Reports to: Legal Programs Director

Works with: Legal Services Team, Community Advocacy & Outreach Team

Location: Remote but must live in the State of Washington

FLSA/Classification: Independent Contractor

Pay: $2,000 - $2,350 a month depending on experience and actual hours worked

Overview: QLaw Foundation of Washington promotes the dignity and respect of 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians within the legal system through advocacy, education, and legal assistance. QLaw Foundation provides direct services and systemic advocacy centered around the core value that 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are entitled to access to knowledgeable, culturally competent legal providers in a welcoming and affirming setting, while working together to engage community power toward long-term change. QLaw Foundation also works to empower 2SLGBTQIA+ communities through providing skills-based community legal education, know-your-rights materials, and providing spaces for communities and legal services providers to build relationships, share knowledge, and organize together.

For more information, please review our website at www.qlawfoundation.org.

Position Summary: QLaw Foundation of Washington is seeking a dedicated and community-minded attorney to join our team as a Contract Attorney. This role will provide support to QLaw Foundation leadership in the delivery of quality legal services, systemic advocacy and impact litigation.

Core Responsibilities:

Consult with the Legal Programs Director to maintain ethics and malpractice compliance for all legal programs and direct representation.
Support and advise the Legal Programs Director in the supervision and training of volunteer attorneys.
Inform strategic planning to achieve identified organizational goals in the areas of legislative advocacy, impact litigation and legal programming.
Work with the Community Advocacy and Outreach Director to review legislative statutes and initiatives, identify areas of concern and make recommendations around strategic advocacy.
Identify and collaborate with co-counsel on direct representation and/or impact litigation.
Keep bar license in good standing.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

JD or equivalent and Washington State Bar Association License.
Two or more years of experience as an attorney, or comparable non-attorney experience serving low-income clients in a legal aid or public interest setting.
Experience in at least one of the following areas of law preferred: civil rights, tort, discrimination, or other applicable civil litigation.
Any combination of education, experience and measurable performance which demonstrates the capability to perform the duties of this position.

A successful QLaw Foundation Contract Attorney will spend approximately 80% of their time engaged in compliance supervision, 20% of their time on representation.

Required Skills and Attributes:

Ability to commit to working up to approximately 40 hours a month with reliable access to the internet, a computer, and a phone.
Experience tracking emerging federal executive orders, administrative rules, and statutes, and developing case theories to support the continued equality of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities under the law.
Intermediate-level knowledge to advise and represent clients in the areas of constitutional law, torts, anti-discrimination, protections, health care law, and local civil rules and procedures related to family law and identity documents.
Maintain a working knowledge of policies and practices of local and state civil rights agencies.
Ability to develop and implement litigation and advocacy strategies.
Database and records management skills.
Excellent critical thinking and evaluation skills.
Trained or willing to self-train in using Zoom, Microsoft 365 including Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Ability to work independently while collaborating within QLaw Foundation’s organizational strategies and values.
Commitment to client-centered legal and sometimes non-traditional alternative legal services.
Ability to take leadership and direction from non-lawyer staff and community organizers.
A willingness to learn and develop knowledge in areas where there is a lack of practice experience
Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines
Commitment to supporting QLaw Foundation’s mission, vision, and values.

Preferred Skills and Attributes:

Bilingual or multilingual applicants strongly preferred.
Lived 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and/or very close relationship with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities strongly preferred.
Experience with community organizing and movement-building in BIPOC, rural, and/or undocumented 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces strongly preferred.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:This position works 100% of the time on the computer, with approximately 20% of that time in virtual meetings. Occasional in-person engagements may be required, within appropriate COVID safety protocols. We welcome information about any needed workplace accommodations or other necessary supports.

Hours/Compensation: This is an independent contractor position with up to an estimated 40 hours of work per month to be paid in monthly increments of $2,000 - $2350 (depending on experience). The organization work hours and meetings are typically between 10am-6pm, Monday-Friday.

Organization Culture: Our organization is friendly, inclusive, and centers clients and community relationships.QLaw Foundation welcomes applicants who lives outside of Seattle/Puget Sound region, are queer and trans, Black, Indigenous, or people of color (QTPOC/BIPOC), immigrants, parents, disabled, or otherwise marginalized, and welcomes applicants with personal experience of the legal system.

QLaw Foundation of Washington

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