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County Guardianship Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cowlitz County

Public Defense Attorney

Kelso, WA · On-site

$88K - $150K/yr

... County. The Office of Public Defense represents people charged with criminal law violations in ... Uniform Guardianship Act (UGA), therapeutic courts; and dependency proceedings. If you are ...

Cowlitz County

Public Defense Attorney

Kelso, WA

$88K - $150K/yr

... County. The Office of Public Defense represents people charged with criminal law violations in ... Uniform Guardianship Act (UGA), therapeutic courts; and dependency proceedings. If you are ...

Just Write Inc

Elder Law Attorney

Fort Lauderdale, FL · On-site

... guardianship, and related elder law issues. The right candidate will be client-focused ... County area Ideal Candidate Compassionate and client-centered Organized and able to manage a steady ...

Pimacounty

Attorney I - Public Defense Services

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$82K - $156K/yr

... guardianship cases, and appeals in Pima County. Attorneys provide direct client representation and handle diverse caseloads of various offenses, allegations, and degrees of seriousness. Attorneys ...

Cybercoders

Healthcare Attorney

New York, NY · Hybrid

$180K - $200K/yr

Prior experience with guardianship filings and proceedings, Surrogate's Court matters, and ... Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the ...

Addition Management

Matrimonial Attorney

Walden, NY · On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

Walden, NY (Orange County) - Fully in Office Salary: $135,000 - $150,000 + Bonus Growing ... Providing advice on areas such as adoption and guardianship. Skills & Experience : * New York Bar ...

Law Firm

Attorney

Shalimar, FL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Our well-established law firm in Okaloosa County, Florida is expanding and has an Associate ... guardianship, and probate matters. To apply please send your resume and a writing sample to our ...

Law Firm

Attorney

Shalimar, FL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Our well-established law firm in Okaloosa County, Florida is expanding and has an Associate ... guardianship, and probate matters. To apply please send your resume and a writing sample to our ...

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County Guardianship Attorney information

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$46K

$108.2K

$172.5K

How much do county guardianship attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for county guardianship attorney in the United States is $108,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are County Guardianship Attorneys?

County Guardianship Attorneys are legal professionals who represent the interests of individuals who are unable to make decisions for themselves due to age, incapacity, or disability. They help establish guardianships through the court, ensure that guardians act in the best interests of their wards, and may represent either the proposed ward, the guardian, or the county in guardianship proceedings. These attorneys are knowledgeable about state and local laws governing guardianship and often work closely with social services, the courts, and families to protect vulnerable individuals. Their work is crucial in safeguarding the rights and well-being of those who cannot advocate for themselves.

What are some common challenges County Guardianship Attorneys face when representing wards in court proceedings?

County Guardianship Attorneys often navigate complex situations involving vulnerable individuals, such as minors or incapacitated adults, requiring a delicate balance between legal advocacy and sensitivity to their clients' needs. A frequent challenge is managing cases where there are disputes among family members or disagreements about the ward's best interests. Additionally, attorneys must stay current with evolving local statutes and court procedures, while working collaboratively with social workers, healthcare professionals, and the courts to ensure the ward's well-being and legal rights. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are essential to handle the caseload and the emotional aspects of the role.

What is the difference between County Guardianship Attorney vs Conservatorship Attorney?

AspectCounty Guardianship AttorneyConservatorship Attorney
CredentialsLaw degree, state bar license, guardianship law expertiseLaw degree, state bar license, conservatorship law expertise
Work EnvironmentCourts, legal offices, guardianship proceedingsCourts, legal offices, conservatorship cases
Industry UsageLegal representation in guardianship cases for minors or incapacitated adultsLegal representation in conservatorship cases involving financial or personal decisions

Both County Guardianship Attorneys and Conservatorship Attorneys handle legal matters related to individuals unable to care for themselves. The main difference lies in their focus: guardianship attorneys typically deal with appointing guardians for minors or incapacitated adults, while conservatorship attorneys focus on managing financial or personal affairs of adults under conservatorships. Both roles require similar legal credentials and often work within the court system, but their specific case types differ.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a County Guardianship Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a County Guardianship Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission in your state, and expertise in probate, family law, or elder law. Familiarity with legal research databases (such as Westlaw or LexisNexis), court filing systems, and case management software is essential. Excellent communication, negotiation, and empathy are crucial soft skills for working with vulnerable clients, families, and court officials. These abilities are vital to ensure the legal protection and well-being of incapacitated individuals while efficiently handling complex legal processes.
What cities are hiring for County Guardianship Attorney jobs? Cities with the most County Guardianship Attorney job openings:
What states have the most County Guardianship Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for County Guardianship Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching County Guardianship Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for County Guardianship Attorney jobs are:
County Guardianship Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various County Guardianship Attorney job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 35% Full Time, and 65% Part Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,160 per year, or $52 per hour.

