Ethics, Wellness, and Practice Program Manager & Counsel II

Salary Range: $99,092 + Washington State Employee Benefits and Retirement Plans

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt
Work Location: Hybrid within Washington State

About the role

The Ethics, Wellness, and Practice Manager & Counsel II (EWPMC) leads the Professional Responsibility Program by providing ethics guidance through CLE presentations, articles, and member consultations. The role also oversees the Member Wellness Program and the Practice Management Assistance Program, ensuring these three programs operate cohesively within the Advancement Department. The EWPMC supports daily operations, staffing, and strategic planning in collaboration with program leaders and the Advancement Director. Additionally, the position maintains national engagement to stay current on legal ethics, wellness, and practice management trends.

Responsibilities

Professional Responsibility Program

• Answer ethics inquiries from Bar members, primarily by telephone, regarding their prospective conduct (calls are primarily received on the Ethics Line). Ensure consistent, reliable, and timely coverage for the Ethics Line. Develop innovative and efficient approaches to address member ethics inquiries.
• Develop and deliver ethics-related educational materials and presentations for sponsors of legal educational programming including county bars, affinity bars, WSBA CLE, and other continuing legal education providers within the state and nationally.
• Serve as a resource in writing, research, recruiting, and presenting for WSBA-CLE, the Advancement and Communications Departments, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, the Office of General Counsel, and external groups within the state and nationally.
• Maintain a comprehensive level of proficiency in all aspects of legal ethics and professionalism by using multiple sources of information, including online legal research tools and other resources.
• Act as staff liaison to the Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE), including managing the content of the Bar online ethics opinion database, and ensuring that recommendations of the CPE are effectively and timely navigated through the approval/adoption system, including preparation of GR 9 materials and attending Board meetings.
• Act as staff liaison to other internal and external entities as assigned and serve as a member of the Advancement Leadership Team.
• Write and edit articles and develop information resources addressing lawyer ethics for publication in Washington State Bar News, NW Sidebar, and other law-related publications. This includes responsibility for planning topics for articles and advising, editing, and analyzing the content of articles written by others, and managing the content of WSBA’s Ethics/Professional Responsibility web page.

Oversight of the Practice Management Assistance Program

• Provide supervision and guidance to the Practice Management Assistance Advisor.
• In coordination with the Advancement Department Director and Practice Management Assistance Advisor, develop, implement, and oversee program-wide strategies and policies that further the mission and objectives of the program and WSBA.
• Assure proper operational/administrative support is allocated to the PMA program, serving as a backup to the PMA when necessary.

Oversight of the Member Wellness Program

• Provide supervision and guidance to the Member Wellness Program Manager.
• In coordination with the Advancement Department Director and Member Wellness Program Manager, develop, implement, and oversee program-wide strategies and policies that further the mission and objectives of the program and the WSBA.
• Collaborate with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel to ensure efficient and effective operation of the Diversion Program.
• Assure proper operational/administrative support is allocated to the MWP.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor or successful completion of the WSBA Law Clerk Program (APR 6), or other qualifying programs and licenses to practice in the State of Washington
• A minimum of 5 years legal practice experience, preferably in a variety of legal fields and different practice settings with emphasis given to solo/small firm practice (solo, small firm, large firm, government, etc.)
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in public speaking or experience in delivering continuing legal education
• 3 to 5 years’ supervisory/management experience

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Bachelor of Business Administration, with a concentration in Management
• Education or certification in mental health or wellness
• Experience with mental health, wellness, or well-being initiatives

Skills

• Clear, professional written and oral communication to a variety of audiences
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders with responsiveness and clarity
• Organizational skills with the ability to prioritize time and work, manage multiple tasks with competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Attention to detail and accuracy in all work
• Ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgement and ethics
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and the ability to learn and use new software and technology platforms including assistance in maintaining the Ethics Opinions online database
• Ability to speak in public and represent the Bar in a positive way to the membership and public
• Ability to develop collaborative working relationships to ensure smooth operation and service standards across all programs
• Understanding of solo/small firm legal practice management and legal technology and ability to stay up to date on new developments in technology

Working Conditions

• Hybrid position; job duties may be performed in person or remotely. All WSBA staff must be flexible to work in office or travel within WA state as deemed necessary, or as required.
• Employment mandates that WSBA staff must reside within the State of Washington at the time of hire and during active employment status.
• WSBA headquarters are the primary location while working for the WSBA regardless of where staff may reside within Washington.
• For remote work (if applicable), staff must have an adequate work environment and internet access for performing work of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Essential functions include the ability to regularly work WSBA’s business hours 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 use standard computer and office equipment (e.g., copiers, scanners, printers, phones, fax, etc.).

Benefits

• 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/PSSL, 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
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
• Eligible tuition assistance and continued training programs

You will be working with a team of supportive, collaborative, creative, and dedicated colleagues driven to accomplish WSBA’s Mission. The company culture focuses on a quality work and life balance through four pillars: 1) Excellence (Mission-driven results), 2) Unity (Team-driven results), 3) Integrity (Value-driven results), and 4) JOY! (People-driven culture).