Government - General Attorney in Seattle, WA

Public Interest

Seattle, WA

Government - General Attorney in Seattle, WA

Attorney

Min 2 yrs required

No

Job Title: Benefits Attorney

Job Responsibilities:
The role of a Benefits Attorney at the organization involves providing civil legal representation in administrative and Superior Court hearings and offering advice and dispute resolution services to low-income individuals who have experienced denial, termination, or reduction of public benefits. Key responsibilities include:

- DSHS Benefits: Legal representation and dispute resolution for clients regarding DSHS benefits. This involves client interviews, case file investigation, witness preparation, settlement negotiation, and representation at administrative hearings. The attorney is also responsible for researching, writing, and filing appeals with the Board of Appeals and King County Superior Court as necessary.

- Public Assistance: Offering information and legal advice on public assistance programs to callers and walk-in clients, making referrals to other community resources, and instructing clients who proceed without representation.

- Community Outreach: Conducting client outreach and community training, providing information and advice to other community and legal service programs, and developing collaborations with other legal and social service providers. This includes preparing fact sheets, referral information, and other materials for trainings and for use by other agencies and clients.

- Management: The attorney is tasked with hiring, supervising, evaluating, and training legal interns and volunteers, providing necessary support through regular staff meetings, and identifying and scheduling trainings and workshops to enhance skills.

- Public Benefits: Providing technical assistance to the Basic Needs Program Manager on public benefits policy changes, which includes legal research, developing innovative policy solutions, and legislative testimony.

- Record Keeping: Maintaining internal record-keeping systems, including client files, intakes, client logs, and closing memoranda, and preparing monthly statistical reports and other outcome documentation for program reports.

- Teamwork: Representing the agency in meetings, coalitions, and task forces concerning public benefits issues and clients, including state and county public benefits meetings. Participating in program, department, and agency-wide meetings and committees as required.

Education and Experience:
- A Juris Doctor degree is required, along with at least two years of experience practicing law.
- Membership in the Washington State Bar Association is mandatory.
- Experience in conducting legal research is essential.
- Experience supervising staff and/or managing volunteers is required.
- A personal connection or experience with the client community and/or public benefits is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with a focus on legal writing and persuasion.
- Strong problem-solving, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent organizational abilities, initiative, and attention to detail.
- Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize and problem-solve.
- Capability to work independently in a self-directed manner and as part of a team.
- Ability to develop collaborative relationships with legal and social service providers.
- Willingness and ability to work with individuals from diverse racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds, with various lifestyles, sexual orientations, and ages.
- Knowledge of local community services and resources available to populations served by the program.
- Demonstrated commitment and interest in providing legal services to the low-income community.
- Access to reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, vehicle insurance that meets Washington State’s minimum guidelines, and the ability and willingness to travel throughout King County and occasionally to Olympia.
- Proficient knowledge of computer software, including conducting legal research on the internet.
- Ability and willingness to work outside of normal business hours to attend meetings, trainings, and client interviews.

Salary Information:
This is a regular 40-hour per week union position with a starting salary of $86, per year, with a salary range of $86,342 to $113,928. Benefits include medical, dental, short-term and long-term disability insurance, basic life insurance, a 401(k) savings plan including agency contribution and match, holiday pay, a generous paid personal leave package, and tax-sheltered health care and dependent care accounts. Employees may be eligible for a standard annual increase, which could be determined by an employee’s union membership.

The organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. It does not discriminate based on gender, age, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status.