Counsel II & Ethics, Wellness, Practice Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Ethics, Wellness, and Practice Program Manager & Counsel II
Advancement Department (ADV) – Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)

Salary Range: $99,092 to $99,092 + Washington State Employee Benefits and Retirement Plans
FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

The WSBA's mission is to serve the public and the members of the Bar, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession, and to champion justice.

Purpose and Position Summary:

The Ethics, Wellness, and Practice Manager & Counsel II (EWPMC) leads the Professional Responsibility Program by providing ethics guidance through CLE presentations, articles, and member consultations. The role also oversees the Member Wellness Program and the Practice Management Assistance Program, ensuring these three programs operate cohesively within the Advancement Department. The EWPMC supports daily operations, staffing, and strategic planning in collaboration with program leaders and the Advancement Director. Additionally, the position maintains national engagement to stay current on legal ethics, wellness, and practice management trends.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:Professional Responsibility ProgramEthics Inquiries:

• Answering ethics inquiries from Bar members, primarily by telephone, regarding their prospective conduct (calls are primarily received on the Ethics Line).
• Ensure consistent, reliable and timely coverage for the Ethics Line.
• Develop innovative and efficient approaches to address member ethics inquiries.

Education materials and presentations:

• Develop and deliver ethics related educational materials and presentations for sponsors of legal educational programing including county bars, affinity bars, WSBA CLE, and other continuing legal education providers within the state and nationally.
• Serve as a resource in writing, research, recruiting and presenting for WSBA-CLE, the Advancement and Communications Departments, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, the Office of General Counsel, and external groups within the state and nationally.
• Maintaining a comprehensive level of proficiency in all aspects of legal ethics and professionalism by using multiple sources of information, including online legal research tools and other resources.

Staff Liaison:

• Acting as staff liaison to the Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE), includes managing the content of the Bar online ethics opinion data base, and ensuring that recommendations of the CPE are effectively and timely navigated through the approval/adoption system, including preparation of GR 9 materials and attending Board meetings.
• Acting as staff liaison to other internal and external entities as assigned and serving as a member of the Advancement Leadership Team.

Publications:

• Writing and editing articles and developing information resources addressing lawyer ethics for publication in Washington State Bar News, NW Sidebar, and other law-related publications. This includes responsibility for planning topics for articles and advising, editing, analyzing the content of articles written by others and managing the content of WSBA’s Ethics/Professional Responsibility web page.

Oversight of the Practice Management Assistance Program

• Provide supervision and guidance to the Practice Management Assistance Advisor.
• In coordination with the Advancement Department Director and Practice Management Assistance Advisor develop, implement, and oversee program-wide strategies and policies that further the mission and objectives of the program and WSBA.
• Assure proper operational/administrative support is allocated to the PMA program, serving as a backup to the PMA when necessary.

Oversight of Member Wellness Program

• Provide supervision and guidance to the Member Wellness Program Manager.
• In coordination with the Advancement Department Director and Member Wellness Program Manager develop, implement, and oversee program-wide strategies and policies that further the mission and objectives of the program and the WSBA.
• Collaboration with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel to ensure efficient and effective operation of the Diversion Program.
• Assure proper operational/administrative support is allocated to the MWP.

Other Duties as AssignedEducation Required:

• Juris Doctor or successful completion of the WSBA Law Clerk Program (APR 6), or other qualifying programs and licenses to practice in the State of Washington

Education Preferred:

• MBA or Bachelors in Business Administration/Management
• Education or certification in mental health or wellness

Experience Required:

• A minimum of 5 years legal practice experience, preferably in a variety of legal fields and different practice settings with emphasis given to solo/small firm practice (solo, small firm, large firm, government, etc.)
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in public speaking or experience in delivering continuing legal education
• 3 to 5 years’ experience supervisory/management experience

Experience Preferred:

• Experience with mental health, wellness or well-being initiative.

