Associate Attorney

Job Description

Title: Associate Attorney

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Location: Federal Way, Washington

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Salary: $100,000 - $125,000, Annually, Depending on Experience

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*THIS IS A RETAINED SEARCH - PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ME/THE FIRM IF YOU ARE A RECRUITER*

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About The Ye Law Firm

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At The Ye Law Firm, we help people rebuild their lives after injury through skilled advocacy, compassionate service, and the faithful pursuit of justice.

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We are an established plaintiff personal injury firm serving the Pacific Northwest. We represent people facing serious injuries, including catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters.

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We are not a settlement mill, and we are not a volume practice.

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We believe every client deserves to be fully seen, fully understood, and fully represented. Exceptional advocacy begins with understanding the person behind the case, preparing thoroughly, exercising sound judgment, and pursuing the full measure of justice our clients deserve. Our culture is built on stewardship, truth, accountability, service, respect for human dignity, and continuous growth. We are building more than a successful law practice. We are developing a team of trusted professionals who take responsibility for their work, support one another, and become better through service.

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The Opportunity

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We are seeking an Associate Attorney who wants to develop into an exceptional plaintiff litigation and trial lawyer. This position is designed for an early-career attorney who can contribute immediately through strong legal research, writing, preparation, and professional judgment while developing more advanced litigation skills through mentorship and meaningful case responsibility. You will work alongside experienced attorneys on significant personal injury cases, including catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation. You will gain exposure to case strategy, discovery, depositions, motion practice, mediations, arbitrations, expert development, client counseling, and trial preparation. As your capability, judgment, reliability, and ownership develop, you will assume progressively greater responsibility.

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We are looking for an attorney with strong legal fundamentals, intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and a commitment to professional growth—someone who takes responsibility for their work, welcomes meaningful feedback, and is serious about becoming an exceptional trial lawyer. We invest in attorneys who take responsibility for their work and are committed to developing their litigation skills.

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Who Will Thrive Here

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We believe exceptional trial lawyers are developed through strong legal fundamentals, thoughtful preparation, sound judgment, and a commitment to continuous growth.

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The right associate will bring the ability to contribute meaningfully from day one, along with the curiosity, humility, and determination to become an exceptional advocate.

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You will thrive here if you:

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• Put clients first. Treat every client with dignity, compassion, and respect. Take the time to understand the person behind the case and how an injury has changed their life.
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• Take pride in excellent work. Produce accurate, thoughtful, and timely legal work. Prepare thoroughly for assignments, meetings, depositions, and proceedings.
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• Take ownership. Manage assignments, deadlines, and commitments responsibly. Follow through on your work and communicate proactively.
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• Exercise sound judgment. Think critically, ask thoughtful questions, recognize potential risks, and seek guidance when appropriate.
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• Welcome feedback and growth. Receive constructive feedback thoughtfully, apply what you learn, and continually strengthen your litigation skills and professional judgment.
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• Work collaboratively. Communicate clearly, support colleagues, and contribute to a team committed to exceptional advocacy and client service.
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• Aspire to become an exceptional trial lawyer. Seek meaningful litigation experience, learn from experienced attorneys, and earn greater responsibility through demonstrated capability, reliability, and trust.
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At The Ye Law Firm, professional growth is built on preparation, accountability, sound judgment, and service. We invest in attorneys who are ready to contribute, eager to learn, and committed to becoming trusted advocates for the people we represent.

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Responsibilities

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Responsibilities will be assigned according to experience, demonstrated competency, and readiness, and will expand as the associate develops.

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• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, discovery, motions, briefs, and other litigation documents.
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• Assist with evaluating liability, causation, damages, and litigation strategy.
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• Participate in case reviews and strategy discussions with supervising attorneys.
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• Prepare and respond to written discovery.
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• Prepare for and progressively conduct depositions as experience and readiness develop.
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• Work directly with clients to understand their injuries, concerns, goals, and how their lives have changed.
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• Review medical records, employment records, expert opinions, and other evidence relevant to liability and damages.
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• Assist with expert discovery and the preparation of clients, witnesses, and experts for litigation proceedings.
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• Participate in negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, settlement conferences, and court proceedings.
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• Assist with developing case themes, exhibits, witness presentations, and trial materials.
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• Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and case managers to advance litigation and deliver exceptional client service.
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• Maintain organized case records, manage deadlines, and communicate proactively throughout the litigation process.
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The associate will be expected to manage assigned work responsibly and independently, while receiving supervision and mentorship on litigation strategy, significant decisions, and developing advocacy skills.

