MISSION
The King County Bar Association promotes and supports a diverse and collegial membership; works with the judiciary to achieve excellence, equity, and accessibility in the administration of justice; and benefits the community through public service and engagement in public policy.
The Housing Justice Project (HJP) is a homelessness prevention program providing accessible, volunteer-based legal services to low-income, residential tenants facing eviction in King County. Legal assistance is provided through counsel and advice, negotiated settlements, limited representation at Show Cause hearings, and/or referrals depending on tenants’ needs and financial eligibility.
POSITION MISSION
HJP is seeking an attorney to provide representation to tenants facing eviction throughout Washington State. In 2021, Washington became the first state to guarantee counsel to low-income tenants facing eviction. The attorney will represent tenants at eviction hearings and trials, assist accessing rental assistance, and work on revisions and appeals. The attorney will handle special assignments such as lock outs and other issues as needed. The attorney will have opportunities to contribute to policy initiatives as they arise. The attorney will also work at the HJP Helpdesk, which offers assistance to tenants accessing remote court appearances. The position is primarily remote, but may require some in-person meetings in King County and attendance at the HJP Helpdesk.
Due to the increased number of cases our office is experiencing, we are looking for experienced attorneys who can start in fall/winter 2022.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Advocacy:
- Direct client representation in eviction hearings, trials, appeals, revisions, and post judgment relief;
- Fast-paced motions practice and emergency applications to the court;
- Connecting tenants to financial help with HJP’s rental assistance team;
- Co-facilitate trainings and outreach with the HJP Community Engagement Manager;
- Staffing HJP Helpdesk at King County Courthouse (Seattle) and Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent);
- Appearing in court to connect qualifying and unrepresented tenants to their right to counsel;
- Staying current with relevant legislative and regulatory changes
Administrative and Supervisory:
- Proper indexing and case data input into Legal Server data management system;
- Prepare reports, data, articles, and communications both for internal and community distribution;
- Help develop training materials to provide guidance and support for fellow staff attorneys and other RTC programs;
- Participate in weekly case review
Desired Qualifications:
- Licensed to practice law and in good standing in Washington state;
- Experience with civil procedure, appellate practice, courtroom protocol, and rules of evidence;
- Experience and comfort with litigation;
- Experience in housing law and landlord-tenant law;
- Familiarity with affordable housing programs;
- Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to track and consistently meet deadlines;
- Demonstrated ability to train, supervise, and mentor volunteer attorneys and maintain quality program control;
- Demonstrated commitment to understanding and addressing issues facing low-income and vulnerable people;
- Strong communication skills and ability to motivate and lead;
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people;
- Demonstrated understanding of the impact of race, class, bias, discrimination, and differential treatment of communities disproportionately composed of Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQ or other sexual minorities, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, limited English speaking persons, and others who have been historically marginalized in rental housing markets and in the law and justice system;
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines;
- Ability to analyze information quickly and work well in a fast-paced environment;
- Creative problem solving;
- Proficiency with technology including MS Word, case management systems, Excel, and Outlook
About KCBA
Founded in 1886, KCBA is a membership legal organization with over 4,000 attorney members, over 60 staff members and an annual budget of $8,000,000. As a unionized workplace and an equal opportunity employer, KCBA is committed to upholding an equity and justice-based organizational environment for the public, the client communities it serves, its members, its Boards, its staff and its volunteers. This means the organization actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork, and productivity among people who are diverse in work background; lived and professional experience; immigration status and citizenship; education; race and ethnicity; national origin; sexual orientation; age; indigenous group membership; religious preference; marital status; sensory, mental, and physical abilities; social class; gender identity; veteran status, as well as other differences relevant to equity and justice. The resulting diversity is both a source of organizational strength and a matter of fundamental human fairness.
Please note, one of KCBA’s programs supports attorneys working with parents and guardians of at risk children. As a result, certain convictions would make an applicant ineligible. The King County Bar Association requires all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To meet this requirement, all employees must provide proof of vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application process, have questions regarding eligibility, or have vaccination questions, contact Len Roden at lenr@kcba.org.
POSITION DETAILS
This is an exempt full-time position requiring occasional local travel within King County. Salary range is based on a pay scale starting at $70,000.00 annually and increases based on years of practice. Benefits include employer-paid healthcare, 401k plan with automatic employer contribution, subsidized transit pass, flexible spending account, professional development opportunities, paid vacation and sick leave and more.
TO APPLY
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, but priority will be given to those who apply by 5:00 p.m. November 17, 2022 via email. Make “HJP Staff Attorney” your subject line and send a letter of interest that addresses any lived or professional experience that would contribute to our advocacy, resume, and three references to:HR@kcba.org.