Competencies (Skills/Abilities) Required:

• Clear, professional written and oral communication to a variety of audiences
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders with responsiveness and clarity
• Organizational skills with the ability to prioritize time and work, manage multiple tasks with competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Attention to detail and accuracy in all work
• Ability to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgement and ethics
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and the ability to learn and use new software and technology platforms including assistance in maintaining the Ethics Opinions online database
• Ability to speak in public and represent the Bar in a positive way to the membership and public
• Ability to develop collaborative working relationships to ensure smooth operation and service standards across all programs.
• Understanding of solo/small firm legal practice management and legal technology and ability to stay up to date on new developments in technology.

Working Conditions:

This is a Hybrid - Commutable position and job duties may be performed in person or remotely. All WSBA staff must be flexible to work in office or travel within WA state as deemed necessary, or as required.

The WSBA headquarters are the primary location while working for the WSBA regardless of where staff may reside within Washington. WSBA does not offer fully remote positions and reserves the right to require employees to work in-person and on-site at the WSBA headquarters or at any worksite necessary to fulfill job duties. For remote work (if applicable), staff must have an adequate work environment and internet access for performing work of a sensitive and confidential nature.

Employment with the Washington State Bar Association mandates that WSBA Staff must reside within the State of Washington at the time of hire, and during active employment status. 

The essential functions of the job that must be performed, with or without a reasonable accommodation: This position must be able to regularly work WSBA’s business hours in an office type environment (remote or in office), possess the ability to primarily sit/stand and use a computer, and lift/push/pull items weighing up to 25 pounds. Must be able to use standard computer and office equipment (e.g., copiers, scanners, printers, phones, fax, etc.).

The WSBA office is open to the public from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The standard workweek is Monday through Friday, generally between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm. WSBA maintains the discretion to revise staff schedules in response to operational needs.

WSBA Benefits Include:

• State of Washington Retirement system (DRS/PERS), including an optional Deferred Compensation Plan (DRS/DCP).
• Medical benefits (including Rx) through the WA Healthcare Authority, with WSBA paying a majority of the premium cost.
• 100% paid premiums for employee Dental and Vision
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance Plans
• Generous Paid Time Off Benefits (sick/PSSL, vacation, holiday, float, emergency leave)
• Transportation incentives, *based on primary work selection requirements.
• Allowance to set up a home office, *based on a primary remote work selection.
• Free Employee Assistance Program, and National Employee Discount Program
• The WSBA is a Public Student Load Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
• Eligible tuition assistance and continued training programs
• You will be working with a team of supportive, collaborative, creative, and dedicated colleagues driven to accomplish WSBA’s Mission
• A company culture that truly focuses on a quality work and life balance for its staff through our 4 Pillars: 1) Excellence (Mission-driven results), 2) Unity (Team-driven results), 3) Integrity (Value-driven results), and 4 JOY! (People-driven culture).

For consideration and to apply: interested and qualified candidates must apply online and submit the following required application materials: both a cover letter (letter of interest) and resume. Additionally, provide an example of a Continued Legal Education (CLE) presentation or article.

WSBA Staff must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis, upon hire. This position is not eligible for Sponsorship.

WSBA administers pre-employment background screening upon a contingent verbal offer, and prior to hire.

The WSBA is subject to Washington State Court Rules General Rule (GR) 12.4, which specifies the Bar’s responsibility and process to provide public access to Bar records.

The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) operates under the delegated authority of the Washington Supreme Court and exercises a governmental function authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to license and regulate the state’s nearly 40,000 legal professionals, including lawyers, limited practice officers, and limited license legal technicians. The WSBA both regulates legal professionals under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association — all without public funding. The WSBA administers the bar admission process, including the bar exam; provides record-keeping and licensing functions; administers the lawyer discipline system. and provides continuing legal education for legal professionals, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities.

The WSBA is committed to fostering a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The statements contained in this job announcement are not necessarily all-inclusive; additional duties may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.

Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Compensation Philosophy and Compensation Grid