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Requirements

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• J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
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• Active Washington State Bar license in good standing.
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• Approximately 1–3 years of legal experience preferred.
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• Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills.
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• Clear and professional verbal and written communication.
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• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and deadline management.
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• Sound professional judgment and willingness to seek guidance when appropriate.
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• Demonstrated responsibility, follow-through, and accountability.
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• Willingness to receive coaching, accept constructive feedback, and improve.
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• Genuine interest in plaintiff personal injury litigation and client advocacy.
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• Desire to develop into a skilled litigation and trial attorney.
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• Ability to work collaboratively with attorneys, paralegals, case managers, and other team members.
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Relevant experience may come from personal injury, insurance defense, civil litigation, employment litigation, a judicial clerkship, or another litigation-focused practice.

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We value demonstrated ability, professional maturity, ownership, and growth potential—not simply years of experience.

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Preferred Qualifications

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The following experience is helpful but not required:

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• Plaintiff personal injury or insurance defense litigation.
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• Drafting and arguing motions.
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• Written discovery and deposition preparation.
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• Taking or defending depositions.
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• Mediation, arbitration, or trial preparation.
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• Courtroom appearances.
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• Experience with SmartAdvocate or similar case management software.
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• Bilingual communication skills.
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• Prior first-chair jury trial experience is welcome but not required .
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Work Environment & Development

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During the initial three months, this position will be primarily in-office at our Federal Way location.

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We believe excellent trial lawyers develop through meaningful experience, close observation, thoughtful preparation, and real-time feedback. You will have opportunities to participate in litigation strategy discussions, observe negotiations and proceedings, work alongside experienced attorneys, and develop your advocacy skills through progressively greater responsibility.

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Following the initial development period, a hybrid schedule of up to two remote days per week may be available based on demonstrated readiness, professional responsibilities, and the needs of our clients and team.

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Our goal is to develop attorneys who can exercise sound judgment, earn increasing independence, and become trusted advocates for the people we represent.

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Compensation & Benefits

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• Base Salary: $100,000–$125,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
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• Performance Bonus Opportunities: Eligible associates may receive additional compensation based on qualifying case contributions and fees collected, subject to the firm's applicable compensation plan.
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• Origination Opportunities: Additional incentives may be available for qualifying cases originated by the associate.
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• Paid Time Off: 15 days of PTO plus 7 firm-observed holidays.
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• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with the firm covering 100% of the HMO plan after the initial 90-day eligibility period.
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• Retirement Savings: SIMPLE IRA eligibility after one year, subject to plan terms.
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• Professional Development: Firm-supported continuing legal education, bar memberships, and malpractice insurance, within reasonable annual limits.
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• Professional Networking: Support for approved professional and community-building memberships, including organizations such as BNI.
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• Hands-On Litigation Development: Meaningful exposure to case strategy, depositions, negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, experts, and trial preparation.
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• Team Culture: Quarterly team gatherings and a collaborative, collegial working environment.
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Professional Growth at The Ye Law Firm

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We believe a legal career should be an opportunity to become a more capable advocate, earn the trust of clients and colleagues, and contribute to work that matters.

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As you develop your litigation skills, judgment, and professional responsibility, you will have opportunities to take on more complex work, exercise greater independence, and grow within the firm.

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Our goal is to develop attorneys who can eventually be trusted to carry a client's story into the courtroom and advocate for the full measure of what that client has lost.

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If you are ready to contribute, eager to learn, and serious about becoming an exceptional trial lawyer, we welcome your application.

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Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and is not representative of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

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The Ye Law Firm is an equal-opportunity employer. The position is located in the firm’s Federal Way, Washington office. Relocation Assistance is not offered for this position. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.