Staff Attorney

Location

PDA’s office is located at 110 Prefontaine Pl. S., Seattle, WA. Although the office remains open for necessary in-person work, staff currently work largely remotely. In-person work will be required if necessary to provide legal services. Travel within Washington may be required. In the future, PDA may adopt a hybrid model, where staff will work from home and from the office, as needed. At present, however, legal staff work primarily remotely.

Essential Job Qualification

(Any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience)

Education: J.D.

Licensure: Member, in good-standing, of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA); or ability to quickly obtain APR 8(c) admission, with full WSBA admission by May 2024.

Experience: Combination of criminal and civil practice experience desired; experience specifically with family law and/or dependency strongly preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Exceptional legal representation, research, oral and written advocacy skills;
• Demonstrated capacity for flexibility, creativity, and innovation, as well as the ability to work on tight and sometimes unpredictable timelines;
• The ability to issue spot, independently and efficiently learn new legal practice areas, and offer representation with a high level of competence;
• Demonstrated cultural competence and sensitivity in working with diverse clients, communities, and colleagues;
• Experience providing legal services to individuals who have difficulty consistently engaging in their own representation, including those with mental illness, substance use disorder, and other disabilities;
• Demonstrated commitment to partnership with non-attorney colleagues, with strong conflict management skills and the ability to tactfully engage with external partners.

Compensation

Salary range (2024) is $77,124-130,325, depending on comparable experience. Within the position salary range, salary increases 6% annually to the top of the scale (ten steps). An additional annual cost of living increase may be provided at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Benefits presently include:

• 401k match of up to 4% of salary, beginning after six months of employment;
• Annual additional profit-sharing contribution to 401k up to 2% at the discretion of the Board;
• Generous medical and dental benefits for employees and family members;
• 15 days vacation, accrued annually, increasing to 20 days vacation, accrued annually;
• 12 Sick Safe & Personal days, accrued annually;
• Unlimited ORCA card for staff who use public transportation for work; and
• Monthly $50 employer cell phone contribution or office cell phone.

This is a Fair Labor Standards Act exempt, at-will position; continuation in the position depends on both performance and funding. Employment may be terminated for any lawful reason including organizational business needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PDA is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. PDA actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity. PDA is committed to maintaining an organization whose staff, Board and clients are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious affiliation, marital status, sexual identity, sensory, mental or physical abilities, veteran status, and other qualities that strengthen the program while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness. People of color, women, those directly impacted by the criminal legal system, people who identify as queer, trans, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals needing reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact Skylar Brett (she/her pronouns) at Skylar.Brett @wearepda.org or 425-331-9018.

How to Apply

The position will remain open until filled. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Please submit the following to Zahra Al-Najaf (she/her pronouns) at zahra.al-najaf@wearepda.org:

• Letter of interest.
• Resumé.
• One legal writing sample, unedited by others.
• Names and contact information for three references.