With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

The Criminal Division seeks one or more Assistant City Prosecutors to join the team. This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate to learn to manage a dynamic caseload and develop trial skills.

The Criminal Division represents the City in prosecuting misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and traffic infractions in Seattle Municipal Court, including driving under the influence, domestic violence, theft, assault, property damage, and trespassing. Prosecutors rotate through units dedicated to reviewing incident reports and filing cases, trials, and domestic violence cases. Opportunities also exist for prosecutors to work in therapeutic courts - Mental Health Court and Veterans Treatment Court. All prosecutors assist in formulating and implementing policies to promote racial and social justice equity, including developing potential alternatives to incarceration for criminal offenders.

Job Responsibilities

• Represents the City Attorney in prosecuting misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal offenses and probation violations; learns prosecutorial techniques and strategies; meets competing deadlines; and develops trial skills in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment.
• Reviews citations, arrest sheets, and other law enforcement documents; gathers facts and data; conducts factual and legal analysis to determine whether charges should be filed.
• Draft complaints, briefs, motions, memoranda of law, and other legal documents.
• Manages assigned cases in accordance with standard protocols and procedures; confers with witnesses and crime victims; negotiates plea agreements with defense counsel within established guidelines; develops trial and prosecution strategy for supervisor approval.
• Coordinates with members of the Seattle Police Department and members of other law enforcement agencies, and other involved parties to establish and verify the basis for prosecution or dismissal.
• Represents the City of Seattle at arraignments, hearings, and trials; compiles records and other information; identifies witnesses for subpoena; brings cases before the court and argues facts of the case in relation to points of law, case law, and legal precedent; interviews and cross-examines witnesses.
• Assists city prosecutors in preparing complex misdemeanor arraignments, motions, pleas, and hearings.
• Adheres to a high degree of professional ethics and integrity.

This position requires membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, OR the ability to obtain membership within 30 days of an offer of employment, OR being a Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern awaiting Washington State Bar Examination results. Continued employment for Rule 9 candidates is contingent on passing the Washington State Bar Examination and becoming a member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association within six months of beginning employment.

Additionally, a successful candidate will have the knowledge and skills to effectively manage a large and diverse trial­ focused caseload, including:

• Thorough knowledge of the rules of evidence and criminal procedure.
• Effective legal research and writing.
• Persuasive advocacy skills, including techniques to present the prosecution's case as a narrative storyline.
• Ability to quickly address a wide variety of legal issues.
• Creativity in developing different solutions to problems; and
• Flexibility to respond to competing demands.

About Seattle City Attorney's Office

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

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