Making a difference in our community.

Job Title: Staff Attorney, Housing Justice Project (HJP) 
Job Type: Full-time salaried position 
Salary & Benefits: Salary DOE (approx. $85,000 to $90,000), health insurance and generous leave policy
Application Deadline: Open until filled 
Start Date: February 10, 2025
 
Mission Statement
Central WA Legal Aid (CWLA) is an organization that serves the most vulnerable of our community by providing expedited and intensive legal advocacy and problem-solving strategies.  We strive to change the culture of the legal field by prioritizing and understanding the populations we serve.

Nature of Work and Position Duties 

The primary responsibility of the HJP Staff Attorney will be to represent low-income tenants in unlawful detainer cases. More specifically, the HJP Staff Attorney will be expected to work with CWLA staff and volunteers to provide professional, client-centered representation to low-income individuals facing eviction-related issues in Yakima and Kittitas County Superior Courts.

Essential HJP Staff Attorney Functions
• Prepare and manage a high-volume caseload requiring frequent negotiations with opposing parties and court appearances.
• Develop and maintain relationships with opposing counsel, the court, and the community.
• Use, participate in, and cooperate with other programs operated by CWLA to improve existing legal services

Experience and Qualifications
• Licensed to practice law in Washington.
• Knowledge of Washington housing law, or a commitment to learn this specialized field.
• Litigation and direct client management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with low-income clients, individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds, survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, or individuals from historically marginalized and oppressed communities preferred.
• Established commitment to providing legal assistance to low-income clients preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with others preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Zoom, and LegalServer or similar case management software preferred.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described above are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time; interact with computer screens and manipulate essential computer components (i.e., mouse and keyboard). Mobility around the office, and abilities to bend/stoop, push/pull, and perform unassisted lifting consistent with the job duties are required.

To Apply
For consideration, submit a resume to Quinn Dalan, Executive Director, at director@cwlegalaid.org.

CWLA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetics, disability, veteran status, citizenship or immigration status. In addition to federal law requirements, CWLA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Saul Tilden was named as a 2024 Volunteer of the Year at the Justice Gala on September 6, 2024.  Saul is an attorney at Stokes Lawrence, P.S.  Saul has volunteered for Central WA Legal Aid since 2020 and has donated over 40 pro bono hours to serving our clients.  In 2024, he worked with Esmeralda Mora, Pro Bono Program Coordinator, to create a wills clinic where he gave a general presentation and followed up by creating wills and estate planning documents for individuals who attended the presentation.  Saul was nominated for his positive volunteer spirit and his dedication to pro bono.

When we asked Saulto tell us more about himself and his motivation to make an impact at CWLA, he said:

1.      What motivated you to become an attorney? Originally, I was planning to be an environmental lawyer.  I wanted to make a positive difference in the world while doing work that I found engaging, and that seemed like a good way to do it. 

2.      What is the most challenging part of your profession? Delivering bad news to clients.  You can’t win them all, but that doesn’t make it easier when you have to let a client know that you didn’t get the result you wanted or that they might not have any good options to begin with. 

3.      What is the most rewarding part of your career? Having the chance to get to know people in our community and then being able to put my legal training to use to help them out.

4.      What does professional responsibility mean to you? Professional responsibility means that once you take a client on, their problems become your problems and you have a responsibility to them to approach their problem with the same care and effort you’d put forth if the problem were your own or that of a friend or family member.

5.      What inspires you to volunteer? We have a great community, but like most communities, we have a whole lot of people in need.  There is such a high barrier to access the legal services and it feels important to do what I can to help lower that barrier, when possible.

6.      In what ways has volunteering for CWLA benefited you?  It’s been very personally rewarding.  The work I do volunteering for CWLA is without a doubt the work that makes me feel the most fulfilled and the most like I’m making a positive difference in the world.  That isn’t always the case in my day-to-day work, so I’m thankful I can get that sense of satisfaction from my work with CWLA.  It’s also been a great way to get to know the CWLA team and more of the Yakima Valley legal community.

