Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services
Serving Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Lewis Counties PO Box 405 Olympia, WA 98507 • 360-705-8194
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
POSITION TITLE: Equal Justice and Family Law Attorney
COMPENSATION: This position is up to 35 hours per week with a salary based on a starting rate of $35/hour plus vacation and sick leave. Full time
employees are eligible for a $300 health stipend.
RECRUITMENT: This position is open until filled. First review of applications will be December 27, 2021. Required materials are described below.
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services (TCVLS) promotes access to justice through the coordinated efforts of trained volunteers, staff attorneys and community partners. Our core mission is to enable low-income clients to resolve their civil legal problems through legal advice, information, and direct representation in a manner sensitive to individuals and their legal needs. Pro bono services are provided through advice and brief service clinics, unbundled legal services, and full direct representation.
TCVLS is committed to race equity and justice. We want our employees to be diverse and reflect our community. We strive to have services and programs that are free from bias and oppression and staff and volunteers that treat everyone with dignity and respect. More information about what it means to commit to these principles referred to as “REJI” can be found here: Washington Race Equity & Justice Initiative – WA REJI
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Equal Justice and Family Law Attorney (EJ Attorney) works under the direction of the TCVLS Executive Director. A staff attorney working full-time is exempt from overtime pay. Day to-day supervision is provided by our Managing Attorney. The EJ Attorney position is funded with grants some of which are ongoing and some of which are time limited.
The EJ Attorney role is to supplement the operations of TCVLS and its programs. In no way is it intended to diminish the vital role volunteer attorneys play in the delivery of pro bono legal aid in our community.
The primary function of the EJ Attorney is to advise and/or represent low-income clients who are survivors of domestic violence and who need assistance with protection orders, parenting plans or divorce. While the attorney may be assigned cases in any of our five
counties, it is expected that most of the cases will be from Grays Harbor and Mason Counties (because of funding).
As time permits, this position will also:
• Coordinate the TCVLS pro bono direct representation initiative, which includes client eligibility determination, case assessment for the depth and breadth of legal assistance needed, recruitment of and referral to pro bono attorneys, and on-going support for participating pro bono attorneys.
• Actively participate on behalf of TCVLS with the Thurston, Mason, and Grays Harbor Bar Associations and other attorney affinity groups, task forces, and coalitions as opportunities arise.
• Identify the need for, lead and/or coordinate CLEs and other trainings to ensure volunteers are well prepared to represent TCVLS clients.
• Supervise paralegal students and other legal professionals who follow-up with clients from legal advice clinics.
This position may be full time or part-time depending on grant funding. At a minimum, 20 hours per week is required. Full-time is considered 35 hours per week. Vacation and sick leave are provided. Full time employees (35 hours per week) are eligible for a monthly health stipend. Some evening and weekend work may be required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
• Member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association; • Minimum of three years’ experience practicing law preferred; and,
• Experience in civil legal procedures with emphasis in family law.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to the principles of Access to Justice and the Race Equity Justice Initiative (REJI);
• Demonstrated issue identification and problem solving skills;
• Ability to work a nontraditional schedule, including occasional evening and weekend hours; • Ability to communicate effectively in English (interpreters are available to communicate with clients who do not speak English);
• Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to work with persons of diverse ages, abilities, races, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual preferences;
• Strong and effective communication skills (both written and oral) and demonstrated capacity to relate to clients, attorneys, legal professionals, colleagues within the organization, the courts, etc;
• Understanding of and demonstrated compliance with the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with staff, volunteers, board members, and community partners;
• Willingness and ability to supervise paralegals and Rule 9 law student interns; • Strong organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to track and analyze data and produce written and verbal reports and presentations; • Basic knowledge of and ability to use the technological resources available in the courts and justice system in Washington State (JIS, Odyssey, etc);
• Ability to transfer handwritten information into client database;
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, Google Suite, Power Point and Outlook;
• Working knowledge of standard office procedures and technologies (telephone, computer, printer, copier, scanner); and,
• A valid Washington driver’s license and automobile insurance. EJ Attorney must provide own transportation in service delivery area.
Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Experience in the practice of family law;
• Experience providing pro bono legal services;
• Experience delegating work to paralegals, student interns, and other legal professionals; • Experience training and supervising paralegal volunteers, student interns, and other legal professional volunteers; and,
• Familiarity with the Legal Server case management system.
HOW TO APPLY: This position is open until filled. First review of applications will be Monday, December 27th. Application packets will be reviewed for completeness. A complete application packet is required to contain a cover letter, a resume that reflects the required education and experience, and a list of three references (please include phone numbers).
Application packets can be mailed or e-mailed to:
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services
P.O. Box 405
Olympia, WA 98507-0405
or
director@nulltcvls.org
TCVLS is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. TCVLS staff and its Board of Directors believe in the power of diversity and are committed to building a culturally inclusive team.