Staff Attorney

Reports to: Legal Programs Director

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

Location: Remote but must live in the State of Washington

Pay: $85,000-$100,000 annually (depending on experience)

Overview: QLaw Foundation of Washington promotes the dignity and respect of 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians within the legal system through advocacy, education, and legal assistance. Our direct services and systemic advocacy are rooted in the core value that 2SLGBTQIA+ communities deserve knowledgeable, culturally competent legal providers in welcoming and affirming settings, and that lasting change requires collaboration with community. QLaw Foundation 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 is seeking a Staff Attorney to support the delivery of high-quality legal services to 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and communities in Washington. This position works collaboratively across teams and with volunteers to advance QLaw’s legal services, education, and advocacy goals. The Staff Attorney will help lead community-centered impact litigation, contribute to legislative advocacy strategies, and shape legal education initiatives. They will proactively identify emerging legal issues and help guide coordinated organizational responses in collaboration with legal, outreach, and advocacy staff.

Core Responsibilities:

• Provide oversight for contracted attorneys, interns/externs, and program volunteers.
• Support the 2SLGBTQIA+ Legal Clinic and Attorney Referral Programs.
• Contribute to outreach and recruitment of attorney volunteers & referral partners.

Core Responsibilities (cont.):

• Provide support with the organization’s legal and contract compliance standards
• Participate in systemic advocacy, including legislative hearings, coalitions, work groups, and stakeholder meetings.
• Support the Community Advocacy & Outreach Director and the Legal Programs Director in strategic planning around legislative advocacy, impact litigation, and legal programming.
• Identify, and serve as co-counsel or direct counsel for clients in negotiations and litigation.
• Collaboratively review and respond to requests for assistance from community partners and social service organizations.
• Develop and deliver trainings to client groups, community organizations, and legal audiences.
• Maintain working knowledge of policies and practices of local and state civil rights agencies.
• Maintain active Washington State Bar membership in good standing.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school
• Active Washington State Bar Association Member in good standing
• Two or more years of experience as an attorney, or comparable non-attorney experience serving low-income clients in legal aid or public-interest settings.
• Working knowledge of local and national civil rights caselaw.
• Experience or working knowledge in one or more of the following areas: LGBTQIA+ rights; civil rights; anti-discrimination; healthcare/insurance law; employment law; housing law; and local civil rules and procedures related to family law or identity documents.
• Ability to develop and implement case management, litigation, and advocacy strategies.
• Any combination of education, experience, and measurable performance demonstrating capability to perform this role.

Other Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering antiracist, culturally competent, client-centered, and sometimes non-traditional legal services.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic objectives.
• Ability to take leadership and direction from non-lawyer staff and community organizers.
• Proficiency or willingness to learn LegalServer, Zoom, Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating within QLaw’s organizational strategies and values.
• Willingness to grow and learn in new practice areas.

Preferred Skills and Attributes:

• Bilingual or multilingual applicants strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• Experience tracking emerging federal executive orders, administrative rules, and statutes, and developing legal theories to support continued equality for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Benefits include employer-provided health care, retirement benefits, generous paid time off, and a remote work stipend. QLaw Foundation will also pay for Washington Bar licensing, CLE fees, related professional dues and fees, professional development and training opportunities.

Bilingual or multilingual applicants strongly encouraged to apply.