What are the responsibilities and job description for the Review and Filing / Trial Team Unit Supervisor (Assistant City Attorney) | Criminal Division position at Seattle City Attorney's Office?
Position Description
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 is seeking an experienced prosecutor to serve as Section Supervisor of the Review and Filing Team Unit, which will soon be joined with the Trial Team Unit as the office moves to a vertical prosecution model. This position will have overall responsibility for the operation and management of a team of Assistant City Prosecutors and will have the opportunity to serve as a formative leader in the transition of the unit to a vertical trial team. Initially, the position will lead the Review and Filing Unit and then transition to Supervisor of the additional Trial Team Unit once the move to vertical prosecution is complete. Additionally, this position will be part of the Criminal Division’s Senior Management Team and interface with the Seattle Municipal Court and other criminal justice stakeholders.
This position reports directly to the Criminal Division Chief.
Job Responsibilities
Required Qualifications
Application Process – For your application to be accepted you must:
Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. We seek individuals who will work toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.
Compensation – Salaries of Assistant City Attorneys in the Civil Division of the Seattle City Attorney's Office are based on years of relevant legal experience. For example, the 2026 annual salary is $128,733.22 for someone with up to one year of experience, $178,087.50 for someone with ten years of experience, and $200,955.65 for someone with at least 20 years of experience. The full salary range for this position is $61.65 - $99.22 per hour. Salaries are not subject to negotiation. Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.
Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Additional benefits include executive leave, and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.
Workplace Environment – Currently, the Seattle City Attorney's Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.
Background Check Requirements – All positions are security sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information on good conduct and rehabilitation.
Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.
The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.
Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.
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 is seeking an experienced prosecutor to serve as Section Supervisor of the Review and Filing Team Unit, which will soon be joined with the Trial Team Unit as the office moves to a vertical prosecution model. This position will have overall responsibility for the operation and management of a team of Assistant City Prosecutors and will have the opportunity to serve as a formative leader in the transition of the unit to a vertical trial team. Initially, the position will lead the Review and Filing Unit and then transition to Supervisor of the additional Trial Team Unit once the move to vertical prosecution is complete. Additionally, this position will be part of the Criminal Division’s Senior Management Team and interface with the Seattle Municipal Court and other criminal justice stakeholders.
This position reports directly to the Criminal Division Chief.
Job Responsibilities
- Supervise and train a team of filing and eventual trial prosecutors dealing with misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases in Seattle Municipal Court.
- Supervise and mentor team leads and all members of the unit in every aspect of pre-trial and trial practice, including high-volume motions practice.
- Monthly review of data consisting of individual team members' performance, to ensure consistency in the unit. Deliver constructive feedback and coaching in a timely manner to improve trial performance and delivery.
- Draft, modify, implement, and execute team unit policies, procedures, training, and filing and disposition standards.
- Review and approve non-standard filing and disposition decisions.
- Conduct weekly case staffing meetings to review cases, develop case strategies, and allocate additional resources to higher-risk cases for upcoming trials.
- Manages a reduced trial caseload, including investigating, preparing, and prosecuting cases in SMC.
- Prepare schedules for attorney coverage of court calendars, review and assign cases set for motions or trials, and assign out-of-custody cases for filing decisions. Assist with court calendars when needed.
- Prepare written evaluations for the team.
- Participate in employee hiring interviews and new-employee orientations as directed.
- Respond to inquiries and complaints from the public, the media, and other city agencies.
- Coordinate with SCAO public disclosure attorneys to respond to Public Records Act requests.
- Represent the Criminal Division in cross-agency efforts, workgroups, and committees involving public safety issues.
- Collaborate with SMC, SMC Probation, and defense agencies to maintain functions of misdemeanor prosecutions.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- 3 years of general prosecution experience within the SCAO Criminal Division, or the equivalent in another jurisdiction.
- Demonstrated experience in the core competencies or criminal prosecution, including review and filing decisions, motions practice, trial practice, negotiations, pleas, and review hearings.
- Demonstrated ability to provide training, mentorship, and professional development.
- Specialist-level knowledge and skills in trial advocacy and case development (investigation, witness interviews, and filing charges)
- Experience working with crime victims and witnesses, including expert witnesses.
- Experience working with law enforcement.
- Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise attorneys with a wide range of experience, including many attorneys with no criminal law experience.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively and develop strong relationships with the Court, opposing counsel, law enforcement, community members, and other partner organizations.
Application Process – For your application to be accepted you must:
- Complete the online City of Seattle Application
- https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle
- Include the following required attachments (.pdf, .doc, or .docx format):
- Cover Letter describing your interest in the position.
- Resume detailing your relevant experience.
- Attach a legal writing sample that is 5-15 pages in length. This can be an excerpt from a larger sample.
Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. We seek individuals who will work toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.
Compensation – Salaries of Assistant City Attorneys in the Civil Division of the Seattle City Attorney's Office are based on years of relevant legal experience. For example, the 2026 annual salary is $128,733.22 for someone with up to one year of experience, $178,087.50 for someone with ten years of experience, and $200,955.65 for someone with at least 20 years of experience. The full salary range for this position is $61.65 - $99.22 per hour. Salaries are not subject to negotiation. Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.
Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Additional benefits include executive leave, and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.
Workplace Environment – Currently, the Seattle City Attorney's Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.
Background Check Requirements – All positions are security sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information on good conduct and rehabilitation.
Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.
The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.
Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.
Salary : $128,733 - $200,956