Description:

Summary:
An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy seeks a passionate, collaborative, and innovative attorney, committed to social justice and anti-racism, to provide direct representation in Yakima County. Applicants must be a member of the Washington State Bar Association or qualify for admission by motion from another state under Washington State Court rule APR 3(c)(1).

This position is based in Yakima County, WA. An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy is a virtual non-profit – the attorney will work from home and spend their time in Yakima County, meeting with clients in the community and at court. The attorney will primarily be practicing in underlying state Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) matters, CHINS/ARY/Becca proceedings, minor guardianships and dependencies.

Applicants with at least 3 years of experience representing youth in either dependencies, minor guardianships, or CHINS/ARY/Becca proceedings are strongly preferred. The attorney will not need existing expertise in the other listed areas of law, but they do need to arrive at An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy with a commitment to continual learning. Spanish speakers are highly preferred.

Qualifications:

Ability to practice in Yakima County. Because this position requires in-person visits to clients in Yakima county and the courthouse, applicants must live in or be willing to live within Yakima county.
Active member of the Washington State Bar Association or qualify for admission by motion from another state under Washington State Court rule APR 3(c)(1).
Demonstrated commitment to An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy's mission of protecting the interest and safety of youth in Washington by advancing their legal rights.
Commitment to and demonstrated interest in engaging in culturally competent relationships and applying an anti-racist lens to program operations, community partnerships, and supporting young people.
Ability to zealously advocate for clients in and outside the courtroom, including issue spotting, problem solving, providing legal advice, negotiating resolutions, and written and oral advocacy. Great attention to detail and proven follow through.
Ability to navigate and follow all applicable laws and court rules, including the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Willingness to learn and utilize case management and software systems necessary for a remote office environment, following An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy's standards of practice.
Demonstrated interest and ability in working with youth and families of diverse racial, cultural, socio-economic backgrounds and inspire their confidence.
Ability to work independently, be self-motivated and ask for help.
Ability to communicate legal concepts, options, and potential outcomes in a developmentally appropriate manner with youth.
Ability to work professionally with youth and diverse community partners, developing a relationship of trust and confidence.
Ability to be flexible and adaptable, adjusting to the needs of youth and the organization.
Understands the effects of vicarious trauma and the importance of work balance and boundaries to support well-being.
Committed to continual learning and responsive to feedback.
Must have access to reliable transportation to be able to regularly travel throughout Yakima county as needed and occasionally to other parts of Washington state.
Experience working with youth and/or children is highly preferred.
Fluency in English and Spanish is highly valued.

Job Duties:
The staff attorney in Yakima County will undertake a range of duties including, but not limited to the list below.

Draft and file appropriate pleadings in different matters as needed in multiple courts. Must be able to litigate and represent clients zealously.
Provide youth with legal advice, referrals, mediation, and in-court representation as needed on a variety of legal matters including, but not limited to dependencies, minor guardianships, truancies, CHINS/ARY and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
Investigate each case; analyze facts in light of relevant legal considerations; conduct legal research; prepare litigation strategy; prepare legal memoranda, motions and briefs, and argue specific legal motions and pleadings; litigate evidentiary hearings; examine and cross-examine witnesses.
Participate in regular case staffings with An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy management.
Participate in weekly team meetings, general staff monthly meetings, and bi-annual retreats with all An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy staff.
Staff cases, problem solve, and identify trends and systemic barriers as an active member of An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy.
Participate in trainings to continually improve the advocacy provided to the youth An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy serves.
Timely track hours, expenses, and pertinent case data from intakes and closing in An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy's online case management system.
Timely calendar court dates and appointments and upload case documents into case management system.
Regularly participate in trainings, identity group conversations, and project specific workgroups on equity and systemic racism.

An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy's services are community based. We meet youth in locations where they feel safe and can easily access. We will continue to adapt our policies in line with public health recommendations and our legal responsibilities to young people we represent. The attorney is expected to provide services in Yakima County. All An Organization Provides Holistic Legal Advocacy staff are required to provide proof of vaccination for COVID-19 and pass a background check.