Role Description

The Environmental and Land Use Hearings Office (ELUHO) is seeking a law clerk who is adept at legal research, analysis, and writing to support three quasi-judicial environmental and land use boards.

• Reviewing case documents and legal authorities to identify relevant legal issues and evaluate competing arguments;
• Using legal research tools such as LexisNexis to research current statutes, caselaw, administrative rules, court rules, and evidence rules relevant to legal issues;
• Conducting thorough evaluation of case facts and applying appropriate and comprehensive legal analysis to the facts;
• Conducting original legal research on issues of first impression;
• Keeping abreast of relevant changes in the law;
• Communicating effectively, orally and in writing;
• Timely writing pre- and post-hearing memoranda to include summary of case facts and cited authorities, thorough legal analysis and application of law to facts, options for legal theories for the board to select, and recommendations for the board;
• Drafting case orders consistent with board direction and the law;
• Presenting legal research findings, analysis, conclusions and recommendations orally to board members;
• Synthesizing and integrating all board members’ edits into a final order as directed by board members, ensuring accurate legal authorities and citations, as well as seamless flow and proper grammar;
• Performing citation checking to ensure cited legal authority is accurate and conforms to Bluebook and other applicable standards;
• Developing, organizing, and maintaining legal reference materials for internal use to aid with quick reference by board members and judges;
• Managing legal intern/extern program, including conducting outreach to law schools, selecting applicants, and performing supervisory duties for volunteer law students;
• Providing legislative support to the Director as needed, including analyzing and tracking bills, and assisting with drafting fiscal notes and request legislation;
• Providing procedural assistance to parties and prospective parties without giving legal advice and while avoiding ex parte communication;
• Using an electronic case management system to perform legal case work.

Qualifications

• Possess a Juris Doctor degree received from an accredited law school OR will possess a Juris Doctor degree by July 2026 (as a condition of employment)
• Knowledge of environmental or land use law, as demonstrated by 6-12 months of legal research and writing work in one or more areas of environmental or land use law, or by training in coursework specific to environmental or land use law.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of current legal office practices, methods, procedures and court rules
• Demonstrate proficiency in MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and punctuality
• Demonstrate reliability and the desire to learn new skills
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Work independently
• Manage multiple priorities
• Demonstrate accountability, dependability, adaptability, flexibility, ethics, integrity, relationship and team building
• Demonstrate self-awareness and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requirements

• Admitted to the practice of law in Washington, and a member in good standing with the state bar association (preferred)
• A demonstrated knowledge of Washington state administrative law and procedures (preferred)
• A demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing, presenting issues, facts, analysis, legal conclusions, and directions in a clear, efficient, and technically sound manner (preferred)
• Demonstrate a familiarity with legal issues relating to the jurisdiction of the boards, knowledge of administrative law and procedure, court rules, rules of evidence, and legal research tools such as LexisNexis (preferred)
• Manage competing priorities and achieve consistently high-quality results in a timely manner with little need for oversight (preferred)
• Express ideas and information effectively, using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience (preferred)
• Identify issues in a case, including areas in need of further analysis and investigation (preferred)
• Effectively research and analyze legal issues and apply legal principles and precedents, with a commitment to reaching an unbiased and legally correct decision (preferred)
• Competently use technologies that are necessary to conducting ELUHO business, including word processing and electronic communication software, teleconferencing and videoconferencing technology, and specialized legal software such as LexisNexis, and ELUHO’s Salesforce-based case management system (preferred)

Benefits

• Flexible start date, with work beginning as early as May 2026 or as late as September 1, 2026.
• Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., unless an alternate work schedule is requested and approved.
• Opportunity to work remotely.
• Support for healthy lifestyles and a healthy work/life balance.
• Professional development opportunities.

Supplemental Information

• Please provide a letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting;
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education;
• Two (2) legal writing samples demonstrating legal research and writing capabilities;
• Unofficial transcripts that verify your education at an accredited institution (list of classes not required);
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview).

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

Contact Information

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at jobs@des.wa.gov .

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.