Staff Attorney- Water Adjudication

Whatcom County's Superior Court is seeking an experienced candidate to fill the position of  Staff Attorney - Water Adjudication.  This position is by special appointment of the Superior Court Judges and serves at the sole discretion of the Judges. This position represents Whatcom County by maintaining a professional approach and demeanor in all activities. 

Whatcom County Superior Court is an independent branch of government and personnel employed under the judicial branch of government.  The positions are in accordance with GR 29. Under GR 29, the Presiding Judge is responsible for the daily operations of the Court, which includes working conditions, hiring, discipline, and termination decisions.

• Assist Whatcom County Judicial Officers in legal research and writing.  Provide concise summaries of legal research projects.   Assist with all aspects of planning and legal research regarding the general water rights adjudication filed in Whatcom County Superior Court.
• May act pursuant to RCW 2.24.060 and RCW 90.03.160 as directed by the Superior Court Presiding Judge in a general water rights adjudication. Time permitting, may also be asked to perform referee duties pursuant to RCW Ch. 4.48 in civil matters.
• Assist Superior Court Judges in developing the structure and procedures in creating a new Water Law Division.
• Hear and decide matters as directed. For Water Law Adjudication, this may include deciding procedural and pre-trial motions in general water rights adjudication; managing weekly water law calendars; assisting in managing the assigned judge's calendar; and, when appropriate, conducting fact findings or trials by reference and submitting timely reports containing clear and concise findings and conclusions.
• Conducts civil trials by reference pursuant to RCW Ch. 4.48 as requested by the Superior Court Judges and assists Superior Court Judges by acting as a special discovery master pursuant to CR 53.3. As requested by Superior Court Judges act as a Referee in fact finding matters. 
• Hears, decides, and acts in any other Judicial Officer capacity as permitted by law and directed by Superior Court.

• Staff Attorney

• Range 13: $8,592 - 12,476 per month

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited, four-year college or university, Law degree from an ABA-accredited law school, AND  five (5) years of experience in the practice of law.
• Must be a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association. 
• Per RCW 2.24.010, United States citizenship.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills and the ability to manage complex litigation involving significant numbers of litigants.