The In-House Counsel, Contracts & Risk serves as Plymouth Housing’s primary legal advisor for contract management, enterprise risk, and landlord-tenant/housing matters. The role partners across departments to negotiate, draft, and standardize agreements with vendors and partners, ensuring terms are clear, enforceable, and compliant with regulatory and policy requirements. It maintains the contract management system—tracking key dates, obligations, and renewals—and provides practical guidance so teams can execute projects confidently and on time.

Beyond contracts, this counsel leads Plymouth’s risk and safety posture. They review incidents and claims, coordinate with HR and operations on corrective actions, and manage organizational strategies to mitigate property and liability risk. The role evaluates contractual risk (insurance, indemnification, hold-harmless), monitors compliance with OSHA/L&I and related life-safety standards, and, in partnership with relevant leaders and outside counsel as needed, oversees litigation and complaints tied to risk, safety, and health. On landlord-tenant and housing law, the counsel advises on leasing and compliance, fair housing, rent collection and tenant disputes, and—when warranted—represents the agency in eviction proceedings. They draft and update lease forms, notices, and housing templates, and work closely with Property Management, Quality, Innovation & Health, People Strategy & Operations, and Executive leadership to resolve resident and operational issues. The role also builds strong working relationships with community partners and government agencies to support Plymouth’s mission and ensure consistent, lawful practices. Ensures OSHA/L&I and life-safety compliance, and supports mission-critical decisions with clear, timely legal guidance.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO BE DOING IN THIS ROLE AT PLYMOUTH HOUSING

Contract Management: 

• Work closely with internal teams to negotiate contractual arrangements with established and/or potential vendors, with approved contract guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Develop contract documentation, clearly specifying terms, including legal regulatory, policy, financial and others thus allowing for implementation of the contract and minimizing/preventing internal/external misunderstandings of contract intent.
• Work closely with other departments to ensure contract provisions are consistent across providers and ensure applicable legal and regulatory terms are included in the signed contract.
• Provide guidance on contract terms and compliance requirements.
• Maintain contract management system to track key dates, obligations ad renewals. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key counterparts representing the vendor and key internal colleagues to allow for support of Plymouth initiatives.
• Collaborate with insurance broker to review contract language regarding insurance requirements

Risk Management 

• Manage security and security strategies for the organization.
• Review and analyze incidents, accidents, and claims to identify trends and opportunities for training and/or process improvements to reduce risk.
• Review reports with appropriate department(s) and PSO and initiate actions to mitigate recurrences.
• Lead efforts to identify and mitigate property and liability risks.
• Review contracts for risk identification; review and approve insurance requirements, indemnification clauses, and hold harmless clauses on various Plymouth leases, contracts; request for construction bids, vendor agreements, agreements with service organizations, and resident associations.
• Review contracts for risk policy.
• Monitor compliance with Labor & Industries (L&I), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and other life/safety regulations; work directly with the regulators and perform organizational audits of regulatory compliance.
• In partnership with appropriate departments, oversee litigation and complaints related to risk, safety and health.

 

Landlord-Tenant and Housing law

• Provide guidance on landlord-tenant matters, including lease agreements and compliance, rent collection issues, tenant disputes, eviction process, and Fair housing compliance.
• Represent the agency in landlord-tenant litigation, including eviction proceedings. 
• Assess and mitigate potential legal risks, offer guidance to property management teams on compliance and tenant conduct.
• Draft, review and update lease agreements, notices, and related Housing documents and templates.
• Work closely with Property management, Quality Innovation & Health, and Executive leadership to resolve legal issues involving residents or agency operations.

Partnerships and collaborations 

• Advise property management, Quality Innovation & Health, People Strategy & Operations and Executive leadership on legal matters impacting daily operations.
• Build and maintains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including community partners, resident leaders, and government agencies.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years relevant legal experience including landlord- tenant law, nonprofit housing.
• Knowledge of supportive housing models and housing subsidies
• Experience in risk assessment, mitigation strategies and compliance management 
• Experience in Property management operations

EDUCATION AND/OR LICENSING

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Licensed and in good standing to practice in Washington.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The working environment at Plymouth Housing is supportive and inclusive, fostering a culture of teamwork, empathy, and respect for all staff members and residents.
• This role is primarily based in an office setting, requiring extended periods of sitting and computer use.
• Occasional walking and standing may be necessary for tasks such as attending meetings or conducting training sessions.
• Occasional travel may be required for training sessions, audits, or conferences.
• This position may offer flexibility for remote work, requiring reliable internet access and a suitable workspace at home.
• Light physical activity such as lifting and carrying documents, files, and laptop computers (up to 20 pounds).
• Ability to handle work-related stress and manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently. 

