Law Expert Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $105,000.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-05037
Department: Office of Civil Legal Aid
Opening Date: 06/16/2026
Description
The (OCLA) is an independent agency in the judicial branch of state government. OCLA administers the statewide (CRP). The CRP underwrites and oversees the delivery of effective, standards-based and equity-informed representation for children and youth for whom attorneys are appointed under state law.
The CRP is seeking to contract with an attorney who is an expert in education law. This attorney will assist OCLA-contracted attorneys across the state who are appointed to represent dependent children and youth pursuant to RCW 13.34.212(1) and (3) in providing educational advocacy for those children whose education rights under the law need to be protected due to a school's official action or inaction. This is a part-time, 50% FTE contracting opportunity available immediately, with the intention of increasing it to full-time if there is a demonstrated need.
BENEFITS INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT APPLY TO CONTRACTORS
Duties
This contract does not contemplate and will not include litigation initiated by the contracted attorney but rather is intended to provide expert legal advocacy for individual foster children and youth currently represented by OCLA-contracted attorneys and who are facing discreet legal issues related to their education. The education law expert can expect the following:
Compensation: The compensation rate for a part-time (50% FTE) contract is $105,000 annually. This rate is based off of the full-time contract compensation rate of $210,000 annually. Contracted compensation is intended to cover a contracted attorney's salary as well as any associated business operating expenses (e.g. office rent, supplies, support staff). BENEFITS INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT APPLY TO CONTRACTORS
Caseload: A part-time (50% FTE) caseload under this contract amounts to 20-25 advocacy-level referrals at any one time plus any number of advice and consultation-level engagements the attorney is reasonably able to provide given the complexity of their caseload at a given time. The number of advocacy-level cases may be adjusted downward temporarily as needed to account for caseload complexity, including complex legal issues; the needs of the clients; or the geographic diversity of the overall caseload.
Support: CRP-contracted attorneys have access to funds for expert services as well as access to technical support from CRP staff. The CRP also coordinates and hosts several CLEs annually to ensure contractors meet contractual training requirements.
Travel: Services under this contract will cover the state, so frequent travel is expected. Contractors are eligible for reimbursement for mileage, lodging, and incidental expenses incurred during the course of qualifying case-related travel.
Interested candidates should follow the application procedures detailed below.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications

• Licensed member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the practice of education law representing children and youth, preferably dependent children and youth, in matters concerning, but not limited to school discipline, exclusion, Individualized Education Plans, enrollment, reasonable accommodations, and access to a free and public education.
• Ability and willingness to meet OCLA's Children's Representation Program Standards, including:
  • Participation in OCLA's case activity and outcome tracking requirements and use of OCLA's Case Activity, Reporting and Oversight System (CAROS).
  • Completion of OCLA CRP's web-based foundational training series.
  • Participation in eight (8) hours of OCLA-approved child welfare and education-law related trainings and CLEs on an annual basis.
  • Maintaining professional liability insurance.
  • Submitting to semi-annual reviews by CRP staff as part of the CRP's oversight function.
  • Engaging in regular consultation with CRP Staff on issues relating to the provision of contracted legal representation.

• Demonstrated commitment to providing high-quality, culturally sensitive, and equity-informed representation to children and youth.
• Ability to employ effective, trauma-informed communication with children and youth consistent with their developmental ability to understand.
• Demonstratedcommitment to investigating and raising issues relating to structural inequities and systemic biases that are prejudicial to the child or youth consistent with the youth's stated interests.
• Demonstrated interest and commitment to public interest law, especially child welfare law, or experience practicing public interest law, especially child welfare law.
• For attorneys with no or limited experience in dependency law, willingness to actively participate in regional Communities of Practice and the CRP Attorney Mentorship program.

Supplemental Information
Application Procedure
Applications will be accepted until position is filled. To apply, please email the following information to with "Education Law Expert" in the subject line. Complete applications
include all the following application materials:

• Letter of interest which includes the following details:
  • Each of your qualifications as per above;
  • The nature of your current practice, including caseload capacity
  • Experience, if any, representing children and youth in the child welfare system or representing dependent children and youth in education law proceedings; and
  • History of demonstrated commitment to principles of equity and social justice
• Resume
• Three professional references to include at least one former employer or direct supervisor, if applicable
• Redacted, self-authored legal writing sample.

BENEFITS INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT APPLY TO CONTRACTORS
OCLA reserves the right to amend this application procedure and/or to refrain from contracting with any or all applicants. This procedure does not obligate the State of Washington or OCLA to contract for the services specified.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026