Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Paralegal III
Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) – Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)

Salary Range: $64,464 to $64,464 + Washington State Employee Benefits and Retirement
FLSA - Full-time, Non-Exempt

The WSBA's mission is to serve the public and the members of the Bar, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession, and to champion justice.

Purpose and Position Summary:

The Paralegal III within the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) primarily provides support and assistance to the ODC lawyers in investigating and prosecuting grievances against licensed legal professionals for alleged acts of misconduct.

They assist in administering departmental programs and responsibilities (such as costs, probations, and discipline histories) and provide other administrative support to the ODC management team. This position will assist with more complex cases and other matters and has major responsibilities for administrative tasks in the office.

This role works largely independently, particularly in analyzing and recommending solutions to complex legal issues and assisting disciplinary counsel in strategic planning and decision making. They are responsible for one or more administrative functions or project areas in ODC, will train and mentor less experienced paralegals, and has substantial experience and expertise in the litigation support role.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Performs Paralegal duties as assigned by the Department Administrator and/or Disciplinary Counsel.

• Works with Department Administrator to establish case management strategies and consults with the Department Administrator regarding investigation and proceeding progress and docket management.
• Reviews often voluminous grievance files and other evidence to summarize the relevant facts and potential issues for disciplinary counsel and to identify especially important supporting documents, all of which assists disciplinary counsel to resolve the grievance in a timely and efficient manner.
• Performs legal research and reviews and analyzes the facts and law of a case. Research requires the ability to identify legal issues and find relevant case law which is on point and/or that covers the principle or issue that will control a pending case. This requires knowledge of law libraries, Internet legal research sites, and Lexis/Nexis.
• Retrieves and researches court files at the various courthouses in the downtown area, as well as retrieving information or researching issues at the downtown libraries to assist disciplinary counsel in completing the investigation of grievances. Retrieves court and other public records available electronically. Provides other research and semi-investigative assistance to disciplinary counsel which may include assisting in interviews of or other communications with witnesses, drafting investigative subpoenas, obtaining medical records, obtaining agency records, etc.
• May assist in interviews of or other communications with witnesses and grievants in order to establish the facts of an investigation or in preparation for drafting a witness declaration, or for taking testimony at hearing; makes arrangements for depositions, and prepares questions, outlines, exhibits, or aids for use of disciplinary counsel in deposing witnesses, communicates with all participants in the proceeding to keep them apprised of hearing dates and of the status of the matter; reviews and summarizes transcripts of testimony.
• Drafts for review by disciplinary counsel pleadings and other legal documents needed for the prosecution of ethical misconduct charges such as briefs, petitions, formal complaints, discovery responses, motions, declarations, witness and exhibit disclosures, reports to the Disciplinary Board, requests for information, notices, subpoenas, etc.
• Provides litigation and hearing support to assure the timely and accurate processing of formal disciplinary charges and the efficient conduct of disciplinary hearings, including finding, organizing, marking, and preparing documents to be used as exhibits in hearings or depositions; ensuring documents are properly filed and served, and sent to all intended recipients; organizing files; creating timelines or other demonstrative aids and outlines and preparing PowerPoint presentations as directed by disciplinary counsel; making facility and court reporter arrangements as needed (particularly for out-of-town hearings), carrying materials to and from the hearing room, arranging for work by staff at the office, and making phone calls as needed during the hearing; acting as “clerk” in marking exhibits and recording their admission or rejection, taking notes during hearing, and conferring with disciplinary counsel on events at hearing to assist in formulating trial strategy.

Assist in administration of departmental programs and responsibilities

• As assigned by the Director or Associate Director, assists in the administration of departmental programs and responsibilities, such as the collection of disciplinary costs, administrating disciplinary probation files, and researching and preparing discipline history reports on WSBA licensees.

Other Duties as Assigned.

Education Required:

• Paralegal Degree or Certificate; or comparable degree in a related field of work.

Education Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree (B.A., B.S.)

