Description

Compensation: $30/hour (law graduate), $40/hour (APR 9), or 25% of collected fees (licensed attorney; typical first-year billing rate $270/hour)

Pacific Northwest Family Law seeks a recent law graduate or newly licensed attorney who is serious about learning how to practice law at a high level.

If you are a recruiter or placement agency, this position is not for you. We do not pay recruiting fees and prefer to invest those resources directly into the attorney we hire.

The early years of practice tend to sort people quickly. Some develop judgment, discipline, and the ability to carry responsibility. Others do not. This position is designed for someone who is deliberate about that distinction and who prefers an environment where expectations are clear and performance is measured.

The Work

The firm represents families. Most of that work takes the form of family law litigation, including divorce, custody, and related disputes, but it does not end there. We also advise and represent clients in estate planning and probate. These are not treated as separate silos. They are different legal issues that arise at different points in the life of the same client population.

An attorney in this role will begin working on active cases early, with exposure to hearings, strategy discussions, and client decision-making as soon as it is appropriate. For those with an APR 9 license or full licensure, that includes early participation in courtroom advocacy. The expectation is that the attorney develops the ability to handle both the legal and human aspects of these matters with professionalism and composure.

Mentorship and Training

Training is structured as an apprenticeship, with the expectation that development occurs through consistent exposure, repetition, and direct feedback. During the first ninety days, you will meet daily with a partner to review cases, discuss strategy, and work through the practical realities of handling matters from start to finish.

You will be working directly with attorneys who have built their careers at a high level, including an attorney who spent nineteen years at Squire Sanders & Dempsey handling complex civil litigation for clients such as Bridgestone and AC Delco, and an attorney who earned a PhD from Stanford University before entering the practice of law. The goal is not only to learn the mechanics of the work, but to adopt the standards that have guided experienced practitioners.

This role is best suited for someone who learns quickly, accepts direction, and is willing to put in the effort required to improve consistently.

The Location

The position is based in Yakima, Washington, serving the surrounding region. It is a working community with deep agricultural roots and a strong sense of continuity. Much of the economy is tied to orchards and food production, and that connection to the land is still visible in how people live and work. Many families have been in the area for generations, and relationships tend to carry forward over time.

Yakima is a rural environment, but it is not without substance. The community has a size and infrastructure that supports a meaningful professional life, including an active court system and a steady demand for legal services. For an early-career attorney, that often translates into earlier responsibility and more direct experience than would be typical in a larger, more saturated market.

There is also more to the area than people sometimes expect. The arts and entertainment scene is modest in scale but active and credible. The Capitol Theatre hosts performances, and the Yakima Valley SunDome regularly brings in national touring acts and events. Comedians and performers who are playing larger markets will still make a stop in Yakima. It is not Seattle or Spokane, but it is not culturally empty, and it offers more than a purely rural setting.

The surrounding landscape defines much of daily life. The valley, nearby mountains, and open land provide access to hiking, hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation that are part of the local rhythm rather than occasional outings. The pace is steady, and it allows for focus, consistency, and long-term planning.

Yakima tends to suit people who appreciate that balance. It offers real work, a stable community, and enough cultural and recreational depth to support a full life, without the constant movement and distraction of a larger city. Candidates should consider whether that environment aligns with how they want to live and work.

Compensation and Expectations

Compensation depends on licensing status:

• Law Graduate (not yet licensed): $30/hour
• APR 9 Licensed Legal Intern: $40/hour
• Licensed Attorney: 25% of collected fees

First-year attorneys typically bill at approximately $270/hour. Attorneys who follow firm systems and procedures achieve an average collection rate of approximately 90 percent.

At 1,500 billed and collected hours, a first-year attorney at this rate generates approximately $405,000 in collected revenue and earns approximately $101,250, with additional upside for exceeding expectations.

The firm maintains a clear expectation of 1,500 hours billed and collected annually, and a successful candidate is expected to be progressing toward that level within the first ninety days.

Additional compensation includes:

• Bonus for exceeding 1,500 hours
• $10,000 retention bonus after one year (ask us about the structure)
• Relocation support available for candidates moving to Walla Walla (structured over time)

Qualifications

• Law graduate or licensed attorney (no current law students)
• Willingness to obtain APR 9 status promptly if not yet licensed
• Strong work ethic and professional discipline
• Interest in litigation and client-facing work

About the Firm

Pacific Northwest Family Law focuses on representing families through litigation, planning, and transition. The work requires clear thinking, steady communication, and the ability to address difficult issues directly.

More information: https://pnwfamilylaw.com/about-us

To Apply

Submit the following to recruiting @ pnwfamilylaw.com:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Law school transcript (required if not yet licensed)
• Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

In your cover letter, please address:

• Your interest in family law litigation
• Your reasons for considering Walla Walla
• What you intend to develop in the early years of your practice