Kristy,
I think if you visited NU, you may change your mind. NU is a spectacular school, and I am one of the biggest U-dub trolls around. NU will open up clerkships on the federal level, which is a great starting point for getting into politics later on. U-dub will not open up the same opportunities.
Firm work in Seattle will of course favor University of Washington graduates, but I highly doubt that a U-dub graduate will get a job over a NU graduate at any of the big Seattle frims (Perkins, Foster, etc.), but you hinted you didn't want these jobs anyway.
Public Interest is even more of a prestige game than firm jobs, and again, I think an NU grad will have an advantage even in Seattle. There are definitely more U-dub grads in Seattle, but that must be overwhelmingly due to self-selection from both schools.
At NU will are almost guaranteed a firm job after your 2nd year, which will help to reduce your debt. You don't have to take this firm job, but you can take the $2400 they pay you a week.
Finally, and most important (in my book), is the education. Granted NU gains and loses faculty members at a high rate, they will still have on average a higher caliber of teacher/scholar. Your fellow students will comprise a stronger student body, which will in turn push you to your limits.
In summary, I think the second you step foot in NU's law building you will be blown away.