Experience Required:

• Minimum of 3 years Paralegal experience, to include advanced document drafting, legal research, and data management; Experience navigating law libraries and conducting Internet legal research, and research on Westlaw or Lexis Nexis

Experience Preferred:

• Advanced legal research skills for identifying legal issues and finding relevant case law, court rules, and statutes that are on point and/or cover the principle or issue
• Previous employment in a Paralegal position in a law office or in a government or regulatory environment

Competencies (Skills/Abilities) Required:

• A commitment to strengthening the WSBA by helping it reach mission-driven outcomes for the public and its members.
• Enthusiastic about helping to foster a culture of inclusion, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Excellent analytical, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize, work efficiently, and use good judgment
• Excellent reading and writing skills, and attention to detail.
• Excellent presentation and oral and written communication skills
• Experienced in working large complex electronic case files
• General knowledge of legal procedures (will train regarding WSBA’s discipline procedures)
• Proficiency with Internet research, legal research systems, court databases, etc.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of information
• Possess a strong teamwork mentality and philosophy
• High level of professionalism and appropriate social skills to maintain relations and in dealing with the public, WSBA Members, legal professionals, clients, WSBA staff, and WSBA leadership
• Basic ability to operate photocopiers, scanners, and other standard office equipment.
• Advanced ability to use computers and applications, including Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, etc.), Microsoft 365 applications (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.), Adobe Acrobat, electronic case and document management systems, and electronic legal research platforms, particularly Lexis/Nexis.
• Possess a strong technical aptitude to quickly learn new technology, and existing WSBA systems, programs, software, and Microsoft Co-pilot.

Competencies (Skills/Abilities Preferred):

• Familiarity with Blue Book and creating Tables of Authorities
• Editorial/proofreading skills

Working Conditions:

This position, while primarily remote within Washington State, must be flexible to work in office (Seattle, WA) and travel within WA state as deemed necessary, or as required. This position may also have the option to work in-office. For remote work, must have an adequate home/work environment and internet access, for performing work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature.

Employment with the Washington State Bar Association mandates that WSBA Staff must reside within the State of Washington at the time of hire, and during active employment status.

The essential functions of the job that must be performed, with or without a reasonable accommodation: This position must be able to regularly work five days per week in an office type environment (remote or in office), possess the ability to primarily sit/stand and use a computer, and lift/push/pull items weighing up to 25 pounds. Must be able to operate a computer keyboard, and other standard office equipment (e.g., printer/scanner/fax/telephone). This position must be able to read, write, and speak with others in English.

WSBA Benefits Include :

• State of Washington Retirement system (DRS/PERS), including an optional Deferred Compensation Plan (DRS/DCP).
• Medical benefits (including Rx) through the WA Healthcare Authority, with WSBA paying a majority of the premium cost.
• 100% paid premiums for employee Dental and Vision
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance Plans
• Generous Paid Time Off Benefits (sick, vacation, holiday, float, emergency leave)
• Transportation incentives, *based on primary work selection requirements.
• Allowance to set up a home office, *based on a primary remote work selection.
• Free Employee Assistance Program, and National Employee Discount Program
• You will be working with a team of supportive, collaborative, creative, and dedicated colleagues driven to accomplish WSBA’s Mission
• A company culture that truly focuses on a quality Work and Life Balance for its Staff through our 4 Pillars: 1) Excellence (Mission-driven results), 2) Unity (Team-driven results), 3) Integrity (Value-driven results), and 4 JOY! (People-driven culture).

For consideration and to apply: interested candidates are required to apply online and submit the following required materials: both a comprehensive professional cover letter and resume. Applications submitted without a cover letter will be considered incomplete.

WSBA Staff must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis, upon hire. This position is not eligible for Sponsorship.

WSBA administers pre-employment background screening upon a contingent verbal offer, and prior to hire.

The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) operates under the delegated authority of the Washington Supreme Court and exercises a governmental function authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to license and regulate the state’s nearly 40,000 legal professionals, including lawyers, limited practice officers, and limited license legal technicians. The WSBA both regulates legal professionals under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association — all without public funding. The WSBA administers the bar admission process, including the bar exam; provides record-keeping and licensing functions; administers the lawyer discipline system. and provides continuing legal education for legal professionals, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities.

The WSBA is committed to fostering a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The statements contained in this job announcement are not necessarily all-inclusive; additional duties may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.

Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Benefit Summary, Compensation Philosophy and Compensation Grid

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office, Remote work, Work from home, Home office, Trial period, Flexible hours,

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