Attorney - Employment Section - Advising

King-County,-W; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Civil Division, seeks an enthusiastic attorney to join the Employment Section in Seattle. You will advise and litigate labor arbitrations, administrative hearings, and provide counsel on discrimination, investigations, and wage/hour issues for County clients.

Candidates should have strong research and writing skills, outstanding client relations, and a commitment to equity.

Qualifications

• Washington State Bar in good standing.
• Hybrid work schedule with in-office Wednesdays.
• 3-5 years litigation or labor and employment experience desired but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on all aspects of labor and employment law.
• Litigate matters in labor arbitrations and administrative hearings for the County.
• Advise on discrimination, investigations, wage/hour, and leave issues.
• Advise on King County Code provisions, Executive, and court/policy matters.

Skills

Client relations

Analytical ability

Persuasive advocacy

Legal research

Legal writing

Labor arbitration

Team collaboration

Race equity

Job description

The Civil Division of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (PAO) is in search of an enthusiastic and analytical attorney to join our team in the Employment Section, focusing on both advising and litigating labor arbitrations and administrative hearings.

The Civil Division provides comprehensive legal services to King County government, including all County elected and appointed officials, department heads, and managers of numerous county agencies and departments. Serving in its role as an in-house law firm for the County, the Civil Division works closely with its clients in solving a wide range of legal problems by providing legal advice and representing King County and its employees in lawsuits filed in state or federal courts. The Civil Division is composed of approximately 80 lawyers that are organized into eight specialized sections: (1) Contracts, (2) County Services, (3) Transportation & Real Property, (4) Involuntary Treatment Act (5) Employment, (6) Land Use, (7) Natural Resources, and (8) Litigation.

Guided by our core values of Integrity, Compassion, Professionalism, and Leadership, our mission is to do Justice:

• We exercise the power given to us by the people with fairness and humility.
• We serve our diverse community, support victims and families, and hold individuals accountable.
• We develop innovative and collaborative solutions for King County and the State of Washington.

Our office is composed of six divisions that are further organized into specialized units: We value diversity and strive to hire a workforce that reflects the community that we serve. It is essential to our mission that we create and maintain an office that is diverse and inclusive. All PAO employees are expected to participate in PAO equity work and attend equity trainings and discussions. PAO employees are expected to comply with race, equity, and social justice principles, and to work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement.

To learn more about the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (PAO), please visit our website.

The successful candidate will serve as in-house counsel on employment issues to County clients (Executive departments, Council, PAO, Superior and District Court). Providing legal advice on all aspects of labor and employment law, including but not limited to discrimination issues, workplace investigations and discipline, wage and hour issues, labor issues, and leave issues. The successful candidate will also advise on applicable King County Code provisions, Executive, Superior Court, District Court and Legislative branch policies.

In addition to advising day-to-day, the successful candidate will also litigate matters on behalf of the County in labor arbitrations and in other administrative forums including the King County Personnel Board, the Office of Administrative Hearings, and the Washington Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC).

• Outstanding client relations skills;
• Exceptional analytical abilities;
• Ability to present a persuasive case to a fact finder;
• Excellent legal research and writing skills;
• Ability to effectively represent the County in labor arbitrations and in other administrative forums;
• Demonstrates initiative and an ability to successfully work with a team on complex matters;
• Strong commitment to Race, Equity and Social Justice, including continued development of personal cultural humility/competence and applying that development to advising and representation;
• 3-5 years previous litigation and/or labor and employment law experience desired but not required.

Salary

$122,671 - $174,028 annually commensurate with 3- 20 years of experience.

Special Requirements

• Member in good standing with the Washington State Bar.
• Must submit to a criminal history check.

We are providing a courtesy link to the Rules of Professional Conduct for candidates to consider and review to ensure they are meeting any requirements, particularly for those who currently represent individuals in any King County-related matters. In the supplemental question section, please acknowledge you have reviewed this and that you’re aware of these obligations.

Location

The Civil Division is located in the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle. Attorneys enjoy a hybrid work schedule that allows telecommuting three days one week, two days the next, with in-office work required on Wednesdays. If a successful candidate is new to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, they may be required to work in-office three days every week for six months.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact

Selene Poulsen (she/her)

Sr. Human Resources Analyst

[e-mail]

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is dedicated to making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.