Washington Associate Attorney

About the role

For decades, The Mortgage Law Firm has been a trusted name in default legal services, providing comprehensive solutions to mortgage servicers, banks, investors, and other financial institutions. The firm’s success is built on a deep understanding of the industry, strong relationships, and an unwavering commitment to client service. The firm acts as a dedicated partner to clients, ensuring they have the resources, support, and legal guidance needed to navigate complex regulations and mitigate risk through ongoing legal representation, training sessions, and industry advocacy.

The Associate Attorney supports the firm’s Washington practice located in Vancouver, WA and may be in office or remote. The position manages assigned legal matters involving judicial and nonjudicial foreclosure, foreclosure-related litigation, bankruptcy, title and post-sale issues, evictions, loss mitigation, lender defense, and other creditor-rights matters. The attorney prepares and reviews legal work, appears in court and other proceedings, advises internal teams on Washington law and procedure, and provides responsive service to clients. This role requires sound legal judgment, strong file ownership, timely communication, and the ability to manage competing deadlines in a high-volume practice. The Associate Attorney works closely with the Senior Managing Attorney, attorneys, operations leaders, paralegals, clients, courts, trustees, vendors, and other business partners to deliver accurate, compliant, and practical legal solutions.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple Washington matters through all assigned stages, including judicial foreclosures, contested and uncontested matters, mediations, with clear ownership of deadlines, strategy, documentation, and next steps.
• Complete initial file intake, identify legal and procedural issues, and develop a practical strategy for each assigned matter.
• Research and analyze Washington statutes, court rules, case law, local requirements, client directives, investor requirements, and the facts of each matter.
• Identify title, lien, probate, bankruptcy, documentation, standing, service, sale, or post-sale concerns and recommend an appropriate course of action.
• Maintain accurate and complete case notes, calendars, status reporting, and supporting documentation in firm and client systems.
• Escalate material legal, compliance, client, deadline, or reputational risks to the Senior Managing Attorney promptly.

• Prepare timely, accurate, and well-supported pleadings, motions, briefs, declarations, discovery, correspondence, settlement documents, notices, and other legal work product.
• Review, audit, edit, and approve legal work prepared by paralegals and other support staff before filing, recording, or transmission, as appropriate.
• Attend and represent clients at court hearings, mediations, settlement conferences, trials, oral arguments, trustee-sale related proceedings, and other required appearances.
• Coordinate with local counsel, opposing counsel, trustees, courts, title companies, process servers, auction vendors, and other third parties when required.
• Ensure filings, appearances, service, notices, and client reporting are completed within applicable deadlines and documented accurately.
• Accurately record billable time and other required activity contemporaneously.

• Serve as a Washington legal resource for attorneys and operations teams handling foreclosure, bankruptcy, title, eviction, litigation, and post-sale matters.
• Provide clear legal guidance to paralegals and operational staff while distinguishing legal decisions from administrative or business processes.
• Monitor changes in Washington law, court requirements, and industry practices that may affect the firm’s work, and communicate needed updates to leadership and impacted teams.
• Assist with developing, reviewing, and maintaining Washington procedures, templates, training materials, and quality controls.
• Support training and continued development of attorneys, paralegals, and staff on Washington-specific legal requirements and recurring issues.
• Participate in internal file reviews, client audits, quality initiatives, corrective action planning, and process-improvement efforts.

• Act as a primary legal contact for assigned matters and provide timely, clear, and professional communication to clients and internal teams.
• Explain legal risks, options, and recommendations in practical terms that support informed decision-making.
• Respond promptly to client requests, escalations, scorecard concerns, and requests for legal analysis.
• Maintain productive working relationships across the firm and contribute to a responsive