Family Law Attorney

Family Law Attorney (Early Career) – Richland, Washington

Pacific Northwest Family Law

Compensation: starting at $90,000 for a first year attorney plus bonuses

Pacific Northwest Family Law seeks a recent law graduate or newly licensed attorney who is serious about becoming a capable, disciplined practitioner.

*If you are a recruiter or placement agency, this position is not for you. We do not pay recruiting fees. We prefer to invest those resources directly into the attorney we hire through paying the candidate a retention bonus (see below).*

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 intends to move forward deliberately and who prefers an environment where expectations are clear and performance is measured.

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. The goal is to close the gap between academic understanding and professional competence as efficiently as possible.

The training extends beyond legal analysis. It includes the development of legal reasoning, oral advocacy, document preparation, and, just as importantly, the ability to communicate clearly with clients who are often navigating difficult and unfamiliar circumstances. The work requires both technical skill and judgment, and both are addressed from the outset.

You will be working directly with attorneys who have built their careers at a high level. This includes attorneys who are graduates of the top law schools in the country: Cornell, Michigan, Penn, BYU. An attorney who spent nineteen years at Squire Sanders & Dempsey handling complex civil litigation for clients such as Bridgestone and AC Delco, as well as an attorney who earned a PhD from Stanford University before entering the practice of law. The expectation is that you will learn not only the mechanics of the work, but also the standards that have guided experienced practitioners.

This role is best suited for someone who learns quickly, accepts direction without resistance, and is willing to put in the effort required to improve on a consistent basis.

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 within the firm. They are different legal issues that arise at different points in the life of the same client population.

The throughline is the family itself. The legal posture may change from conflict to planning to administration, but the responsibility remains the same. The attorney is expected to understand that continuity and approach the work with a consistent level of judgment and care.

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.

The Location

The position is based in Richland, Washington, serving the Tri-Cities region. It is a place where many people come for a season and end up staying much longer. Families put down roots here, and it is common to see multiple generations living within a short distance of one another, building something steady over time.

The community is also more sophisticated than it is sometimes assumed to be. The presence of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Hanford site, and a wide range of Department of Energy and Department of Defense contractors has produced a highly educated and professionally engaged population. Major employers such as Amazon and Lamb Weston are part of the local economy, and the region has a strong technical and industrial base. It is not an isolated or unsophisticated place, even if it does not present itself that way at first glance.

At the same time, life in the Tri-Cities tends toward the practical. The pace is measured, and that allows for a degree of focus that is harder to maintain in larger cities. The Columbia River runs through the area, and much of life in the warmer months happens on or near the water. Camping, hunting, and hiking are part of the culture rather than occasional activities.

It should also be said plainly that this is not a place built around nightlife or a dense urban arts scene. Those exist in some form, but they are not central features of the community, and they are not comparable to what a larger city or a college town would offer. People who are looking for that kind of environment often find it elsewhere. People who value stability, space, and the ability to build a long-term life tend to find that this area suits them well.

Candidates should take that into account and decide whether it aligns with the kind of life they want to build.

Compensation

This position is designed for a first year attorney. Only those intending to become licensed in Washington State this year should apply.

Before licensing, eligible candidates will be paid

• Law Graduate (not yet licensed): $30/hour full time
• APR 9 Licensed Legal Intern: $40/hour full time

After a full Washington State Bar admission

• 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.

Alternatively, we can negotiate a salary.

Billing requirements:

The firm maintains a clear expectation of 1,500 hours billed and collected annually, and a successful new attorney is expected to be reach that level before 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 the Tri-Cities (structured over time) 

Qualifications

• WSBA admission or Law graduate and eligible to be admitted with plan to take the bar examination in Washington State
• If you have not been admitted to practice law yet, you must have ore be able to obtain a license under APR 9 
• 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 the Tri-Cities 
• What you intend to develop in the early years of your practice