This is a full-time position with benefits. We offer medical Insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 8 free counseling sessions per clinical issue per year, 21 paid leave days per year, 10 paid holidays, 4 wellness days per year, retirement 403(b), flex spending account, employee assistance program, subsidized ORCA pass and we pay 100% for basic life insurance and long-term disability. Join us and be a catalyst for positive change!

Plymouth Housing is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, train and promote employees based on merit and business needs, and without regard for race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, weight, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, military status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law.

The Job Description provided by Plymouth Housing outlines the essential functions and qualifications of the described role to the best of our ability. While it provides a comprehensive overview, it does not encompass every duty, responsibility, or qualification associated with the position. We recognize the need for flexibility and reasonable accommodation, and therefore, this document is subject to modifications to meet individual needs as appropriate. It is important to note that this Job Description does not constitute a contractual agreement.

Pay Type: Annual

Salary Range: $209,061 - $235,000 USD

Please apply through the job link.

Kutak Rock LLP would like to share our Firm wide Lateral Attorney, Employment and Labor opportunity with the Washington Women Lawyers. Interested individuals may find the full description and details on how to apply on our website: https://www.kutakrock.com/general-content/careers-attorney

Lateral Attorney, Employment and Labor opportunity – Open to all Firm Offices

JOB SUMMARY

Kutak Rock seeks a lateral attorney with significant management-side labor law experience to join the Firm’s national Employment and Labor practice. This position is ideal for proactive, experienced attorneys with a self-sustaining book of business who want to integrate their labor and employment law practice into a full-service corporate law firm to capitalize on our national resources, cross-marketing opportunities, and collegial and collaborative work environment.

Kutak Rock, a U.S. News and World Report rated "Best Companies to Work For: Law Firms." provides attorneys the opportunity to grow their practice while making valuable contributions in a collegial and collaborative environment.

This full-time, hybrid position may work out of one of the following Firm offices: Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO; Fayetteville, AR; Irvine, CA; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA;  Kansas City, MO; Minneapolis, MN; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Richmond, VA; Scottsdale, AZ; Spokane, WA; Springfield, MO; Tallahassee, FL; or Washington, D.C.

Salary Range: $200,000-$400,000 annual base salary, commensurate with education and experience.  The actual salary offered will be based on a wide range of factors, including location, originations, and portable book of business.

Beginning Monday, September 29, 2025 attorneys interested in applying for the 2026 Pierce County Superior Court Pro Tem Commissioner List shall complete a Pierce County Personnel Application, Superior Court Supplemental Questionnaire, and Release of Information. The application packet may be obtained from the Superior Court website at http://piercecountywa.gov/superior/employment.

**CURRENT PRO TEM COMMISSIONERS MUST APPLY FOR RE-APPOINTMENT**

Applications will be accepted by email only through Friday, October 24, 2025, at  4:00 p.m. and should be emailed to Commissioner Services at Sup_PT_App@Piercecountywa.gov. Applicants will receive an acknowledgement email in response. If an acknowledgement email is not received, please call Mary Madden at 253-798-2991.

*PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE 4:00 P.M. DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.*

An applicant must have a minimum of five years of experience in the State of Washington and may not serve as a pro tem commissioner if appointed or serving as a Guardian Ad Litem for compensation under Title 11, 13 or 26.  

On September 11, 2025, Justice Mary Yu announced her resignation from the bench effective December 31, 2025.

Governor Bob Ferguson is now seeking interested and qualified members of the Washington State Bar Association to submit applications to fill Justice Yu’s position on the the Washington State Supreme Court. The Governor’s application for judicial appointment — the Uniform Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire — can be downloaded at: governor.wa.gov/official-actions/judicial-appointments.

To be considered for this vacancy, applicants should promptly submit the completed
Uniform Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire; a resume; the information waiver (also found at the link above); and at least five letters of recommendation. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to schedule judicial evaluations with the Washington State Bar Association and the statewide affinity bar associations.

All applications must be completed and submitted to the Governor’s Office by Monday, October 20, 2025. Any judicial evaluation ratings should be submitted to the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel as soon as possible.

The Administrative Office of the Courts had several new job opportunities posted this week. For more information about these positions, to review the job description, inquire about benefits, or to apply, please click below:

 

Judicial Administrative Assistant - COA | Job Details tab | Career Pages - Range 62 - COA

 

Senior Business Analyst - PPD | Job Details tab | Career Pages - Range 72

 

Supreme Court - Legal Secretary | Job Details tab | Career Pages - Range 55 – Supreme Court

 

IT Security Technician | Job Details tab | Career Pages - Range 64

Whatcom County Public Defender's office in Bellingham, WA is seeking a Deputy I, II, or Senior depending on qualifications.

