Bilingual Attorney: Portland or Medford, Oregon

The Northwest Workers’ Justice Project (NWJP) protects workplace dignity by supporting the efforts of low-wage, immigrant and contingent workers to improve wages and working conditions and to eliminate imbalances in power that lead to inequity. NWJP has seven attorneys and eight paralegals/support staff that work collaboratively together and with our clients to build power as a way of dismantling structural racism and inequities. We offer high-quality, direct legal assistance to workers and their organizations; support organizing efforts; educate workers, their leaders, and the public about workplace rights; advocate for better employment laws; and promote greater access to low-cost employment legal assistance. For more information about NWJP, visit www.nwjp.org.

Our main office is in Portland, Oregon, but a successful applicant may choose to be based in Portland or at NWJP’s office in Medford, Oregon. Some remote work is possible.

Position Description

The central focus of the position is client representation in the areas of wage-and-hour violations, workplace discrimination, workplace health and safety, and employer retaliation in Oregon. There will also be opportunities to support worker-led advocacy and organizing and to engage in outreach and education. We are looking for attorneys committed to strategically using their legal training to create long-term change for working people.

The position requires the ability to work well with colleagues and a variety of external partners including unions, civil and immigrants’ rights organizations, law enforcement agencies and community and advocacy groups.

Required qualifications:

• Ability to take direction and guidance from low-income clients and their self-identified priorities;
• Ability to work with diverse communities and cultural competence to address the legal needs of immigrant workers;
• Commitment to developing litigation and other advocacy skills;
• A high degree of initiative and ability to manage a litigation caseload;
• Excellent communication, writing, organizational and research skills;
• Ability to work independently and as a team player;
• Ability to think creatively and a willingness to implement unconventional legal strategies to blaze new legal trails;
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, as well as a desire to disrupt existing systems of oppression;
• Willingness to work irregular hours on occasion to meet the needs of clients;
• Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish; and
• Oregon bar accreditation, or ability and willingness to obtain it as soon as possible.

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated litigation skills.
• Experience in employment, immigration or labor law.
• Demonstrated commitment to workers’ rights.

How to Apply

Review of applications and interviews will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and a list of three references to Corinna Spencer-Scheurich, Director, at jobs@nwjp.org. Please include the posting you are applying for in the subject line.

NWJP strives to be an affirming, positive, diverse work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applicants who will contribute to our diversity and/or who come from our client communities to apply.

Salary & Benefits

Flexible FTE with .8 FTE or more preferred. Salary is commensurate with salary paid by Oregon legal services programs, which depends on experience. As an example, a successful, bilingual candidate with 0-10 years of experience working full time would currently expect to make $70,150 to $85,150 a year, but applicants with more experience are encouraged to apply and would be paid according to experience. This position is represented by ILWU Local 5, which is in the process of bargaining a first contract.

NWJP offers a medical, vision and dental plan that is covered 100% for employees and offers a small contribution to child coverage. After 2 years of employment, NWJP has a bonus plan currently amounting to 6% of all payroll and distributed to staff based on FTE; employees are encouraged to contribute bonuses to an IRA retirement plan. NWJP has a flexible work schedule, although this position may be asked to help maintain regular office hours or work irregular hours to meet the needs of clients. NWJP provides paid vacation, sick days and holidays.