Public Defense Attorney

Cowlitz County

Kelso, WA • On-site

$88K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Salary : $88,080.00 - $150,720.00 Annually
Location : 1801 1st Ave., Ste. 1A, Longview, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2025-014
Department: Office of Public Defense
Opening Date: 02/19/2025
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NON
General Position Summary
The attorney filling this position will act as court-appointed counsel representing indigent people in the courts of Cowlitz County. The Office of Public Defense represents people charged with criminal law violations in Superior Court (both adult and juvenile) and in District Court. The Office of Public Defense also represents juveniles on civil matters in Juvenile Court; represents adults in civil matters in Superior Courts under the Involuntary Treatment Act.; and represents qualifying adults and children in petitions filed under the Uniform Guardianship Act. The attorney may represent clients in all phases of criminal proceedings, including first appearance, arraignment, pretrial hearings, trial preparation and investigation, plea negotiations, trial and sentencing. The attorney may also represent clients on probation violations. The attorney may be assigned to represent indigent clients in involuntary commitment; At Risk Youth/Child in Need of Services and truancy; Uniform Guardianship Act (UGA), therapeutic courts; and dependency proceedings.
If you are interested in joining the Cowlitz County Office of Public Defense, please submit a resume, cover letter, AND a valid writing sample.
Benefits Information:
Cowlitz County offers a generous benefits package which includes:
  • Medical/Dental/Vision (includes dependent coverage)
  • VEBA/Health Retirement Account for those who qualify
  • Retirement through Washington State Public Employees Retirement System
  • Life Insurance
  • Deferred Compensation plans available (457b)
  • Vacation, Bonus and Leave Days Paid
  • 11 Paid Holidays
  • Reasonable work hours

The County:
Cowlitz County is a great place to live and work. Located along the Columbia River less than an hour from the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Cowlitz County provides an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and easy access to the Arts. The I-5 corridor runs right through Cowlitz County providing quick access to the Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  1. Interview clients as assigned to determine the facts of the case. Review discovery materials to evaluate each case in order to engage in development of case strategy and trial preparation or resolution, including plea negotiation. .
  2. Meet with clients to evaluate options and strategies. Keep clients informed of the status of their case and promptly respond to reasonable requests for information. Explain to clients all matters necessary for them to make informed decisions about their cases.
  3. Appear in court to represent assigned client at all stages of the proceedings. Cover general dockets, including but not limited to first appearance and arraignment.
  4. Personally investigate cases and/or obtain and direct investigators in the investigation of cases, engage in pre-trial negotiations, prepare and argue pre-trial motions as needed, conduct bench and jury trials and any necessary subsequent hearings.
  5. Coordinate and arrange for tests of physical evidence and the use of expert witnesses.
  6. Conduct all trial actions including selection of jury in criminal matters outside of juvenile court and involuntary treatment proceedings, cross and direct examination of witnesses, introduction of evidence and exhibits and make arguments on the law and interpretation of the evidence.
  7. Zealously represent clients in all legal proceedings including, but not limited to arraignments, pre-trial motions, trials, guilty pleas and post-trial matters. Post-trial matters may include post-trial motions, sentencing hearings, restitution hearings, sentence reviews, the filing of appeals and other representation as determined by the needs of each individual case.
  8. Assist other attorneys when needed.
  9. Prioritize and plan cases and work activities while using resources efficiently.
  10. For all attorneys representing individuals in criminal dockets, act on a rotating basis to provide 24-hour access to counsel to individuals under arrest and/or investigation for DUI or other alleged criminal activity.
  11. Cooperate with the courts in its electronic records project, which includes electronic receipt of hearing and trial notices, discovery, and other documents and information, and electronic filing of motions and other documents.
  12. Perform other duties or projects as assigned, including attending conferences/meetings on behalf of the Public Defender Office.
  13. Complete seven hours of continuing legal education within each calendar year in courses related to their public defense practice.

Minimum Qualifications
  1. Law degree from an accredited college or university (may be waived for individuals obtaining Washington Bar license under other qualifying circumstance).
  2. Licensed to practice law in the State of Washington with the Washington State Bar Association: if admitted to another state, transfer must be completed within 3 months of accepting position.
  3. Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Required Skills and Abilities
  1. Knowledge of applicable Washington State and federal law relating to criminal and other assigned cases.
  2. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
  3. Exceptional interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations, engage in problem solving, work with upset or mentally ill people, negotiate with others and manage conflict.
  4. High level of analytical ability and logic. Ability to gather and synthesize large bodies of information.

Cowlitz County offers a competitive benefits package for Full-Time employees, including:
  • Health Insurance: Variety of Medical, dental, life, vision, and prescription insurance for employee and family. Employees who are covered under another person's medical plan have the option of an HRA (Health Retirement Account) in lieu of medical insurance. HSA and FSA plans are also available, depending on eligibility.
  • 11 Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
  • Retirement: All full-time employees must participate in a Washington State Retirement Services plan, and may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan, if desired.
  • Employee Assistance Program employees and family members for help with personal or family issues.
  • Group Life Insurance: Basic life and Accident insurance is provided to employee, with additional insurance available to purchase.

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