BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON
GENERAL COUNSEL
Position Description
The BIAW General Counsel serves as the Association’s attorney. Providing the essential activities for the Association and possessing all the key competencies, the General Counsel reports to the Executive Vice President and works in collaboration with the key staff to provide legal support to the association and its membership.
Essential Activities
- Serve as Association’s attorney; research and anticipate unique legal issues that could impact the Association; review contracts; manage internal policies; coordinate insurance.
- Serve as legislative counsel to the Association; draft and review bill language during session and interim; provide occasional oral and/or written testimony to committees of Washington State Legislature.
- Coordinate with and manage outside counsel for matters dealing with litigation involving the Association and amicus briefs with Association partners.
- Perform legal and general research and independently draft legal briefs, legal research memorandums and rule review memorandums; draft Amicus Briefs to submit to Court of Appeals and/or Supreme Court on issues of interest to the housing industry.
- Attend Association board and committee meetings, respond to technical and legal questions concerning issues before the committees; conduct legal research requested by the committees; serve as primary point of contact for Legal Committee and Bylaws & Nominations Committee.
- Plan and execute two meetings of the BIAW Legal Committee each year for CLE credit.
- Evaluate applications for legal assistance from members and other parties and make appropriate recommendations to the Executive Vice President and Association leadership.
- Respond to member calls on a variety of legal subjects (liens, contracts, employment issues, etc.); provide members with answers to general legal questions.
- Write articles on timely subjects for posting on the BIAW website and/or publications.
- Write and submit articles on builder-related issues in legal publication; utilize and promote BIAW Legal Committee members writing in publications.
Key Competencies
- Ability to rapidly develop sufficient subject-matter knowledge to provide accurate, useful, and understandable information and reliable legal advice.
- Ability to quickly process and distill information in order to provide advice to Association management, executive officers, Government Affairs Department, Communications Department, etc.
- Ability to work independently and with others; use good judgment in evaluating situations; maintain confidentiality; perform legal research thoroughly and efficiently.
- Highly developed ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with colleagues, lobbyists and association members.
Minimum Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school
- Must be admitted to practice as a member of the Washington State Bar
- 5 years legal experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience/knowledge of the legislative process
- Specific legal knowledge/experience in the following issue areas: land use; permitting; growth management; contracts; construction law; state regulation
Position Annual Salary Range
- $90,000 to $120,000
To apply, send resume, letter, and any supporting documents to:
Greg Lane, Executive Vice President
Building Industry Association of Washington
111 21st Avenue SW
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 352-7800
gregl@nullbiaw.com
Application Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Sep. 7.