Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services
Serving Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific,
and Lewis Counties
PO Box 405 Olympia, WA 98507 · 360- 705-8194
TCVLS IS RECRUITING FOR MULTIPLE STAFF ATTORNEY POSITIONS!!!
Areas of Practice: Individual and Family Safety
Housing Justice Project, Eviction Resolution Program
Housing Justice Project, Eviction Defense (Right to Counsel)
Equal Justice Staff Attorney
Full Time (35 hours per week), $32 per hour starting, health stipend and vacation/sick leave
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services (TCVLS) is a 501 (c) 3 organization that provides legal assistance to low-income individuals and families for a variety of civil legal proceedings. Trained volunteer attorneys help people self-represent by providing legal advice and consultation.
Occasionally we match clients with private attorneys for full representation. We also have paid staff attorneys who provide advice and direct representation to eligible clients primarily in family law and evictions. TCVLS provides legal services in Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific, and Lewis Counties.
Multiple staff attorney positions are available in a variety of subject areas:
Individual and Family Safety: Civil legal assistance to low-income individuals or families experiencing a threat to their safety or the safety of family members. Most often our clients are victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, and/or other crimes. Legal services will include advice and counsel, limited representation, brief services, and/or extended representation. Cases might be in any of the five-county jurisdictions. Funding for this position comes from various sources (including one specific to Grays Harbor residents) and is guaranteed through December 31, 2021 and may be extended beyond that date.
Eviction Resolution Program (ERP): ERP Staff Attorneys will work closely with other Housing Justice staff, contract attorneys, volunteers, and partner organizations including Northwest Justice Project and the Dispute Resolution Center(s) to assist tenants participating in the newly created Eviction Resolution Program. ERP helps tenants who have fallen behind on rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic reach repayment agreements with their landlords to avoid eviction. ERP Attorney services will primarily include providing advice and counsel to tenants to inform them of their rights and responsibilities and the impacts of a repayment agreement. The attorney may negotiate with landlords and landlords’ attorneys to aid tenants in reaching reasonable payment plans that will allow them to remain in their homes. Funding for this position is guaranteed through December 31, 2021 and may be extended beyond that date.
Eviction Defense/Right to Counsel (RTC) (multiple positions available): Eviction Defense Staff Attorneys will work closely with other Housing Justice staff, contract attorneys, volunteers, and partner organizations including Northwest Justice Project to provide representation for low-income tenants in Unlawful Detainer (eviction) proceedings primarily in Thurston, Mason, and Lewis Counties, with a limited number of cases in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. Scope of service will extend through the conclusion of the case, whether through settlement, or court decision at the show-cause stage, or trial. These positions are funded through the Office of Civil Legal Aid and are expected to be permanent.
Equal Justice Staff Attorney: The EJ Attorney is also a permanent position and coordinates the TCVLS pro bono direct representation initiative (recruiting private attorneys to provide pro bono representation for eligible cases). This position also coordinates the Continuing Legal Education series presented by TCVLS for its volunteers and other interested attorneys. This position also carries a small caseload of clients and manages the services provided under the Individual and Family Safety grant. As needed, this position may supervise other attorneys, paralegal and student volunteers and/or Rule 9 or other interns.
Full Position Descriptions will be available on our website: https://tcvls.org/category/jobs/
Qualifications:
Qualified applicants must be licensed and in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association. Qualified candidates will be able to demonstrate a commitment to working with low-income clients and individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, or individuals from historically marginalized and oppressed communities.
Three years’ experience practicing law in civil legal procedures (with emphasis in family law and/or residential landlord/tenant law) is required for the Equal Justice Staff Attorney position and is preferred but not required for the other positions.
Compensation:
- $32 per hour starting wage (35-hour work week)
- Health Stipend of $300 per month for full time employees
- Vacation and Sick Leave
This position requires daytime hours and some evening hours. All staff attorneys must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License, their own vehicle and automobile insurance. All staff attorneys are required to use a personal vehicle to drive for all work activities and must license his or her own vehicle.
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.