Washington Legal Resources
Comprehensive guide to legal services, courts, bar associations, law schools, and legal aid throughout Washington
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ABA-Accredited Law Schools
State Bar & Attorney Resources
The Washington State Bar Association is the professional organization regulating all licensed attorneys in Washington and provides comprehensive resources for legal professionals and the public.
Bar Associations
Attorney General
Attorneys by Practice Area
Courts & Judicial System
Washington has a three-level court system: the Washington Supreme Court (highest court with 9 justices), Court of Appeals (3 divisions), and Superior Courts (trial courts in all 39 counties).
Washington Supreme Court (Court of Last Resort)
- Washington Supreme Court - The highest court in the state with 9 justices elected to six-year terms
- Jurisdiction: Discretionary jurisdiction, selects which cases to hear from Court of Appeals decisions
- Location: Based at the Temple of Justice at Washington State Capitol in Olympia
Court of Appeals (Intermediate Appellate)
- Washington Court of Appeals - Intermediate appellate court with mandatory jurisdiction over all civil and criminal appeals
- Three Divisions: Division I (Seattle), Division II (Tacoma), Division III (Spokane)
- Judges: Elected judges serving six-year terms
- Jurisdiction: Must hear all properly filed civil and criminal appeals
Superior Courts (Trial Courts)
- 39 Superior Courts - One court of general jurisdiction in each of Washington's 39 counties
- Jurisdiction: Handles serious felony criminal cases, civil cases, family law, probate, and appeals from lower courts
- Judges: Elected judges serving four-year terms
District & Municipal Courts (Limited Jurisdiction)
- State District Courts - One in each county handling traffic infractions, misdemeanors, criminal traffic citations, civil cases under $100,000, and small claims
- Municipal Courts - City courts handling traffic violations and local ordinances (cannot hear civil cases)
- Jurisdiction: Limited jurisdiction over minor criminal and civil matters
Federal Courts
- Courts in the US - Comprehensive guide to federal courts and their jurisdiction in Washington
Legal Aid Organizations
Washington has multiple legal aid organizations providing free civil legal services to low-income residents and families:
Coverage: Statewide Washington
Services: Free legal assistance to eligible low-income families and individuals with civil legal problems
Application: Apply online for free legal help
Get Legal Help
Service Area: Benton, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, and Yakima counties
Services: Free legal advice and representation through staff and volunteer attorneys
Location: Based in Yakima
Visit Organization
Service Area: Multiple Washington regions
Services: Comprehensive civil legal services to low-income residents
Focus: Housing, family law, consumer issues, and economic justice
Visit Columbia Legal
Function: Connects low-income clients with civil legal aid services across Washington State
Services: Pro bono legal assistance networks
Visit Council
Online Legal Resources
- Washington Law Help - Directory and guide to finding legal help in Washington
- Self-Help Washington - Accessible resources to help people without lawyers navigate Washington Courts
- 2-1-1 - Free confidential service connecting you to local services including legal referrals
Law Schools
Washington is home to 3 ABA-accredited law schools offering comprehensive legal education programs:
ABA-Accredited Law Schools
- University of Washington School of Law (Seattle) - Public law school ranked #50 nationally, located at main campus with William H. Gates Hall
- Seattle University School of Law (Seattle) - Private law school in Seattle metropolitan area
- Gonzaga University School of Law (Spokane) - Only Washington law school located outside Seattle, founded 1912
University of Washington School of Law - Key Facts
- Ranking: #50 (tie) in Best Law Schools according to U.S. News
- Accreditation: Fully accredited by ABA, member of Association of American Law Schools since 1909
- Location: Northwest corner of main UW campus, William H. Gates Hall (completed 2003)
- Programs: Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.), Ph.D. degrees
- Tuition: Full-time in-state $44,844, full-time out-of-state $56,691
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 6.3:1
Gonzaga University School of Law - Key Facts
- Motto: "A First Class Law School, or None at All"
- Founded: October 1, 1912
- Location: Spokane, Washington - only Washington law school outside Seattle area
- Programs: Traditional Juris Doctor and Accelerated Two-Year JD program
- Traditions: Jesuit, Catholic traditions
- Bar Passage: Graduates averaged 75-100% passage rate on Washington Bar Exam
- Alumni: Practice in all 50 U.S. states and foreign countries
Law School Information
Legal Documents & Forms
Resources for creating, obtaining, and understanding legal documents:
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Legal Resources
The Washington State Bar Association maintains an attorney directory at wsba.org where you can search for licensed attorneys by name, location, and practice area. You can also contact the state bar directly for referrals.
Free legal help is available through Northwest Justice Project (NJP), Central Washington Legal Aid, Columbia Legal Services, and the Washington Pro Bono Council. You can also call 2-1-1 for legal referrals or visit Washington Law Help online.
Washington has three levels: the Supreme Court (9 justices, highest court), Court of Appeals (3 divisions in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane), and Superior Courts (one in each of 39 counties handling trial-level cases).
Washington has 3 ABA-accredited law schools: University of Washington School of Law (Seattle, ranked #50), Seattle University School of Law (Seattle), and Gonzaga University School of Law (Spokane).
The Washington Court of Appeals is an intermediate appellate court with three divisions: Division I in Seattle, Division II in Tacoma, and Division III in Spokane. The court has mandatory jurisdiction and must hear all properly filed civil and criminal appeals.
Washington has 39 Superior Courts, one in each of the state's 39 counties. These are courts of general jurisdiction handling serious criminal and civil cases, family law, probate, and appeals from lower courts.
State District Courts (one per county) handle traffic infractions, misdemeanors, civil cases under $100,000, and small claims. Municipal Courts (city courts) handle traffic violations and local ordinances but cannot hear civil lawsuits.
Gonzaga University School of Law is located in Spokane, Washington and was founded in 1912. It is the only Washington law school located outside the Seattle area and offers traditional and accelerated two-year Juris Doctor programs with Jesuit, Catholic traditions.
Northwest Justice Project provides legal assistance to eligible low-income families and individuals throughout Washington with civil legal problems. You can apply online for free legal help through their website.
The Washington Attorney General is the chief law officer of Washington, handling consumer protection, state litigation, and law enforcement coordination. The office can be reached at atg.wa.gov.
Legal News & Additional Resources