Trial Attorney

PATTERSON BUCHANAN FOBES LEITCH, INC., PS; Tacoma (WA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off and paid holidays

Professional dues and CLE reimbursemen

Bonus opportunities

Hybrid work flexibility

Job summary

Patterson Buchanan Fobes & Leitch, Inc. P.S. (PBFL) seeks a Litigation Attorney with 5–10 years of civil litigation experience to join our Seattle or Tacoma team. You will represent clients in state and federal courts, manage discovery, and draft pleadings.

This role offers a collaborative environment with mentoring and opportunities to handle sophisticated matters involving public sector and institutional clients across Washington.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active Washington State Bar Association membership.
• 5 to 10 years of civil litigation experience.
• Experience handling motion practice, depositions, hearings, and case management.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of civil litigation from inception through trial and appeal.
• Represent clients in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, mediations, and arbitrations.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, and other litigation documents.
• Conduct and defend depositions and manage discovery processes.
• Develop litigation strategies and provide practical legal advice to clients.
• Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff to achieve successful outcomes.
• Maintain strong client relationships through exceptional service and communication.
• Advise clients on dispute resolution, risk management, and legal compliance matters.

Skills

Civil litigation experience

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Advocacy skills

Case management

Interpersonal skills

Client relationship management

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Litigation Attorney (5-10 Years Experience)

Locations: Downtown Seattle, WA and Tacoma, WA

Position Type: Full-Time

About Patterson Buchanan Fobes & Leitch

Patterson Buchanan Fobes & Leitch, Inc. P.S. (PBFL) is a respected Pacific Northwest law firm with offices in Seattle and Tacoma. For decades, we have provided sophisticated legal counsel and litigation services to a broad range of clients, including public entities, school districts, municipalities, corporations, and religious institutions.

Our attorneys are known for delivering practical, strategic, and client-focused solutions to complex legal challenges. We foster a collaborative and collegial environment where attorneys have meaningful opportunities for professional growth, direct client contact, and courtroom experience. Our work is challenging, impactful, and rooted in a commitment to serving the organizations that help shape our communities.

Position Overview

Patterson Buchanan Fobes & Leitch is seeking an experienced Litigation Attorney with 5 to 10 years of civil litigation experience to join our growing team. The successful candidate will represent clients in a wide variety of litigation matters and serve as a trusted advisor to public and private organizations throughout Washington State.

This position may be based in either our Downtown Seattle or Tacoma office and offers the opportunity to work on sophisticated matters involving public sector and institutional clients.

Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of civil litigation from case inception through trial and appeal.
• Represent clients in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, mediations, and arbitrations.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, and other litigation documents.
• Conduct and defend depositions and manage discovery processes.
• Develop litigation strategies and provide practical legal advice to clients.
• Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff to achieve successful outcomes.
• Maintain strong client relationships through exceptional service and communication.
• Advise clients on dispute resolution, risk management, and legal compliance matters.

Qualifications

Required

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
• 5 to 10 years of civil litigation experience.
• Demonstrated experience handling motion practice, depositions, hearings, and case management.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to independently manage complex litigation matters.
• Excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills.

Preferred

• Experience representing school districts, educational institutions, governmental entities, municipalities, corporations, or religious institutions.
• Trial experience.
• Experience in employment litigation, constitutional law, education law, public entity defense, or other related civil litigation practice areas.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships and contribute to business development efforts.

Why Join PBFL?

• Work with a highly respected civil litigation team serving prominent public and private clients throughout Washington.
• Meaningful and challenging work with direct client interaction and responsibility.
• Collaborative and supportive culture that values mentorship and professional development.
• Opportunities for advancement and leadership within the firm.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible work environment with offices in both Seattle and Tacoma.

Salary Range: $145,000 - $180,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated litigation experience. Performance-based bonus and billable hours bonus.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Professional dues and CLE reimbursement
• Bonus opportunities
• Hybrid work flexibility

Patterson Buchanan Fobes & Leitch is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Location: Downtown Seattle or Tacoma, Washington

Experience Required: 5-10 Years

License Required: Washington State Bar Association Membership in Good Standing