Division I - Clerkship Information

THE DIVISION ONE JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP

Division One of the Washington State Court of Appeals is one of three divisions of Washington’s intermediate appellate court. The division is located in downtown Seattle at 600 University Street. The 10 judges at Division One decide civil, criminal, and administrative appeals from the superior courts of King, Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties.

During the Court’s terms for oral argument, the judges decide cases in panels of three on the basis of the briefs, the trial record, and oral argument. One member of the panel is assigned to author the opinion. Opinions are written between terms.

Each judge employs two law clerks. A law clerk’s primary task is to help the judge prepare his or her assigned cases for oral argument. Before the scheduled hearing, the law clerk carefully studies the trial record and briefs and undertakes an independent review of the legal issues. The law clerk then prepares a memorandum of law to assist the panel deciding the cases. Law clerks attend oral argument for the cases on which they work. Following oral argument, the law clerk works closely with the judge to prepare the written opinions.

A judicial clerkship provides a unique and valuable experience for a new lawyer. The law clerk has the opportunity to study a wide cross section of the law and observe a variety of practitioners. Research, writing, and analytical skills acquired in law school improve. Above all, the judge’s mentoring provides an unparalleled chance to ease the transition from classroom to practice.

Clerkship applications should be mailed directly to the judge for whom you wish to clerk at:

Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I
One Union Square, 600 University Street
Seattle, Washington 98101

Applications for clerkship should include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Law school transcript
• List of references or letters of recommendation
• Writing sample

You are advised to call chambers before submitting your application to determine (1) if there is a vacancy and (2) whether additional materials are required.

Judges Presently on Division I

Susan R. Agid	(206) 464-6047
Marlin J. Appelwick	(206) 389-3926
Mary Kay Becker	(206) 464-7656
Ronald E. Cox	(206) 464-7654
Stephen J. Dwyer	(206) 464-7658
Anne L. Ellington	(206) 464-6046
Linda Lau	(206) 464-7657
J. Robert Leach	(206) 464-7423
C. Kenneth Grosse	(206) 464-7655
Ann Schindler	(206) 464-7659