Externship Items | Thurston County Superior Court - Judge James Dixon

Externship Description

Thurston County Superior Court is a dynamic court of general jurisdiction. We are located in the beautiful state capitol, giving us original jurisdiction over a great variety of matters of public significance, including election law, environmental law, Public Records Act cases, labor law, and administrative appeals. The extern will work directly with judges and the court’s staff attorney to perform independent research and write memoranda on cases before the court and on court policy. The extern will also observe the judicial process, orally advise judges, gain insight into the exercise of judicial discretion, and learn litigation skills. Instead of working for only one judge, as most judicial externships provide, the extern will have the opportunity to work directly with several judges. This can teach invaluable lessons about judicial philosophy, as well as inform future practice because excellent attorneys adapt to the judge they appear before and think critically about different judges’ possible perspectives on the case. The extern will also have the opportunity to attend oral argument at the Washington State Supreme Court and meet numerous members of the local bar if he or she is interested in doing so.

**The writing sample should be five pages or less and written and edited entirely by the student with no assistance. If necessary to provide clarity, the applicant can include a short synopsis of the issues.