STAFF ATTORNEY
State of WashingtonAbout the role
Posting number: 2026-63
Department: Administrative Office of the Courts
Job classification: ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS
Posting type: Open
Categories: Legal, Attorney
Summary
Washington State Court of Appeals (COA) Division I is seeking a motivated professional to join our team. As the Staff Attorney, you’ll assist the court in resolving all types of motions and cases before the court and in handling court administrative matters as requested. You'll draft prehearing memoranda and opinions, rulings, and orders.
Washington State
Court of Appeals, Division I
Employment Opportunity
STAFF ATTORNEY
Our Mission: To serve the People by providing an accessible forum for the independent and impartial review of cases, while maintaining an atmosphere that respects the dignity and safeguards the rights of all.
POSITION DETAILS
Job #: 2026-63
Status: Regular, Full-Time
Location: Seattle, Washington
Salary: Range 80: $122,371 - $160,549 per year (DOQ), Includes 5% for King County Pay
Opens: July 13, 2026
Closes: August 2, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to apply early. AOC reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time.
Examples of duties
(Note: The following is a listing of typical duties; the actual duties of a position may not include all those listed or may include other work of a similar nature.)
- Personal Restraint Petitions - Initially reviews personal restraint petitions to determine whether petition is procedurally barred or response is required; reviews petition, responses, and record requests supplemental responses and record where appropriate; recommends appropriate disposition of motions; researches issues; consults with Chief Judge or Acting Chief Judge; and prepares appropriate orders and/or opinion.
- Anders cases - Reviews Anders brief and response; reviews entire record provided by counsel; requests supplemental record where appropriate; research issues raised by counsel and nonfrivolous issues not raised by counsel; consults with judges where appropriate; and prepares memorandum and per curium opinion or order; with clerk’s office maintains list of pending and ready Anders cases.
- Nonoral argument cases - Reviews briefs and record; research issues; consults with judges where appropriate; prepares prehearing memorandum or draft opinion; with secretarial assistance, finalizes opinion or order; addresses motions for reconsideration as requested by judges.
- Oral argument cases - Prepares prehearing memorandum and draft opinion in cases that present multiple issues and/or lengthy records; responsibilities include those for nonoral argument cases; and provides editorial comments on opinions in circulation.
- Motions on the Merits and other motions - Reviews and assists judges and commissioners in preparing rulings and orders on various motions, including motions on the merits, motions for discretionary review, motions for accelerated review of juvenile and adult sentences, emergency motions and motions to modify.
- Screening and Calendar Setting - Screens all briefs filed, identifying key issues and tentatively designating appropriate calendar for disposition; monitors recurrent pending issues; consults with judges, commissioners and clerk’s office where appropriate; determines whether to recommend a stay or possible certification; recommends weight to be allocated to certain oral argument cases; prepares orders setting motions to dismiss or to determine mootness where appropriate; with clerk’s office sets the oral argument calendar; and maintains informal statistics of allocation of cases across calendars.
- Court administration - Assists with training of law clerks and other court personnel; participates in court CLE presentations; serves on division and court-wide committees; assi
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