7.      What is your most memorable case/client while volunteering? My most memorable experience was probably helping to put on a recent Will clinic with CWLA.  It was very satisfying to work with the CWLA team to help plan the clinic and see it through to the finish.   

8.      What do you appreciate about your community? The people and the natural environment.  I moved from Western Washington to start my career here, and it was initially a pretty big adjustment. However, Yakima is full of so many wonderful people from so many different backgrounds who all come together to make it the incredibly special community that it is.  It didn’t take long for it to feel like a new home. I’ll also never get tired of all the beautiful rivers, orchards, hills, and mountains.

9.      What advice can you give young attorneys who are interested in volunteering for CWLA? Reach out! Volunteering for CWLA is not only rewarding but also a great way to broaden your experience as a young attorney. 

10.     Side question: How do you like to spend your day off? Mostly just relaxing with my wife and our two dogs, Nisa and Charlie.  Other than that, depending on the season, running, biking, snowboarding, and watching the Seahawks, Huskies, and Mariners.

Jon Seitz was named as a 2024 Volunteer of the Year at the Justice Gala on September 6, 2024.  Jon is a partner at Hawley Troxell and has volunteer for CWLA since 2014 and increased his donated pro bono hours in 2020, including lending his expertise to trainings for landlord/tenant volunteer attorneys through our Housing Justice Project. 

In November 2023, CWLA received a phone call from Representative Corry because a constituent had reached out for legal assistance.  The City of Yakima was declaring his property a nuisance and had filed a court case against him.  He owned his home, but only received about $300 in social security every month.  He had been slowly taking loads to the dump when he could afford the fees.  Jon agreed to take the case knowing that he had to appear at a hearing on the case that afternoon and has been representing him since November.  The property has been cleaned up and vehicles are now working and in proper order.  We are so grateful for Jon's work in making sure this client had access to justice and an opportunity to be heard and to address the allegations.  

When we asked Jon to tell us more about himself and his motivation to make an impact at CWLA, he said:

1.      What motivated you to become an attorney?  I’ve always enjoyed helping and assisting others.  I was also quite motivated by the fact that I was living in my parents basement after having obtained my masters degree with few job prospects.

2.      What is the most challenging part of your profession?  Time and stress management.

3.      What is the most rewarding part of your career?  Helping people reach a solution to their legal problems, building longstanding connections with clients, and the professional camaraderie among our local bar members.

4.      What does professional responsibility mean to you?  It means more than what the Rules of Professional Conduct capture.  Professional responsibility means dedication to the practice, ongoing learning, developing and maintaining credibility as a professional, and earning and keeping the trust of the clients we represent.

5.      What inspires you to volunteer?  I think we all have a call within us to help out and lend our time and talents.  I find inspiration to answer that call because I know that it feels good volunteer and step outside of my own responsibilities to help out.

6.      In what ways has volunteering for CWLA benefited you?  It’s provided the opportunity to share my time and talents as a legal professional to assist people in need of legal services.

7.      What is your most memorable case/client while volunteering?  I’m still working it!  But the case is nearing conclusion, and it should end with a good result for both parties.

8.      What do you appreciate about your community?  I appreciate the generosity of the larger Yakima community, and I think that is highlighted with the pro bono work that our colleagues in the legal community perform.

9.      What advice can you give young attorneys who are interested in volunteering for CWLA?  Dive in – the water’s fine!  Seriously, though, you can help and you will make a difference.  You do not have to take on a high-stakes, complex, class-action lawsuit.  It will be an opportunity to learn something new, it will boost your confidence, and you will feel an intrinsic satisfaction that comes from doing something good.

10.     Side question: How do you like to spend your day off?  I’m not sure I know what a day off is.  When I occasionally have one, I enjoy spending it with my lovely wife, especially camping and hiking in remote parts of our favorite wilderness area.