Staff Attorney, Family Law/Civil Protection

Job Title: Staff Attorney, Family Law/Civil Protection
Job Type: Full-time, this position is in-person with schedule flexibility
Salary & Benefits: Salary starting at $65,000 DOE (grant funded), medical, dental, and vision available

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Start Date: Immediately

Overview

Snohomish County Legal Services, a legal aid organization serving low-income residents of Snohomish County, has an opening for a Staff Attorney in its Family Law and Civil Protection Orders Program. This is a full-time position requiring some local travel.

Our values

We value diversity and strive to hire a workforce that reflects the community that we serve. It is essential to our mission that we create and maintain an office that is diverse and inclusive. All staff, Board, and volunteers are expected to uphold these commitments and approach their role with a desire to learn and grow in this area.

Job Description

The Family Law/Civil Projection Orders ("FL/CPO") Staff Attorney will work with low-income clients facing family law (e.g., divorce, child custody, minor guardianship) and civil protection order issues. This includes, but is not limited to, triage, legal consultations, brief services, and limited representation. The attorney will have opportunities to contribute to policy initiatives as they arise.

Position Mission

The primary focus of this position will be providing pro-se assistance and limited representation in family law matters, as well as appointed counsel work in civil protection order cases. This work includes but is not limited to domestic violence/unlawful harassment, filing and responding to domestic motions, temporary family law orders, contempt, and other issues involving custody, child support, maintenance, asset division, etc. The Staff Attorney is also expected to represent the agency at coordinating and networking meetings involving family law and domestic violence issues and perform community outreach and education.

Primary Responsibilities

• Staff and manage family law legal clinics;
• Evaluate the needs of and advise low-income clients through in-depth interviews and analysis of documents to identify legal issues;
• Utilize fact-gathering methods, such as reviewing court documents, analyzing evidence, and consulting third parties, to assess client needs;
• Provide trauma-informed legal assistance to clients in urgent and emergent situations, including brief services, document review/preparation, direct representation, and systems navigation;
• Understand and be able to advise clients on the intersections and impacts of family law/domestic violence and other areas of law, e.g., immigration, criminal, housing, and child welfare;
• Prepare pleadings and other necessary paperwork for cases selected for representation;
• Develop training and materials for and supervise and mentor law student interns and volunteers;
• Attend and participate in internal and external meetings;
• Assist in the recruitment of attorneys (volunteers) for family law cases and preparation of associated training materials;
• Assist in the development of model pleadings and legal memoranda for pro se use;
• Maintain professionalism and strict adherence to the Rules of Professional Conduct;
• Perform other duties as directed by the Executive Director or Managing Attorney

Administration

• Complete and input case data into legal case management system - LegalServer;
• Prepare reports, data, articles, and communications for internal and external community distribution;
• Meet monthly metrics, timekeeping and case administration and management, as defined by various grants

Outreach and Collaboration

• Update community resources for client use and distribution;
• Conduct outreach and presentations to underserved communities throughout Snohomish County;
• Work with other SCLS departments and community partners and social service agencies to refer cases for holistic service delivery;
• Works with other legal services providers in the community to develop and implement outreach efforts to community groups, agencies, and related audiences;
• Represents SCLS at coordinating and networking meetings;
• Stay up-to-date on local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and case precedents to ensure accurate and effective legal assistance to clients;
• Engage with the community, stakeholders, and advocacy organizations, raising awareness about housing issues and collaborating on systemic change and coordinated delivery of services;
• Perform community outreach, presentations, and other educational opportunities

Qualifications Admission to the Washington State Bar with good standing. Experience in family law and working with survivors of domestic violence is beneficial, but not necessary. Understanding and empathy with the experience and problems of the poor, particularly an interest in social justice. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

Job Parameters

• Schedule: Full Time (40 hours per week); Shift: Day (Monday-Friday) with minimal evenings (for legal clinics or events) as required;
• Work is performed in an office environment. This position is in person, at our office in downtown Everett, limited ability to work remotely;
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or reasonable accommodation is required;

Physical Requirements The physical demands described above are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time; interact with computer screens and manipulate essential computer components (i.e., mouse and keyboard). Mobility around the office, and abilities to bend/stoop, push/pull, and perform unassisted lifting consistent with the job duties are required.

Compensation & Benefits Salary is based upon years of experience, with an annual salary range starting at $65,000. In addition, we offer accrued Washington State sick leave, accrued vacation time and paid holidays, medical, dental and vision options (for full-time employees). Parking reimbursement and some professional training and dues may be covered.

Reasonable Accommodation Persons with disabilities may request special accommodations to participate in a selection process or to perform work once hired. Requests for accommodations should be made as soon as possible. This may be done by a written letter or an appropriate alternative format to our offices, or by calling 425-258-9283.

Equal Opportunity Employment As an equal opportunity employer, SCLS is committed to upholding an equity and justice-based organizational environment for the public, the client communities it serves, its members, its Boards, its staff and its volunteers. This means the organization actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork, and productivity among people who are diverse in work background; lived and professional experience; immigration status and citizenship; education; race and ethnicity; national origin; sexual orientation; age; indigenous group membership; religious preference; marital status; sensory, mental, and physical abilities; social class; gender identity; veteran status, as well as other differences relevant to equity and justice. SCLS actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity. The resulting diversity is both a source of organizational strength and a matter of fundamental human fairness.

To Apply For consideration, submit a letter of interest, resume, and 3 professional references to careers@snocolegal.org. For additional information please send an email to the same address.

Ability to commute/relocate: Everett, WA 98201: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person