General Counsel

Salary Range: $147,778 to $147,778 + Washington State Employee Benefits
FLSA - Full-time, 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:

The General Counsel for the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) is an integral member of the organization's executive leadership team. Within the Office of General Counsel, this position manages WSBA’s legal affairs and administers the adjudicative portion of the lawyer discipline. This position is a primary business partner in matters related to the General Counsel and works in conjunction with the Executive Director, Executive Leadership, Board of Governors, and other external stakeholders.

Position Summary:

• You will provide expert and proven legal counsel to the WSBA, including the Board of Governors, the Executive Director, and WSBA staff.
• You will manage the legal affairs of the WSBA, including litigation, contract review, policy maintenance, and compliance issues.
• You will be responsible for managing and ensuring the integrity of the adjudicative aspects of WSBA’s regulatory work, which includes overseeing the work of staff supporting the Disciplinary Board, the Chief Hearing Officer and the Hearing Officer Panel, Conflicts Review Officers and Disability Counsel, and the Character and Fitness Board.
• The General Counsel and their team of Assistant General Counsels, Paralegals, etc., support other committees, boards and panels as assigned by the Executive Director, which includes the Lawyers Fund for Client Protection and the Court Rules Committee.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide legal counsel and advice to the organization:

• Provides legal counsel and advice to the WSBA, including the Board of Governors, Executive Director, and WSBA directors and employees on all areas of law including (without limitation) compliance with purposes of the WSBA, employment, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Washington State Law Against Discrimination issues, antitrust, constitutional, contracts, records retention and production, intellectual property, and liability defense.
• Provide legal counsel and advice to WSBA Committees, Sections, Boards, Task Forces and other WSBA entities as needed, including providing consultation and risk analysis for proposals and other matters coming to the Board of Governors or Executive Director for action.
• Drafting or reviewing legal briefs and memos; directing, reviewing and overseeing legal research on issues and cases relevant to WSBA; representing WSBA and/or WSBA entities, volunteers and employees in litigation relating to WSBA activities; and coordinating association with outside counsel as needed.
• Providing legal advice and counsel and Bylaw interpretation to the Board of Governors, Executive Director and Executive Leadership Team and other staff as requested or required, preparing or reviewing memos prepared by others for the Board of Governors, attending Board of Governors meetings and reviewing minutes from those meetings.
• Either directly or indirectly reviewing contracts involving the WSBA and overseeing the storage and management of those contracts.
• Reviewing WSBA publications and counseling and advising on legal issues including intellectual property rights, defamation and libel.
• Supervise and/or draft and review, proposed court rules concerning the practice of law including the General Rules, Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct, Rules of Professional Conduct, and others as appropriate.

Manage the staff, operations and activities of the Office of General Counsel (OGC):

• Perform all management and leadership functions regarding the personnel that sit within the General Counsel Department (Assistant General Counsels, Paralegals, and Administrative Support, etc.
• Provide leadership, strategic vision, and oversight to ensure the work of the Office of General Counsel is carried out with excellence, unity, integrity and joy consistent with WSBA’s pillars of culture. This work includes

1. Litigation, contract review and maintenance, records retention and production, policy development and maintenance, risk management and compliance, and overseeing WSBA’s insurance coverage in consultation with the Board, Executive Director, Director of Finance, and broker-of-record.
2. Management and support of the adjudicative aspects of WSBA’s regulatory work, including counsel to the Disciplinary Board, Review Committees, Chief Hearing Officer, and Hearing Officer Panel; Counsel to Conflicts Review Officers and Disability Counsel;maintenance of WSBA’s public disciplineand disability proceeding records; managing filings for the adjudicative side of the lawyer discipline system; support of the Discipline Selection Panel; and Counsel to the Character and Fitness Board.
3. Providing leadership, administration, and support to various task forces, committees, boards and panels as assigned by the Executive Director, including the Practice of Law Board Administrator, the Court Rules Committee, and the Lawyers Fund for Client Protection.

Serve as a member of the WSBA’s Safety Team, which monitors and responds to safety incidents:

Education Required:

Position’s Experience Required, Experience Preferred, and Competencies Required are found > here.

Working Conditions:

This is a Hybrid position that requires on-site presence at the WSBA office but can occasionally work remotely. It must be flexible to work in office or travel within WA state as deemed necessary, or as required. 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

• Medical benefits (including Vision & Rx) through the WA Healthcare Authority, with WSBA paying a majority of the premium cost.

• 100% paid premiums for employee Dental

• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance Plans

• Generous Paid Time Off Benefits (sick, vacation, holiday, float, emergency leave)

• Transportation incentives, *based on a primary work selection requirements

• Allowance to set up a home office, *based on a Remote work selection option

• Free Employee Assistance Program, and National Employee Discount Program

• A company culture that truly focuses on a quality Work and Life Balance for its Staff

• You will be working with a team of supportive, collaborative, creative, and dedicated colleagues driven to accomplish WSBA’s Mission

For consideration and to apply, interested candidates must apply online here and submit the following required materials: online application, and 1) a comprehensive professional cover letter, 2) resume, and a 3) writing sample. Applications submitted without a cover letter will be considered incomplete. WSBA Staff must be authorized and approved to work in the United States, upon hire. 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.

(Rev. 01/01/2023) Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Compensation Philosophy and Compensation Grid