Magistrate, Pro Tempore

The Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) is one of the highest volume Courts of Limited Jurisdiction in the State of Washington with seven elected judges, five appointed magistrates and over 200 employees. SMC is the judicial branch of government for the City of Seattle and is authorized by the State of Washington. The Court adjudicates all misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes, infractions, and civil violations authorized under the Seattle Municipal Code and certain Revised Code of Washington Statutes.

SMC is seeking an experienced attorney to join the Court as a Pro Tempore Judge/Magistrate to fill in during the absences of regular Judges and Magistrates, this is a Temp On
- Call position. A Pro Tempore Judge/Magistrate will serve in formal court as a judge pro tempore when an elected judge is unavailable. A Pro Tempore Judge/Magistrate rules on legal motions, decides the merits of cases, hears, and evaluates evidence and witness credibility and makes findings of facts and conclusions of law and may also conduct mitigation hearings and civil trials on contested infractions and settlement conferences.

The Pro Tempore Judge/Magistrate directly interacts with citizens and must ensure that each person is afforded a full and fair hearing.

You will be most successful in this role if you:

• Have completed Pro Tempore trainings provided by WSBA/DMCJA or King County
• Are able to maintain decorum in a courtroom
• Are a member of the Washington State Bar Association in good standing
• Are available to work an occasional Saturday/holiday and intermittently after-hours
• Are available on short notice to support judicial absences, including during peak scheduling periods or unexpected vacancies
• Are able to apply fair and equitable administration of the law while abiding by the Code of Judicial Conduct and applicable RCWs

• Conduct hearings on a wide variety of Seattle Municipal Code traffic violations, including those involving automobiles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
• Conduct hearings involving the public’s health and safety including animal control violations, zoning, fire and building code violations.

• Impose appropriate sanctions for violations.
• Serve in formal court as a judge pro tempore when needed. In such situations, the Pro Tempore Judge may preside over in-custody arraignments, pre-trial hearings, motions, criminal trials, and review hearings, as well as presiding over Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Courts.

• Must be an elector of the State of Washington and an attorney admitted to practice law before the courts of record in Washington State
• Graduate of law with a Bachelor of Law (LLB) or Juris Doctorate (JD) degree
• Five (5) years in the practice of law, including substantial criminal law experience
• Knowledge of the Rules of Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (CrRLJ)
• Knowledge of the Rules of Evidence (ER)
• Knowledge of the Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (IRLJ)

In accordance with HB 1112, effective July 27, 2025, the Seattle Municipal Code residency requirement has been removed. Judges pro tempore are no longer required to reside within the City of Seattle. Applicants must still be Washington State electors and licensed attorneys in good standing. The Court remains committed to equity and inclusion and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of city of residence.

• Possess diplomacy and objectivity in the fulfillment of all job duties.
• Ability to maintain decorum in a courtroom.
• Ability to apply fair and equitable administration of the law while providing good customer service.
• Ability to conduct court business in a manner that brings honor and respect to the organization.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff.
• Demonstrate a willingness to promote and explain court programs through speaking engagements at community and school events.

• Will have a Juris Doctorate (JD)
• Be a licensed attorney.
• Be a member of the Washington State Bar Association in good standing.
• Will have practiced law for at least five years.
• Available to work an occasional Saturday/holiday and…