Staff Attorney - Working Families Project, Yakima or Wenatchee, WA

Program Description
For many years, Columbia Legal Services (CLS) has represented communities facing poverty and oppression, and we use every legal tool available on their behalf. CLS has a special responsibility to serve people whose access to free legal services is restricted, due to institutionalized or immigration status. Through impact litigation, policy reform, and innovative partnerships, our staff works together to further our mission to achieve social and economic justice for all, and to reveal and end actions that harm the communities we serve. We share a deep commitment to serve and advocate alongside our clients as we seek justice together. Our vision of justice: when people have the necessary tools and opportunity to achieve social and economic justice, a more equitable and inclusive society is possible. The ideal candidate for any position at Columbia Legal Services will be able to articulate their role in the achievement of that vision.
Position
Columbia Legal Services seeks a full-time Staff Attorney to work in our Wenatchee or Yakima office. The Attorney will engage in systemic, multi-forum legal advocacy to dismantle the structures that perpetuate poverty, racism, and other injustices in Washington. This position will focus primarily on advancing legal protections for farm workers and immigrants in our rural communities, including employment, civil rights, and access to equal opportunities.
Responsibilities:
 Work with a team of attorneys and legal workers on complex trial and appellate litigation, class actions, and legislative advocacy.
 Creatively investigate and identify practices and laws that adversely affect the rights of, or diminish benefits for, our client populations and communities (which include undocumented workers and families and persons in institutions, such as jails, prisons, and detention facilities), and devise creative strategies for addressing these problems.
 Assist with the development of campaigns and strategies to advance the goals of our organization.
 Coordinate with community groups, other advocacy groups, legal services organizations, and the private bar to identify opportunities and execute strategies to advance the law for our client populations and communities.
 Be available to travel occasionally around the state and work flexible hours.
Qualifications
 Bilingual skills in Spanish/English are required.
 Law degree and license to practice in Washington, or ability to take next Washington bar exam.
 Lived or other demonstrated meaningful and sustained experience with people living in poverty, persons of color, immigrant, or indigenous communities.
 Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative, practical, systemic solutions.
 Demonstrated initiative and creativity, including ability to master new legal areas, operate at a high advocacy level, and consider multi-forum advocacy approaches.
 Commitment to tackling, exposing and dismantling all forms of structural bias and oppression.
Employment Opportunity
Staff Attorney
Wenatchee or Yakima, WA
 Excellent written and oral communication, research, negotiation, and analytical skills; superior attention to detail.
 Ability to work well independently and on a team, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines on time-sensitive projects.
 Experience in complex litigation or appellate advocacy is a plus.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.
Compensation
CLS offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation package including generous holiday and paid time off, excellent employee health care benefits, paid parental leave, and a sabbatical every 7 years. Salary is commensurate with years of experience, is based on a salary scale governed by a collective bargaining agreement, and includes an annual cost-of-living adjustment. Currently, salaries for an attorney without prior experience is $51,410. For example, the salary for an attorney with 5 years of experience is $64,783, and the salary for an attorney with 10 years of experience is $74,730.
Applications
Position is open until filled. Please note that due to the volume of applications received, CLS is unable to respond to every application. CLS will contact you if we decide to pursue your application. If e-mailed, please make Yakima-Wenatchee Staff Attorney your subject line. If you are interested in this position, send a cover letter, resume, a short (5-10 pages) writing sample and the completed Equity Statement to [email protected] or to:
Michelle Majors, Resource & Equity Director
Columbia Legal Services
101 Yesler Way, Suite 300
Seattle, Washington 98104

Program Policy

Columbia Legal Services is committed to a policy of pluralism and equal opportunity in an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices for its client communities, Board, and staff. Pluralism refers to the active promotion of mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity among people who are diverse in work background, experience, education, race, color, national origin, sex, age, religious preference, marital status, sexual orientation, sensory, mental and physical abilities, veteran status, or any other perceived differences. The resulting diversity is both a source of program strength and a matter of fundamental human fairness. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application process, contact Trisa Kern at [email protected].