Summary
Civil Survival is looking for a legal assistant to assist formerly incarcerated individuals across Washington State who face legal barriers to successful reentry into the community.
Civil Survival’s legal assistant will work with attorneys representing clients in a variety of legal matters, including relief from legal financial obligations (LFOs), vacating unconstitutional drug convictions under State v. Blake, vacating criminal record, and relief from registration for clients convicted of sex offenses. In
supporting Civil Survival’s direct representation, the legal assistant will have a range of responsibilities including communicating with clients, researching court procedures and rules, preparing and filing pleadings, and obtaining records.
The legal assistant will work on a dynamic team that uses creativity, collaboration, and technology to provide high-quality representation to clients. In supporting this work, the legal assistant will manage and continuously seek to improve Civil Survival’s case and file management systems with the goal of allowing Civil Survival to serve as many clients as possible.
Civil Survival is committed to maintaining a staff that reflects the diversity of experiences of the communities we work with. People of color, those directly impacted by the criminal legal system, people who identify as LGBTQIA2S+, people who are fluent in languages other than English, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. We envision this position as an opportunity for people, including those with lived experience, to begin a career in legal aid and advocacy. A successful legal assistant will have opportunities to grow into other positions with Civil Survival.
Organization Description
Civil Survival organizes system-impacted people, provides legal representation, and advocates for policy reform to restore opportunity to communities harmed by the criminal legal system. We envision a world without incarceration, where people are not limited by their pasts and are valued for their humanity. Civil Survival was founded by people harmed by the criminal legal system to advocate for each other. Our foundational commitment to build an organization made up of members of the communities remains at the core of our identity. Most of Civil Survival’s staff identify as people of color and most have been arrested or incarcerated.
Civil Survival’s commitments to anti-racist and trauma-informed principles are centered in every aspect of our work. We offer regular race-equity and trauma-informed leadership training to all staff and ground all organizational decision-making in an anti-racist, equity-focused lens. Our leadership philosophy is rooted in the recognition that we all are continuing to grow and learn, and that can only be accomplished with regular feedback, especially from staff to leadership. We are deeply committed to transparent decision-making that centers the perspectives of all members of our team.
These values and commitments have allowed us to increase access to opportunity for those harmed by the criminal legal system. We have done this by:
Job Description
The legal assistant will work under the direction of their assigned attorneys for client work and will generally be supervised by a senior attorney. The legal assistant will work on a team, which currently includes three staff attorneys, two senior attorneys, and one other legal assistant. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Qualifications
Location
All Civil Survival staff work remotely. In-person work will periodically be required to file documents, attend events such as court hearings, in-person legal clinics, meetings, and organizational retreats. Travel within Washington will be required periodically, and costs associated with that travel will be paid for by Civil Survival. Applicants from all parts of Washington State are encouraged to apply, especially those in rural counties.
Compensation
The salary range is $51,358.43 to $ 73,099.06/year ($24.69 to $33.76/hour) depending on experience. The legal assistant will work 40 hours per week. Within the salary range for the position, salary increases up to 4% annually, depending on performance. An additional annual cost of living increase is provided at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. Benefits include:
Civil Survival is committed to expanding opportunity to people directly impacted by the criminal legal system. For individuals without college education or professional training, we will provide the training and education needed to succeed in this role and grow with Civil Survival. This includes mentorship from an experienced senior attorney and, as appropriate, funding to attend legal/assistant paralegal classes,
community college classes, and other professional development opportunities.
Benefits are provided consistent with current organizational policies and are subject to change. This is a Fair Labor Standards Act non-exempt, at-will position. Continuation in the position depends on both performance and funding.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Civil Survival is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. Civil Survival actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork, and productivity. We are committed to maintaining an organization whose staff, Board and clients are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious affiliation, marital status, sexual identity, sensory, mental or physical abilities, veteran status, and other qualities that strengthen the program while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact Teresa Groves (she/her) at ------------ or (206)484-4755.
How to Apply
Please submit the following to Teresa Groves at ------------ by Monday, February 5, 2024 at 11:59 pm. Applications submitted through LinkedIn, Indeed, or any other job posting site will not be accepted. The email subject line should clearly reference “Civil Survival Legal Assistant.”