2022 Honors Program - The application window for this program is closed and we are no longer accepting applications. 

The Washington State Attorney General's Office (AGO) is pleased to invite you to apply to our 2022 Honors Program. The Honors Program is a yearly opportunity for qualified third- year law students, as well as judicial clerks of the appellate and federal courts, to apply for permanent, entry-level attorney positions. This year’s program will culminate in offers of an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) position to approximately 5 applicants. Those who receive offers will be placed into AAG positions starting in August/September of 2023. Offers are contingent upon passing the July 2023 Washington State Bar examination or, for judicial clerks not yet members of the Washington State Bar Association, admission to the Washington State Bar by one's start date. 

Those who receive and accept an offer will be placed in a division that takes into consideration one’s preferences for division and office location assignment. Accordingly, one’s divisional and geographic preferences and flexibility is a critical factor in the AGO’s Honors application and interview process. 

Regardless of one's specific placement, the AGO offers the opportunity to hit the ground running with meaningful work, collegial colleagues and a strong infrastructure to build a successful legal career in public service. New AAGs can expect to receive immediate responsibility for case or client representation in an environment with ample training, mentorship and guidance. 

For feedback from other attorneys who have joined the office through the Honors program check out this page. Information about Honors candidates and their assignments from 2011 to 2021 can be found here. 

Although every position is unique, typical duties of AAGs include:

• Researching legal issues;
• Consulting with clients and providing option-based advice as necessary;
• Developing litigation strategies;
• Identifying and preparing witnesses and exhibits;
• Crafting necessary pleadings and briefs; 
• Litigating cases before administrative entities or various levels of state and federal court; 
• Working directly and collaboratively with professional staff to meet and support litigation needs; and
• Positively contributing to the supportive, inclusive and collegial community that is the Washington Attorney General's Office.

To be eligible, one must be a third-year law student attending a school accredited by the ABA, or a judicial clerk of an appellate or federal court, who received a JD from a law school accredited by the ABA.

The following qualifications are highly desirable:

• Superior verbal and written communication skills that allows one to convey accurate and sometimes complex information in a clear, concise and understandable manner;
• Interest in litigation and the ability to work both independently and in teams to successfully prioritize and manage one's own caseload;
• Strong interpersonal skills including being a team player and being able to work with people of diverse backgrounds with respect and professionalism at all times;
• An interest in the work of the AGO and a demonstrated commitment to public service;
• A diverse background in terms of education, experience and perspective;
• Interest and self-motivation to learn new areas of the law and develop new skills; and
• Divisional and geographic preferences that can be reasonably satisfied via the Honors Program's timing and placement process.

If you meet the qualifications, share our vision, and have a desire to do important work that makes a difference for our community, then we invite you to apply!

For questions about the AGO's Honors Program, you are encouraged and welcome to contact Attorney Recruitment Administrator Letrice Tobin at Letrice.Tobin@atg.wa.gov

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment.  Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO. 

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.