Paralegal III

Salary Range: $64,464 + Washington State Employee Benefits and Retirement Plans

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

About the Role

The Regulatory Services Department (RSD) Paralegal III provides support and assistance to lawyers in the Regulatory Services Department, including matters before the Character & Fitness Board. This role involves general and legal research, writing, and analysis for lawyers and the RSD management team, as well as administrative support for regulatory and Supreme Court boards. The position also serves as Clerk to the Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) Board and the Limited Practice Board for LLLT and LPO disciplinary matters, handling complex administrative tasks and departmental responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Support administration of the LLLT Board, Limited Practice Board, and Practice of Law Board:
  • Coordinate board and subcommittee meeting and hearing schedules, including facility, travel, court reporter, and other meeting arrangements.
  • Prepare, organize, and distribute meeting materials, process expense reimbursements, and conduct expense tracking.
  • Draft agendas and correspondence, update webpages with meeting information and materials, and host/attend meetings and hearings.
  • Take notes and draft minutes, and respond to public and member inquiries via email (LLLT, LPO, UPL, and Entity Regulation mailboxes).
• Support staff liaison in administering programs under the Practice of Law Board, including the pilot project for entity regulation and complaints regarding unauthorized practice of law.
• Assist in preparing and grading limited license examinations, coordinate with exam graders, and maintain exam statistics.
• Update and maintain public records for the LLLT Board, Limited Practice Board, and Practice of Law Board, including board rosters and recruitment/appointment information.
• Provide research, drafting, and analysis support to RSD lawyers and management:
  • Review voluminous application files to summarize relevant facts and potential issues for regulatory counsel.
  • Perform legal and general research to support preparation of legal documents, reports, draft court rules, presentations, and other materials.
  • Make recommendations for strategic planning and decision-making based on research and analysis.
  • Draft documents including letters, reports, legal memoranda, pleadings, presentations, and amendments to WSBA Bylaws and court rules.
• Serve as paralegal, clerk, and system administrator for the limited license discipline system:
  • Open, review, process, and analyze grievance files against LLLTs and LPOs, ensuring accurate entry in the discipline database.
  • Communicate with grievant, respondent, and staff liaison/counsel to facilitate disposition of grievance files.
  • Serve as Clerk to the LLLT Board and Limited Practice Board, managing proceeding dockets, filings, and public records in accordance with applicable rules (ELLLTC, ELPOC).
  • Prepare and distribute materials to Discipline Committees, the LLLT Board, Limited License Board, and the Supreme Court.
  • Draft and serve orders on parties after Board and Discipline Committee meetings, and publish discipline notices.
  • Act as records custodian for limited license discipline files, responding to public records requests and internal inquiries.
• Coordinate ongoing implementation, improvement, or management of the discipline database and online filing system:
  • Submit and manage Litify tickets, collaborate with IT and external vendors, and manage forms and reports.
  • Create and update Litify forms and letter templates, resolve system issues, and recommend improvements to system rules and procedures.
  • Provide training to new RSD users on Litify processes and the online filing portal.
  • Maintain up-to-date procedure manuals reflecting current practices.
• Assist in administration of departmental programs and responsibilities:
  • Monitor and distribute department scanned mail and e-faxes.
  • Attend and assist at all licensing exams.
  • Provide backup support to the Law Clerk Program Lead and other RSD staff.
  • Maintain records in compliance with the records retention policy and update procedures manuals.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Director, Associate Director, or Managing Regulatory Counsel.

Requirements

• Paralegal degree or certificate, or a very comparable degree or substantial equivalent related experience.
• 5 years of paralegal experience (or substantially equivalent), including document drafting, legal research, and data management.
• Experience conducting online legal research on Westlaw or LexisNexis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Previous employment in a paralegal or equivalent position in a legal or regulatory environment.

Skills

• Clear, professional written and oral communication for diverse audiences.
• Strong customer service orientation with responsiveness and clarity.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in all work.
• Ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgment and ethics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Zoom, Adobe Professional, and ability to learn new software platforms.
• Excellent database management skills, including monitoring performance and evaluating complex information.
• Ability to identify legal issues and find relevant case law, court rules, and statutes.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills for multiple competing tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced legal research and writing skills, including effective online research using LexisNexis and other platforms.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and use good judgment.

Preferred Skills

• Editorial and proofreading skills.

Working Conditions

This is a hybrid position commutable within Washington State. Job duties may be performed in person or remotely, with occasional in-office work required for tasks such as board meetings and licensing exams. Travel within Washington State may be necessary, including evenings and overnights. The primary work location is WSBA headquarters, and staff must reside in Washington State during employment. Remote work requires an adequate work environment and internet access for sensitive and confidential tasks. Staff must use a personal smart mobile device for multifactor authentication.

Essential job functions include working WSBA’s business hours (remote or in-office), primarily sitting/standing while using a computer, and lifting/pushing/pulling items up to 25 pounds. Must be able to use standard office equipment (e.g., copiers, scanners, printers, phones, fax).

Benefits

• Washington State Retirement system (DRS/PERS), including an optional Deferred Compensation Plan (DRS/DCP).
• Medical benefits (including prescription coverage) through the WA Healthcare Authority, with WSBA paying a majority of the premium cost.
• 100% paid premiums for employee Dental and Vision coverage.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance Plans.
• Generous Paid Time Off (sick/PSSL, vacation, holiday, float, emergency leave).
• Transportation incentives (based on primary work selection requirements).
• Allowance to set up a home office (based on primary remote work selection).
• Free Employee Assistance Program and National Employee Discount Program.