Regional Counsel

## MALDEF Regional Counsel – Seattle

**MALDEF** is the nation’s leading non-profit Latino civil rights law firm. Founded in 1968, MALDEF works to safeguard the civil rights of Latinos and to increase the community’s ability to participate fully in American society.

We are currently seeking a dynamic **Regional Counsel** to serve as the first leader of our new Seattle office, to pursue civil rights litigation, to act as day‑to‑day supervisor of the regional staff, to represent MALDEF in the region, and to help determine the litigation and advocacy needs of the region in order to develop plans and strategies to advance and protect the civil rights of Latinos.

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### Job Responsibilities

The Regional Counsel is responsible for the daily operations and overall management of the regional office.

Within MALDEF’s designated program areas, the Regional Counsel works with the President and General Counsel, Director of Litigation, staff attorneys, and other Regional Counsels to determine the litigation and public policy advocacy priorities for the Northwest regional office.

Responsibilities include:

– Initiating and conducting litigation and providing regular guidance on legal issues, strategies, and points of law to regional office staff.
– Maintaining a docket of active litigation and directly participating in complex civil rights cases in multiple program areas.
– Providing general supervision, guidance, and training to regional office staff to ensure that:
– appropriate investigations are initiated and conducted,
– litigation is warranted, well thought‑out, and effectively conducted,
– advocacy positions and papers are well researched and effectively written and/or delivered,
– community education programs are successfully implemented.
– Supervising and managing the performance of regional office staff including attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff.
– Acting as a MALDEF spokesperson for the region to the media and at special events or forums.
– Developing and maintaining a network of ties to other organizations and coalitions to further ongoing litigation and public policy advocacy.
– Assisting Development staff and the President and General Counsel in coordinating fundraising activities for the Seattle office.

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### Qualifications and Experience

– Juris Doctor or equivalent degree required.
– Active bar membership in one or more states required.
– Eligibility for active bar membership in Washington required.
– Bar membership in another Western state is desirable.
– At least five years of progressively responsible experience in civil rights and public interest law required.
– Of this experience, at least three years must involve litigation of complex or class action cases in federal and/or state courts.
– One year must involve supervision of legal, paralegal, and clerical personnel.

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### Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

– Excellent research, writing, and communication skills required.
– Knowledge and awareness of local, regional, and national issues affecting the Latino community.
– Knowledge of civil rights policy and law, immigration policy and law, voting rights policy and law, and/or education policy and law is desirable.
– Ability to supervise legal, non‑legal, and administrative staff in a way that fosters effective teamwork.
– Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is preferred.
– Willingness and ability to engage in local and national travel as needed.

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### Compensation

**$105,500 – $131,300+ per year.**
Fixed salary scale commensurate with years of legal experience.

MALDEF offers a generous benefits package including:

– 100% employer‑paid medical, dental, and vision for the employee and qualified dependent family members
– Short‑ and long‑term disability insurance
– Term life insurance
– 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution and match
– Employee assistance plan
– 11 paid holidays
– 20 days of personal time off (PTO) per year

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### How to Apply

Send cover letter, résumé, and a **3–5 page writing sample** by email to: **[email protected]**

For ease of processing, please title your email:

**Your Name – SEA Regional Counsel**

Attachments should be in **.doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt, or .pdf** format.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

**Position Open Until Filled.**
**Equal Opportunity Employer**

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For more information, visit: **[www.maldef.org]**
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