Staff Attorney - Student Legal Services

07/29/2020 11:08 AM | WWL Admin (Administrator)

STAFF ATTORNEY

Req #: 180721
Department: STUDENT LEGAL SERVICES
Job Location: Seattle Campus
Posting Date: 07/15/2020 
Closing Info: Open Until Filled 
Salary: Salary is commensurate with education and experience. 
Shift: First Shift 
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years. 

Student Legal Services has an outstanding opportunity for a Staff Attorney.  Student Legal Services provides a safe and confidential space for UW-Seattle students who have legal questions or concerns. We assist students with immigration matters, landlord/tenant questions, domestic violence protection orders, estate planning documents, discrimination claims, criminal cases, name and gender marker changes, and traffic tickets, among other services. We provide free 40-minute consultations and students can hire SLS for a low hourly fee for ongoing representation.

This position is responsible for supervising third year law students in a broad range of practice areas. Primary legal responsibility for the landlord/tenant, family law, and criminal law case load as well as other issues areas depending on experience. Provides support to the Directing Attorney in support of the program operations.

Responsibilities

Deliver indirect (through Rule 9 licensed legal interns) and direct legal services to clients throughout the calendar year as needed, including during exam periods and academic breaks.

Assist in the development and interpretation of policies that relate to Student Legal Services clients and case acceptance. Work cooperatively with HUB administration staff, especially in payroll and budgetary matters.

Assist in selecting, training, supervising, and evaluating a staff consisting of seven to eight part-time Rule 9 licensed legal interns (third year law students with a limited license from the Washington Supreme Court that authorizes them to practice law under attorney supervision) and two part-time undergraduate legal assistants during autumn, winter, and spring quarters, and one full-time licensed legal intern and one part-time undergraduate legal assistant during summer quarter. The Staff Attorney will split direct supervision responsibilities of these interns and student assistants as follows:

•Provide day-to-day supervision and regular evaluation of three to four licensed legal interns who furnish legal services to currently enrolled UW-Seattle undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Coordinate back-up supervision if needed by private volunteer attorneys who serve as Rule 9 supervising attorneys.
•Provide day-to-day supervision and regular evaluation of one undergraduate legal assistant who provides office support for client scheduling and training. Each legal assistant also has responsibility for one or more of the specialty areas below.


The Staff Attorney will take lead responsibility for two to three of the following areas:

•Recruitment and Hiring: Oversee the recruitment and hiring processes of the Rule 9 licensed legal interns and undergraduate legal assistants.
•Training and Meetings: Provide training for Rule 9 Licensed Legal Interns and undergraduate legal assistants, regarding the Rules of Professional Conduct and other areas of law. Attend all staff meetings to provide additional guidance and instruction to Rule 9 Licensed Legal Interns and undergraduate legal assistants.
•Budget Management: Prepare and manage operating and capital budgets.  Present annual operating and capital budget requests to the Services and Activities Fee Committee.
•Outreach: Coordinate and present workshops to student groups on issues of interest such as immigration law, landlord-tenant issues, family law, criminal law, traffic, employment, income tax, contract law, and legal careers. Develop and promote marketing materials and participate in advocacy efforts.
•Office Technology: Prepare office usage statistics. Identify sources of legal referrals and law office technology. Oversee client files and intake process on Clio Grow, Clio Manage, and/or eImmigration.
•Office Operations: Assist in office operations as requested by management including but not limited to: manage office supplies, document retention, client files, personnel records, client trust account, and client billing protocols (including responding to requests for waiver or reductions in hourly billing rates in matters with ongoing representation).


Maintain collegial relations with faculty and staff of UW School of Law, especially clinical law program and career services.


Related duties as assigned.

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs.  For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.

Qualifications
•Law degree from an ABA-accredited law school, or successful completion of APR 6 Law Clerk Program.
•Admitted to practice law in Washington State. Active member of a state bar association in good standing.
•Three years of active experience practicing law or serving in judicial or administrative law capacities including at least two years experience working on criminal law, family law, and/or landlord/tenant issues.
•Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills required.
•Experience working collegially in teams with people from a variety of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, religious, sexual, gender, and generational backgrounds.
•Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
•Possesses a strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes a harassment-free environment; and builds a diverse workforce.
•Experience hiring and supervising staff.
•Ability to work collaboratively with the Directing Attorney.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.

Preferred Qualifications
•Five years of active experience in Washington State practicing law or serving in judicial or administrative law capacities.
•Experience working with domestic violence survivors in obtaining protection orders.
•Experience at all stages of criminal defense from arraignment through trial.
•Participation in state, local, specialty, or minority bar associations.
•Bilingual or multilingual, especially in Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Portuguese, American Sign Language, French, Farsi, and/or Arabic.
•Welcoming and friendly demeanor; appreciative and respectful of all cultures and beliefs.
•Experience working with young adults and a diverse client population.
•Experience serving the legal needs of young adult, multi-lingual, or vulnerable, populations.
•Interest in an energetic and challenging work environment.
•Values working cooperatively with other campus and community allies.
•Knowledge of legal resources.


Supervision

General supervision received from the Student Legal Services Directing Attorney.


Anticipated start date: mid-September 2020

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
REQUIREMENTS:
Priority reviews of applicants will be given to those who submit applications by August 5,2020.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.

The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.


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