Primary Duties:

• Acts as court-appointed counsel representing individuals accused of misdemeanors or felonies in superior, district and juvenile courts.
• Represents appointed clients in all phases of criminal proceedings, including arraignment, pretrial hearings, trial preparation, plea negotiations, trial and sentencing.
• Responsible for the investigation and preparation of each case assigned.
• Primary caseload consists of misdemeanors. Juvenile, or felony cases may be assigned based upon experience.
• Assists management and other staff, as directed. Complies with legal standards and requirements.
• Complies with legal standards and requirements.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/whatcomcounty/jobs/4933600/deputy-i-ii-or-senior-public-defender

King County Superior Court is accepting applications for the position of Director II – Family Court Operations to lead this critical court department.  Please find a direct link to the job posting and application below and a PDF announcement attached. 

 

Director II – Family Court Operations

King County

Salary:  $154,716.02 - $194,738.00 Annually

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kingcounty/jobs/4982388/director-ii-family-court-operations

Clerkship Vacancy

The Chambers of Judge Timothy M. Reif of the United States Court of International Trade (“USCIT”) seeks a qualified law school graduate for a two-year clerkship on a full-time basis beginning in August 2026. The USCIT, established under Article III of the Constitution, has nationwide jurisdiction over civil actions arising out of the customs and international trade laws of the United States. Judge Reif also sits by designation on the United States District Courts for the Western District of North Carolina, the Northern District of Oklahoma and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

Clerks will work closely with Judge Reif on assigned cases. The clerks will have the opportunity to write memos and draft opinions, review briefs and pleadings, conduct legal research on the cases and administrative decisions that come before the court, edit, proofread and assemble documents, observe court proceedings, attend and assist with preparation for oral arguments and trials, and engage in various administrative duties.

Working alongside Judge Reif will allow and require the clerk to understand the arguments of all of the parties and prepare impartial and carefully reasoned legal analyses of the issues in each case assigned to that clerk. Judge Reif expects that clerks will have strong written and analytical skills and will be interested to hone and strengthen those skills even further during the clerkship under his guidance and with feedback from fellow clerks.

Judge Reif intends for clerks to serve as valuable assets to him and to the court.

Throughout the clerkship term, clerks will gain an understanding of trial and appellate procedures at the USCIT, Federal Circuit and the other district courts on which Judge Reif sits by designation.

As a specialized court, the USCIT considers cases that, typically, involve decisions of the Customs and Border Protection agency in the Department of Homeland Security, whether and at what rate to levy customs duties, and decisions of the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce to levy antidumping and countervailing duties on certain imports, as well as other types of legal disputes arising out of the importation of goods that fall within the jurisdiction of the court. An interest in international trade law and/or administrative law is recommended.

Applicants are required to submit a resume, cover letter, law school transcript, writing sample and three letters of reference. Applications should be submitted via OSCAR. 

Applications submitted by graduates will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified. Please note that an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident to apply. If you have questions, please contact TMR_Applicants@cit.uscourts.gov.

Lead Litigation Attorney – Spokane, WA or Coeur d’Alene, ID

Join a legal team with a mission to change the world for the better. At Smith + Malek, we choose value-aligned attorneys and clients to work together to make a difference. Smith + Malek, PLLC is a mission-driven, mid-sized law firm and seeks a Lead Litigation Attorney with 4+ years of active litigation experience to join and help lead our growing civil litigation practice focused on real estate and business law. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of complex cases, collaborate with a talented team, and contribute to a firm committed to changing the world for the better.

What We're Looking For:

● An individual committed to working with a team across practice areas to achieve the best outcomes for clients;

● Strong research, writing, and analytical skills;

● Demonstrated courtroom and deposition experience;

● Ability to work independently and as part of a team;

● Experience mentoring or supervising other attorneys is a plus;

● Detail-oriented with excellent communication skills;

● Licensed to practice in Washington and Idaho, or licensed to practice in either state and willing to apply to practice in both.

Location & Flexibility:

This position may be based in either our Spokane, WA, or Coeur d’Alene, ID, office. We offer remote work flexibility.

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary range: $140,000 – $220,000 annually, depending on experience plus profit-sharing eligibility

Comprehensive benefits package, including:

● Health, vision, and dental insurance

● Short- and long-term disability

● Paid parental leave

● Paid time off

● 401(k) with employer match

● Incentive plan

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, references, writing sample, and law school transcript to

contact@smithmalek.com.

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is currently hiring a temporary staff attorney to join our Tacoma office as part of the Detained Immigrant Advocates (DIA) unit.

In collaboration with legal staff across NWIRP’s multiple units, this attorney will play a vital role in the organization’s legal response efforts. Serving both as an on-the-ground legal responder at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma and as the primary coordinator for NWIRP’s large-scale raid response.

If you or someone in your network is passionate about immigrant justice and admitted to the bar in any U.S. state, we encourage you to apply or pass along this opportunity.

 To apply: Visit NWIRP’s Career Page.