This role offers the chance to gain courtroom experience and contribute to public defense services. Interns work under the supervision of experienced attorneys to provide legal representation for indigent clients. This is a temporary position lasting up to 5 months, with 35 to 40 hours of work per week. The department is open to flexible scheduling to accommodate student needs. There is potential for some interns to transition into longer-term roles lasting 1 to 3 years.
What you'll do#
- Review case files and conduct legal research.
- Represent clients at arraignments and post-conviction review hearings.
- Assist with motions, pre-trials, and trial proceedings.
- Prepare for trials, including investigation and presentation.
- Draft legal documents and present oral arguments.
- Meet directly with clients.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in good academic standing at an ABA-accredited law school or graduation from one.
- Ability to obtain a Rule 9 license from the Washington State Bar before starting.
- A valid Washington State Driver's License.
- Ability to pass a background check for jail access.
- Preferred: Experience in a courtroom or clinic setting.
- Preferred: Experience working with diverse populations, including those with mental illness, English as a second language, or low income.
Location & details#
- Location: Tacoma, Washington.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Compensation: $35.00 per hour for pre-graduates and $37.00 per hour for post-graduates.
- Employment Type: Full-time, temporary extra hire.
- Sponsorship: Not available.
About Pierce County
Pierce County is a government agency based in Tacoma, Washington. Founded in 1859, the county serves a population of more than 927,000 residents across 23 communities. It operates with a workforce of approximately 2,871 employees. The region hosts several higher education institutions and supports various manufacturing businesses.
How to get in at Pierce County
Securing an internship at Pierce County often comes down to timing. Because many government roles fill up quickly, Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere. Applying among the first allows your application to be seen before the pile grows, which is a significant advantage in a competitive search. You can also improve your odds by connecting with the right people. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral. Reaching a human contact materially improves your response rates compared to sending materials into a blind queue.
