Attorney - Litigation Section - Civil Division

Salary

$122,671.00 - $153,703.00 Annually

Location


Columbia Center - 701 5th Ave, Seattle, WA

Job Type

Appt/Exempt

Job Number

2026-28074

Department

PAO - Prosecuting Attorneys

Opening Date

10/14/2026

Closing Date

10/28/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA


Exempt

Bargaining Unit


Z7A : PAO Non-Rep VL

Full- or Part-Time


Full Time

Summary

The Civil Division is in search of an enthusiastic and analytical attorney to join our team in the Litigation Section, to work primarily on tort matters and potentially employment matters, depending on interest and experience. Attorneys in the Litigation Section litigate cases in both federal and state court, including appeals.


The Litigation Section defends King County and King County employees and officials in lawsuits brought by current and former employees and members of the public who claim personal injury or civil rights violations under 42 USC 1983. Many of our lawsuits involve King County Metro, the Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention and the Sheriff's Office. We also give legal advice to these and other County departments. Attorneys in the Litigation Section also have opportunities to work with attorneys across the Civil Division on complex, non-tort litigation.


About the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office

Guided by our core values of Integrity, Compassion, Professionalism, and Leadership, our mission is to do Justice:

• We exercise the power given to us by the people with fairness and humility.
• We serve our diverse community, support victims and families, and hold individuals accountable.
• We develop innovative and collaborative solutions for King County and the State of Washington.

Our office is composed of six divisions that are further organized into specialized units:

We value diversity and strive to hire a workforce that reflects the community that we serve. It is essential to our mission that we create and maintain an office that is diverse and inclusive. All PAO employees are expected to participate in PAO equity work and attend equity trainings and discussions. PAO employees are expected to comply with race, equity, and social justice principles, and to work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement.

To learn more about the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO), please visit our website .

Job Duties

Attorneys in the Litigation Section also litigate matters that focus on the county's business and policy objectives in areas where the law is developing. Because this work often focuses on areas where the case law is uncertain, the attorneys work to develop multi-layered strategies using the tools of negotiation, policy, legislation, litigation, and/or appellate practice. With an emphasis on motions practice and appeals, attorneys handling these matters work closely with clients providing strategic advice, and regularly address issues of state and federal constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and developing common law.


Applicants must have a commitment to equity and social justice work, including ongoing cultural competence development.

The Litigation Section makes significant investments in its members by providing robust onboarding, training, resources, and support. The successful applicant will be expected to work in the Litigation Section for at least two years before seeking a position in another section/division.

We are providing a courtesy link to the Rules of Professional Conduct for candidates to consider and review to ensure they are meeting any requirements, particularly for those who currently represent individuals in any King County-related matters. In the supplemental question section, please acknowledge you have reviewed this and that you're aware of these obligations.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Enthusiasm, initiative, and an ability to successfully lead a team on complex matters
• Outstanding analytical abilities
• Excellent legal research and writing skills are critical
• Demonstrable commitment to equity and social justice, including continued development of personal cultural humility/competence
• Desire to litigate in state and federal courts
• 3+ years of litigation experience
• Civil (tort or employment) and/or Appellate experience is desirable
• Must be Washington State Bar qualified (admitted)

Supplemental Information

Salary : $122,671 - $153,722 annually commensurate with 3- 15 years of experience.


Application Process:

1. Fully complete King County application*
2. Attach Resume & Cover Letter addressed to the Hiring Committee

3. Attach a three page or more writing sample, related to a civil motion or brief.
4. Answer supplemental questions
*Applications or supplemental questionnaires that state "see my resume" or that are blank are considered incomplete and will not be considered competitive.

Special Requirements:

• Member in good standing with the Washington State Bar.
• Must submit to a criminal history check.

Location : The Civil Division is located in the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle.

Telecommuting : Attorneys in the Civil Division enjoy a hybrid work schedule that allows telecommuting three days one week, two days the next, with in-office work required on Wednesdays. If a successful candidate is new to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, they may be required to work in-office three days every week for six months.



For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact :


Selene Poulsen (she/her)

Sr. Human Resources Analyst

View email address on click.appcast.io


Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is dedicated to making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon 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, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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