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Externship (Academic Year) Program

USAO Western District of Washington

United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington

Legal Extern, Academic Year

700 Stewart Street, Suite 5220

Seattle, WA 98101

 

About the Office:

The United States Attorney's Office hosts law student externs each academic term, August through June, with preference for students from the University of Washington Law School and Seattle University Law School.  Law school externs receive academic credits from their respective law schools based on the educational experience they gain from their work in the United States Attorney's Office.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities.

Job Description:

Law student externs participate in the work of various Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSA) in the Civil and Criminal Divisions under the guidance of AUSA Field Supervisors.  Externs have the opportunity to work on a variety of civil and criminal cases, predominantly conducting legal research and drafting legal memoranda.  Depending on the activities of the office at the time, externs may also participate in preparations for, and attend, discovery conferences, depositions, mediations, court hearings, witness interviews, and trials.

Qualifications:

Must have successfully completed at least one year of law school.  Must have superior research and writing skills, be detail oriented, be dedicated to upholding and advancing justice and human rights, and have a commitment to fairness and integrity.  Must be a United States Citizen.

Externs are subject to and must pass a background investigation.  This includes fingerprinting, a credit check, and completing a security questionnaire.

Salary:  Volunteer (uncompensated).

Travel:  Minimum travel to other offices in the district.

Relocation expenses:  Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Number of positions:  Two or more.

Application Process:

Each application packet to the United States Attorney's Office must include:

  1. A cover letter describing your interest in an externship with the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington;
  2. A resume;
  3. Your most recent available academic transcript; and
  4. A writing sample.

Seattle University

Students with Seattle University School of Law must initiate their application through the Law School’s Externship Program, at law.seattleu.edu/academics/programs/externship-program

Applications for the Externship Program must be sent via email to USAWAW.Externship@usdoj.gov by the following dates:

Fall Semester:  May 15 of the prior Spring

Spring Semester:  October 15 of the prior Fall

 

University of Washington

Information on the externship program is posted for each quarter on the UW Career Service’s website, SCS Online.  Applicants may apply for the position through SCS Online or may apply directly by emailing application materials to USAWAW.Externship@usdoj.gov.

Applications from the University of Washington must be received by the following dates: 

Fall Quarter: May 15 of the prior Spring

Winter Quarter: October 15 of the prior Fall

Spring Quarter: January 15 of the prior Winter

Extern Applicants from Non-Seattle area law schools

For law students attending a non-Seattle area school who are interested in this Office’s externship program, initiate your application through your school’s externship office and/or follow the externship office’s procedures for applying for an externship.  Students may submit their application, along with a copy of their school’s externship office placement requirements, to USAWAW.Externship@usdoj.gov.  The application must be received by the Field Supervisors at least three months prior to the school term for which the externship is to begin.

Updated August 8, 2024