Northwest Justice Project Staff Attorney – Crime Victims – Olympia

Job Details:
Level: Undisclosed
Job Location: Olympia Office – Olympia, WA
Remote Type: N/A
Position Type: Undisclosed
Education Level: Undisclosed
Salary Range: Undisclosed
Travel Percentage: Undisclosed
Job Shift: Undisclosed
Job Category: Undisclosed

Description:

Northwest Justice Project (NJP) seeks applications from qualified attorneys to work to address the civil legal needs of NJP clients who are crime victims in Thurston, Mason, and Lewis counties. This position will involve a significant commitment to representing victims of crimes against the person and economic crimes, particularly those involving exploitation. The position may also involve civil litigation in housing, consumer protection, public benefits, health care access and other collateral consequences of crime victimization.

NJP requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.  Providing proof of COVID-19 vaccine is a condition of employment.  Exemptions based on medical and sincerely held religious beliefs may be requested per NJP’s EEO employer policy. 

This position is one of several assigned to NJP general field service offices throughout the state. In conjunction with other NJP field staff lawyers, the Olympia VOCA attorney will provide a full-range of civil legal assistance and representation to crime victims with high priority collateral civil legal needs. This range will include advice and brief services, negotiation, representation in court and administrative litigation, and other legal matters as office needs and resources allow.

The position will work as part of a larger team within NJP and will collaborate as part of a broader team of attorneys serving within the Washington Alliance for Equal Justice.  Applicants should have a desire to work with crime victims and with the agencies that serve them. The lawyer will identify, conduct outreach to, and collaborate closely with victim and other services agencies, law enforcement and others to identify and address the most pressing legal needs of crime victims in the region.   VOCA related work undertaken by the Olympia office is primarily family law litigation (e.g. protection orders, parenting plans involving domestic violence), but has also included victim housing and privacy rights, and similar civil litigation.

GENERAL JOB DUTIES:

  • Initiate and defend civil litigation on behalf of crime victims.
  • Work collaboratively with others to identify and address the most important problems that affect victims, their families, and their communities.
  • Engage with clients and victim services providers to identify and seek individualized and systemic solutions to institutional barriers to preventing and addressing the adverse consequences of victimization, protecting and preserving access to basic needs, such as housing, income, and security.
  • Train victim services providers to spot legal issues and refer appropriate cases.
  • Identify and engage with persons and groups that experience special barriers to accessing civil legal services, including immigrants, limited English speaking persons, seniors, veterans, children, and people with disabilities.
  • Engage with prosecutors, U.S. Attorneys, and assistant attorneys general to identify exploitation cases for co-counseling or cross-referral.
  • Engage with law enforcement, first responders, and mandatory reporters to develop identification and referral criteria for economic crimes.
  • Develop collaborative working relationships with a statewide network of advocates addressing similar and related issues throughout the state; participate in advocacy task forces or work groups to address systemic issues that arise in the context of crime victimization.
  • Utilize NJP’s case management and timekeeping systems and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and reporting needs.
  • Help identify and develop on-line resources for use by attorneys and/or unrepresented litigants on crime victim rights and consequential legal impacts arising from being a victim of crime. 
  • Support the work of NJP partners including the volunteer lawyers, private attorneys, other legal aid providers and interested parties and organizations addressing the legal needs of crime victims.

NJP has an organizational commitment to fight racism and to incorporate equity and inclusion in both the work we do and work environment we create.   All staff are expected to uphold this commitment and approach their role with a desire to learn and grow in this area.Qualifications

  • Member of the Washington Bar, licensed in a state bar to which Washington could grant reciprocity or willing and able to take next bar is required
  • 3 years of legal experience in a legal aid or comparable practice, and in particular experience with and desire to practice family law, strongly preferred
  • Experience in, or a desire to learn, all aspects of civil litigation, including case planning, investigation, research, pleading, motions, hearings, trials and appeals. 
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Attention to detail and willingness to develop and maintain systems to facilitate grant reporting and compliance requirements
  • Able to develop and implement systems for case processing (e.g. referral, case triage and follow-up)
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners, client communities, law enforcement, health care providers, guardians, case managers, and others
  • Cultural competency; especially with immigrants, crime victims, people with disabilities, limited English proficient persons, and seniors
  • Knowledge or demonstrated interest in geographic service area of the Olympia office, and willingness to travel throughout that area.
  • Proficiency in Spanish or any other language spoken by limited English communities in the Olympia office’s service area (e.g. Vietnamese, Chinese languages such as Cantonese or Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog, Cambodian) a plus but not required.

Compensation:  Starting salary is based upon years of experience, with an annual salary range of $64,751 to $121,022. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes 100% paid employee health premiums and significant premium shares for family health premiums, as well as generous time off. 

Hours of work: NJP’s typical client office hours are 9:00 – 5:00, Monday through Friday. Attorney positions are exempt and those in the position are expected to work the hours needed to meet the professional responsibilities. 

Application deadline: Open through January 7, 2022.

NJP is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. NJP actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity. NJP is committed to maintaining an organization whose staff, Board and clients are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious preference, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sensory, mental or physical abilities, veteran status, and other qualities that strengthen the program while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness. People of color, people who identify as transgender, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process or for more information about the project should contact the Human Resources Department by calling (206) 464-1519.  

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