Staff Attorney - Legal Counsel for Youth and Children

Agency Name: Legal Counsel for Youth and Children

Position / Job Title : Staff Attorney

Location: King County, WA

Category : Attorney 

Job Description: ATTORNEY POSITION
King County, WA
Full-time, exempt

SUMMARY:
LCYC seeks a passionate, collaborative, and innovative attorney, committed to social justice and
anti-racism, to provide direct representation, community outreach, and education to young people,
ages 12-24 years, who are survivors of gender-based violence or domestic violence or are unstably
housed in King County. Applicants must be a member of the Washington State Bar Association or
qualify for admission by motion from another state under Washington State Court rule APR 3(c)(1).

This position is based in King County. LCYC is a virtual non-profit. The attorney will work from home
and spend most of their time in the King County community – meeting with clients and community
partners in schools, shelters, and at court. The attorney may represent young people on a wide range
of civil legal issues including, but not limited to minor guardianships, orders of protection, housing
access, eviction prevention, record-sealing, legal financial obligations, name and gender marker
changes, family law, emancipations, navigating child welfare systems, Special Immigrant Juvenile
Status, and public benefits. 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 youth access to justice. Additionally, the attorney will be responsible for
outreach, partner relationships and generating referrals in King County.

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 $69,000 - $90,100, 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 King County.
• Active member of the Washington State Bar Association or qualify for admission by motion from
another state under Washington State Court rule APR 3(c)(1).
• Demonstrated commitment to LCYC’s mission of protecting the interest and safety of youth in
Washington by advancing their legal rights.
• 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, community, and organization.
• 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.
• 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 Spanish is highly valued.

JOB DUTIES:
The staff attorney in King County will undertake a range of duties including, but not limited to the
list below.
• Conduct onsite and virtual intake for youth ages 12 -24 years who are or are at risk of becoming
homeless. Onsite intake is conducted regularly at local shelter(s), drop-in center(s), and
school(s). Intake times may fall outside of usual business hours. Attorneys also process phone and
e-mail intakes for new referrals.
• Initiate and continue outreach with community partners.
• Provide youth with legal advice, referrals, mediation, and in-court representation as needed on a
variety of legal matters including, but not limited to minor guardianships, orders of protection,
housing access, eviction prevention, record-sealing, legal financial obligations, name and gender
marker changes, family law, emancipations, navigating child welfare systems, Special Immigrant
Juvenile Status, and public benefits. 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 cross-examine witnesses.
• Partner with local community service providers, school staff, shelter staff, court staff, young
people, and LCYC Director of Legal Services 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 an LCYC Director or Supervisor.
• Participate in weekly meetings with the Youth Homelessness Program 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.
• 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, identity group conversations, and project
specific workgroups 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. LCYC
will continue to adapt our policies in line with public health recommendations and our legal
responsibilities to young people we represent. The attorney is expected to remain in King County and
work from there. All LCYC staff are required to provide proof of vaccination for COVID 19.

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 community partners to ensure that the legal and non-legal needs of the youth are met.

LCYC empowers youth by helping them understand and engage in complex legal systems that impact
their lives and their families. We help youth understand and assess legal issues, options, potential
consequences, and opportunities, before the youth determines the path forward.

LCYC is a team of supportive, creative, risk-taking, and flexible attorneys seeking to disrupt the status
quo. We are committed to continual learning. An essential part of that learning must be centered on
anti-racism within ourselves, our organization, and the systems we encounter as advocates for young
people. We are willing to fail forward, make mistakes and learn, and embrace change. We believe
humor and teamwork are critical to doing this sometimes incredibly difficult work.

TO APPLY:
Please submit a letter of interest, resume, brief writing sample, and list of three references to
Naomi Strand (she/her) at naomi@lcycwa.org.

For your application to be considered, please include a response to the following question in your
cover letter: How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or
otherwise, have prepared you to contribute to our commitment to anti-racism and equity
internally and externally?

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. We hope to hire as soon as possible. New hires can start
as early as March 1, 2023. This position will be left open until filled.

Link to Application:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/533dcf7ce4b0f92a7a64292e/t/63db33e47fcd16683947d943/1675310052178/LCYC+YHP+King+Attorney+Job+Posting+February+2023.pdf