Attorney - Litigation Section - Civil Division

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Health insurance

Dental & vision coverage

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Generous vacation and paid leave

Telecommuting options

Job summary

The Civil Division of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office seeks an enthusiastic and analytical attorney to join the Litigation Section, focusing on tort matters and related appeals in federal and state courts. Depending on interest, employment cases may also be handled.

The role emphasizes equity and social justice in all litigation decisions. Attorneys in this section defend King County and its employees, collaborate across the Civil Division, and may advise other departments while

Qualifications

• 5+ years of litigation experience, with tort and/or employment preferred.
• Washington State Bar admitted.
• Commitment to equity and social justice, including cultural humility development.
• Ability to lead a team on complex matters and provide strategic advice.

Responsibilities

• Litigate matters in federal and state courts, including appeals.
• Develop multi-layered strategies using negotiation, policy, legislation, litigation, and appellate practice.
• Collaborate with clients and cross‑divisional teams to advance the county’s objectives.
• Address issues of state and federal constitutional law and developing common law.

Skills

Team leadership

Analytical abilities

Legal research

Appellate experience

Equity & social justice

Litigation experience

Job description

Summary

The Civil Division is in search of an enthusiastic and analytical attorney to join our team in the Litigation Section, to work primarily on tort matters. Attorneys in the Litigation Section litigate cases in both federal and state court, including appeals. Depending on interest and experience, the successful candidate may also have the opportunity to work on employment cases.

The Litigation Section defends King County and King County employees and officials in lawsuits brought by current and former employees and members of the public who claim personal injury or civil rights violations under 42 USC 1983, Title VII, or the Washington Law Against Discrimination. Many of our lawsuits involve King County Metro, the Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention and the Sheriff's Office. We also give legal advice to these and other County departments. Attorneys in the Litigation Section also have opportunities to work with attorneys across the Civil Division on complex, non-tort litigation.

• 1983, Title VII, or the Washington Law Against Discrimination. Many of our lawsuits involve King County Metro, the Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention and the Sheriff's Office. We also give legal advice to these and other County departments. Attorneys in the Litigation Section also have opportunities to work with attorneys across the Civil Division on complex, non-tort litigation.

About The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

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.

Job Duties

Attorneys in the Litigation Section also litigate matters that focus on the county’s business and policy objectives in areas where the law is developing. Because this work often focuses on areas where the case law is uncertain, the attorneys work to develop multi-layered strategies using the tools of negotiation, policy, legislation, litigation, and/or appellate practice. With an emphasis on motions practice and appeals, attorneys handling these matters work closely with clients providing strategic advice, and regularly address issues of state and federal constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and developing common law.

Applicants must have a commitment to equity and social justice work, including ongoing cultural competence development.

The Litigation Section makes significant investments in its members by providing robust onboarding, training, resources, and support. The successful applicant will be expected to work in the Litigation Section for at least two years before seeking a position in another section/division.

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.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Enthusiasm, initiative, and an ability to successfully lead a team on complex matters
• Outstanding analytical abilities
• Excellent legal research and writing skills are critical; appellate experience is a plus
• Demonstrable commitment to equity and social justice, including continued development of personal cultural humility/competence
• Desire to litigate in state and federal courts
• Minimum of 5 years of litigation experience, complex, tort and/or employment preferred
• Must be Washington State Bar qualified (admitted)

Salary

$132,063 - $153,722 annually commensurate with 5 - 15 years of experience.

Special Requirements

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

Location

The Civil Division is located in the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle.

Telecommuting

Attorneys in the Civil Division 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? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

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.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

NOTE

Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.