TO THE WASHINGTON STATE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF LAW, GONZAGA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, SEATTLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, EACH COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE OF THIS STATE, EACH COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENSE OFFICE OF THIS STATE, THE WASHINGTON STATE OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENSE, THE WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT, THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS, THE WASHINGTON STATE OFFICE OF CIVIL LEGAL AID, THE WASHINGTON STATE BAR ASSOCIATION LICENSURE PATHWAYS STEERING COMMITTEE, AND THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, Legal education and practice opportunity programs provide law students with valuable hands-on legal experience under the supervision of licensed attorneys; and

WHEREAS, There is an increasing need for well-trained, practice-ready law school graduates to support the efficient administration of justice, particularly in prosecution and public defense offices; and

WHEREAS, Prosecuting attorney offices and public defense attorneys play a vital role in the criminal justice system and are in constant need of qualified legal professionals to assist in managing heavy caseloads; and

WHEREAS, Encouraging and expanding access to legal education and practice opportunity programs would provide law students with structured and immersive opportunities to develop essential litigation, research, and advocacy skills; and

WHEREAS, The legal profession as a whole benefits from increasing awareness of legal education and practice opportunity programs and ensuring students are adequately informed and prepared to pursue such program internships;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington state bar association, the law schools of the state of Washington, each county prosecutor's office of this state, each county public defense office of this state, the Washington state office of public defense, the Washington supreme court, the administrative office of the courts, the Washington state office of civil legal aid, the Washington state bar association licensure pathways steering committee, and the American bar association, work together to encourage and support legal education and practice opportunity programs, including:

(6) All other relevant legal education and practice opportunity programs offered by or promoted through the Washington state bar association.

Your Memorialists further respectfully pray that the recipients of this memorial work together to educate current and prospective law students regarding these programs, encourage application for and pursuit of such program internships, and provide students with the opportunity to work part time or full time throughout the final year of their legal education.

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of State to the Washington state bar association, the University of Washington school of law, Gonzaga University school of law, Seattle University school of law, each county prosecutor's office of this state, each county public defense office of this state, the Washington state office of public defense, the Washington supreme court, the administrative office of the courts, the Washington state office of civil legal aid, the Washington state bar association licensure pathways steering committee, and the American bar association.