Legal Assistant (Institutions Project)

Program Description

Columbia Legal Services (CLS) represents communities facing poverty and oppression, and we use every legal tool available on their behalf. CLS has a special responsibility to serve people whose access to free legal services is restricted, due to institutionalization or immigration status. Through impact litigation, policy reform, and innovative partnerships, our staff works together to further our mission to achieve social and economic justice for all, and to reveal and end actions that harm the communities we serve. We share a deep commitment to serve and advocate alongside our clients as we seek justice together.

Our vision of justice: when people have the necessary tools and opportunity to achieve social and economic justice, a more equitable and inclusive society is possible. The ideal candidate for any position at Columbia Legal Services will be able to articulate their role in the achievement of that vision.

Responsibilities

Columbia Legal Services seeks a full-time legal assistant with a minimum of 2 years of experience to join our Institutions Project. This position supports all aspects of advocacy and office administration to meet our clients’ civil legal needs and fulfill our mission. CLS offices have a collegial atmosphere that emphasizes teamwork, flexibility, and accountability. This position is based in our Seattle office and reports to the Directing Attorney of our Institutions Project. Duties include:

• Supporting a team of four attorneys on complex litigation and other advocacy-related activities, such as preparing pleadings, correspondence, and other needed documents;
• Answering frequent incoming calls from our prison intake line and managing a high volume of prison intake correspondence;
• Maintaining electronic and hard-copy files, organizing documents and entering data;
• Distributing information by mail, fax and e-mail, managing calendars for staff attorneys, and preparing attorneys for meetings, presentations, testimony, and court appearances;
• Effectively communicating orally and in writing with clients, community agencies and organizations, and government agencies;
• Organizing meetings, trainings and conference calls;
• Conducting general research on the internet and in libraries, etc.;
• Performing other legal assistant tasks as needed, including general administrative and advocacy-related support.
• Preparing charts, one-pagers, and presentations in support of advocacy.

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 35-hour-workweek, a transportation benefit, and a sabbatical every 7 years. Salary is commensurate with years of experience, and includes an annual cost-of-living adjustment. The salary for a Level 2 Legal Assistant begins at $38,926 and increases with each year of experience. This is a bargaining unit position and is eligible for representation by Washington Legal Workers, our in-house labor union.

Program Policy

Columbia Legal Services is committed to a policy of pluralism and equal opportunity in an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices for its client communities, Board and staff.  Pluralism refers to the active promotion of mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity among people who are diverse in work background, experience, education, race, color, national origin, sex, age, religious preference, marital status, sexual orientation, sensory, mental and physical abilities, veteran status, or any other perceived differences.  The resulting diversity is both a source of program strength and a matter of fundamental human fairness. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application process, contact us at 206-464-1122 or jobs@columbialegal.org.