Position

Columbia Legal Services seeks a full-time Legal Fellow to work in our Working Families Project for a two-year fellowship, located in our Wenatchee office. This position will provide systemic, multi-forum legal advocacy to advance a broad range of legal issues affecting farm and other low-wage workers and their families in Washington. This position will focus primarily on employment, as well as related civil rights matters and access to equal opportunities in our communities.

Responsibilities

• Work with a team of attorneys and legal workers on complex trial and appellate litigation, class actions, and legislative advocacy.

• Creatively investigate and pursue new opportunities and identify practices and laws that adversely affect the rights and diminish the benefits of low-wage workers and devise creative strategies for addressing these problems.

• Assist with the development of campaigns and strategies to advance the goals of the project team.

• Coordinate with other advocacy groups, legal services organizations, and the private bar to identify opportunities and execute strategies to advance the law for low-income populations.

• Be available to travel occasionally around the state and work flexible hours. May include travel to Olympia during the legislative session.

Qualifications

• Bilingual skills in Spanish/English are required.

• Law degree and license to practice in Washington, or ability to take next Washington bar exam.

• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative, practical systemic solutions.

• Excellent written and oral communication, research, negotiation, and analytical skills; superior attention to detail.

• Willingness to work well independently and on a team, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines on time-sensitive projects.

• Experience in complex litigation or appellate advocacy a plus.

• Cultural competence; experience working with low-income client communities, or immigrant and indigenous populations a plus

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee

Compensation

CLS offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation package including generous holiday and paid time off, excellent employee health care benefits, paid parental leave, a relocation stipend, and a transportation benefit. Salary is commensurate with years of experience, and includes an annual cost-of-living adjustment. The entry-level salary for this position is $55,932. This is a bargaining unit position and is eligible for representation by Washington Legal Workers, our in-house labor union and is considered an adjunct position.

Position is open until filled. Please note that due to the volume of applications received, CLS is unable to respond to every application. CLS will contact you if we decide to pursue your application. If e-mailed, please make Legal Fellow your subject line.

If you are interested in this position, send a cover letter, resume, a legal writing sample and the completed Equity Statement to careers@columbialegal.org or to: Trisa Kern, Director of Program Administration Columbia Legal Services 101 Yesler Way Suite 300 Seattle, Washington, 98104 careers@columbialegal.org