Description:

DBL Business & Immigration Law is seeking an Associate Attorney with civil litigation experience to join our Bellevue practice.

We offer something that can be difficult to find in private practice: interesting and substantive litigation work, meaningful responsibility, direct client relationships, and a genuinely manageable billable-hour expectation.

Our associates are expected to bill approximately 1,200–1,400 hours annually. We believe attorneys can provide excellent representation, build their skills, and develop lasting client relationships without making work their entire life.

This position is particularly well suited for an attorney with approximately 3–5 years of experience who is ready to take greater ownership of cases and wants the independence of a smaller firm while still having the support of an experienced legal team.

The Position:
Your primary focus will be civil and business litigation. You will work directly with clients and have meaningful involvement in your cases from initial evaluation through resolution.

Depending on your experience, your responsibilities will include:

Managing civil and business litigation matters
Evaluating claims, defenses, and litigation strategy
Drafting complaints, answers, motions, briefs, declarations, and other pleadings
Preparing and responding to written discovery
Reviewing and analyzing documents, business records, and financial records
Conducting legal research and preparing persuasive written arguments
Preparing for and taking or defending depositions
Appearing at hearings and other court proceedings
Preparing for mediation, arbitration, and trial
Negotiating directly with opposing counsel
Advising clients regarding litigation strategy, risk, settlement, and practical business considerations
Working with and delegating appropriate responsibilities to legal assistants and support staff

Because DBL also maintains an active business practice, you may have opportunities to work on contracts, commercial leases, negotiations, business transactions, and general counsel matters for our business clients.

Who we are looking for:
We are looking for an attorney who enjoys litigation, writes well, exercises sound judgment, and is comfortable taking responsibility for moving cases forward.

The ideal candidate will have:

Admission to the Washington State Bar
Approximately 3–5 years of attorney experience
Meaningful experience with civil, commercial, or business litigation
Strong legal research and persuasive writing skills
Experience drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Good organizational and case-management skills
The ability to communicate effectively and professionally with clients and opposing counsel
The judgment to work independently while also knowing when collaboration is valuable

Experience taking depositions, arguing motions, participating in mediation or arbitration, or preparing cases for trial is highly valued.

We will also consider an attorney with somewhat less experience who has a strong litigation foundation, excellent writing skills, and is ready for greater responsibility.