Job Title: Staff Attorney
Reports To: Executive Director
Type: Part-Time (25 hours), Hybrid/In-Person
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Hours: Monday – Friday, a flexible schedule with occasional evening and weekend hours required for clinics and initiatives.
Pay Range: $52,200
Benefits: Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays, Health Insurance
Location: Bellingham, WA
The Organization: LAW Advocates is a non-profit legal services provider. The mission of LAW Advocates is to provide free civil legal assistance to low-income Whatcom County residents by linking them with attorneys and community volunteers.
Summary of Job: The Part-Time Staff Attorney will provide civil legal assistance to low-income residents, primary focus on supporting Lummi Tribal Legal Clinic. Approximately 80% of their time will be dedicated to providing direct representation, collaborating with tribal partners, and supporting the biweekly clinic. The remaining time will involve assisting the Domestic Violence Parenting Clinic and contributing to other organizational legal matters as needed. This role is ideal for an attorney committed to social justice, community partnerships, and culturally responsive legal advocacy.
Essential Functions and Duties include but are not limited to:
Clinic Operations and Community Outreach
- Conduct legal intakes, assess legal needs, and provide legal advice or limited-scope representation to ensure efficient access to legal services.
- Maintain accurate client records and case documentation for legal compliance and to assist pro bono attorneys with case continuity.
- Support and mentor pro bono attorneys participating in clinic services including providing legal guidance and developing training materials.
- Engage in community legal education, attend outreach and stakeholder meetings, and represent the organization in community partnerships and collaborations.
- Stay informed about relevant legal developments at the tribal, state, and federal levels affecting clinic services.
Lummi Tribe Legal Clinics and Domestic Violence Parenting Clinic
- Provide direct legal assistance to clients at the Tribal Legal Clinic and Domestic Violence Parenting Clinic, including legal advice, brief services, and representation as needed.
- Collaborate with tribal agencies, domestic violence service providers, and volunteer attorneys to ensure a coordinated and culturally responsive approach to addressing legal needs.
- Support domestic violence survivors in family law matters, such as parenting plans, domestic violence protection orders, and dissolutions.
- Foster a compassionate and safe environment for clients and volunteer attorneys to support their work with trauma survivors.
Qualifications
- Licensed to practice law and in good standing in Washington State (or ability to obtain licensure promptly)
- Experience working with tribal communities and Indigenous clients, or knowledge of tribal law preferred.
- Background in family law, domestic violence advocacy, or public interest law a plus.
- Strong commitment to accessing justice and serving marginalized populations.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including tribal leaders, legal professionals, and service providers.
- Experience with trauma-informed legal practice and cultural humility.
- Excellent communication, legal writing, and organizational skills.
- Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle and proof of insurance required.
- Ability to travel within Washington state with a focus on Whatcom County.
- Ability to attend in-person team meetings.
- Conversational Spanish proficiency is strongly preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
- Ability to use close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.
- Regularly required to listen to others and provide verbal feedback.
- Required to sit for extended periods of time.
- Frequently required to stand, walk, climb, or balance.
- Frequently working in a medium noise level environment with exposure to indoor heat and cold.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
LAW Advocates is organizationally committed to advancing racial equity and incorporating equity and inclusion in its community engagement, program delivery, internal systems and work environment. LAW Advocates expects all staff to incorporate racial equity into their work and approach their role with a desire to learn and grow in this area.
To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and proof of passing bar or obtaining soon.
