Staff Attorney | Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYC)

STAFF ATTORNEY POSITION

Walla Walla, WA

Full-time, exempt

SUMMARY:

Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYC) seeks a passionate, collaborative, and innovative

advocate, committed to social justice and anti-racism, to provide direct representation, community

outreach, and education to young people 12-24 years who are or are at risk of experiencing

homelessness in Walla Walla County. Applicants must be a member of the Washington State Bar

Association currently or able to obtain membership within the next few months. The Walla Walla

attorney will be an integral member of Walla Walla’s community partners striving to end youth

homelessness, and a key player on LCYC’s advocacy team. This position is part of LCYC’s Justice

Expansion Team, which includes our work in Walla Walla, TriCities, the new Pro Bono Champions

program, and our virtual lawyering program VLAW.

This position is located in Walla Walla and the attorney is expected to live in Walla Walla County.

LCYC is a virtual non-profit – the attorney will work from home and spend most of their time in the

Walla Walla community, meeting with clients and community partners in schools, shelters, and at

court. The attorney will represent young people on a wide range of civil legal issues including, but

not limited to housing, emancipations, public benefits, employment, education, orders of

protection, family law, and medical debt. Applicants do not need existing expertise in these legal

areas, but they do need to arrive at LCYC with a commitment to continual learning.

The attorney will provide legal assistance for young people through (1) direct legal representation (2)

legal advice and consultation, and (3) legal education to youth and community partners. Working in

in collaboration with youth and community providers, the attorney will help identify and influence

systemic barriers to the elimination of youth homelessness. Additionally, the attorney will be

responsible for outreach, partner relationships and generating referrals in Walla Walla.

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVITY, EQUITY AND REPRESENTATION:

LCYC is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse staff and board reflective of

the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, those with

lived experience, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other

underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. LCYC particularly values lived experience in

our practice areas of child welfare, juvenile justice, youth and family immigration, and youth

homelessness.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This is a full-time salaried position that requires a willingness to work some evenings and weekends,

as well as occasional travel within the state. LCYC exempt employees have some flexibility in

setting their schedules each week. This flexibility allows staff to adapt the timing of their work

week with the scheduling needs of representing youth. This flexibility also allows exempt employees

to achieve better individual balance between work and home.

The salary range for the position is $65,000 - $85,000, depending on experience.

Spanish speakers are eligible for an additional $3,000 annually, beyond their set salary.

Supportive benefits include but are not limited to Flexible Time Away, medical, dental, life and

disability insurance, 403(b) plan, and paid home office needs such as laptop computer, stand-up

desk, and printer.

LCYC does not have a shared office space. All staff work from home offices. Travel for work is

compensated at the Federal reimbursement rate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to live and practice in Walla Walla County.

• Washington State Bar Membership currently or able to obtain membership within the next

few months.

• 2021 law school graduates who sat for the summer 2021 bar exam will be considered.

• Demonstrated commitment to LCYC’s mission of protecting the interest and safety of youth

in Washington by advancing their legal rights.

• Experience as a practicing attorney or law school work/internship/externship; past

experience in juvenile dependencies or related child welfare, education, public benefits,

housing, family law, immigration or indigent defense field is strongly preferred.

• Fluency in English and Spanish preferred

• Commitment to and demonstrated interest in engaging in culturally competent relationships

and applying an anti-racist lens to program operations, community partnerships, and

supporting young people.

• Demonstrated interest and ability in working with youth and families of diverse racial,

cultural, socio-economic backgrounds and inspire their confidence.

• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated.

• Ability to communicate legal concepts, options, and potential outcomes in a developmentally

appropriate manner with youth.

• Ability to work professionally with youth and diverse community partners, developing a

relationship of trust and confidence.

• Ability to be flexible, adjusting to the needs of youth and community.

• Ability to engage with the community and partners to generate referrals. Creativity and selfmotivation

in this area is highly desirable.

• Ability to create and deliver presentations to youth and community providers to form

relationships and reach potential clients.

• Committed to continual learning and responsive to feedback.

• The applicant must have a valid driver’s license and access to a car as the position involves

some travel.

JOB DUTIES:

The staff attorney in Walla Walla County will undertake a range of duties including, but not limited

to the list below.

• Conduct onsite intake for youth ages 12 -24 years who are or are at risk of becoming

homeless. Intake is conducted regularly at local shelter(s), drop-in center(s), and school(s).

Intake times may fall outside of usual business hours.

• Initiate and continue outreach with community partners.

• Provide youth with legal advice, referrals, mediation, and in-court representation as needed

on a variety of civil legal matters including, but not limited to family law, child welfare,

education, no contact orders, identification, benefits, emancipation, truancies, immigration,

consumer debt and landlord tenant issues. May also address restitution, registration for sexual

offenders, court fees, warrants and record sealing.

• Investigate each case; analyze facts in light of relevant legal considerations; conduct legal

research; prepare litigation strategy; prepare legal memoranda, motions and briefs, and

argue specific legal motions and pleadings; litigate evidentiary hearings; examine and crossexamine

witnesses.

• Partner with local community service providers, school staff, shelter staff, court staff, young

people, and LCYC Legal Supervisor on the direct delivery of services and continual

improvement of the service model and its local adaptation.

• Present trainings for community providers, school staff, shelter staff, court staff, service

providers and/or youth.

• Participate in regular case staffings with LCYC Legal Supervisor.

• Participate in weekly meeting with the Justice Expansion Team, general staff monthly

meetings and an annual retreat with all LCYC staff.

• Staff cases, problem solve, and identify trends and systemic barriers as an active member of

LCYC’s Justice Expansion Team and our Youth Homelessness Program.

• Participate in trainings to continually improve the advocacy provided to the youth LCYC

serves.

• Track time and pertinent case data from intakes and closing in LCYC’s case management

system.

• Regularly participate in all staff meetings, trainings, and identity group conversations on

equity and systemic racism.

LCYC’s services are community based, we provide onsite intake at community locations such as

shelters and schools. We meet youth in locations where they feel safe and can easily access. Due to

COVID-19, LCYC pivoted to more virtual services and will follow state guidelines. We will continue

to adapt our policies in line with public health recommendations and our legal responsibilities to

young people we represent. Regardless, the attorney is expected to remain in Walla Walla County

and work from there.

ABOUT LCYC:

LCYC protects the interests and safety of youth in Washington by advancing their legal rights. We

accomplish our mission through direct legal representation, strong community partnerships, and

systemic advocacy. We have four program areas: child welfare, juvenile court, youth and family

immigration, and youth homelessness.

LCYC provides community-based, holistic legal advocacy to expand access to justice for young

people in Washington. LCYC was created and continues to evolve in response to the community’s

needs. We meet youth where they are—geographically, developmentally, emotionally, culturally,

and linguistically. We collaborate with the youth, family members, educators, service providers, and

other