Legal Assistant

Summary Civil Survival is looking for a legal assistant to assist formerly incarcerated individuals across Washington State who face legal barriers to successful reentry into the community. Civil Survival's legal assistant will work with attorneys representing clients in a varietyof legal matters, including relief from legal financial obligations (LFOs), vacating unconstitutional drug convictions under State v. Blake, vacating criminal records, and relief from registration for clients convicted of sex offenses. In supporting Civil Survival's direct representation, the legal assistant will have a range of responsibilities including communicating with clients, researching court procedures and rules, preparing and filing pleadings, and obtaining records. The legal assistant will work on a dynamic team that uses creativity, collaboration, and technology to provide high-quality representation to clients. In supporting this work, the legal assistant will manage and continuously seek to improve Civil Survival's case and file management systems with the goal of allowing Civil Survival to serve as many clients as possible. Civil Survival is committed to maintaining a staff that reflects the diversity of experiences of the communities we work with. People of color, those directly impacted by the criminal legal system, people who identify as LGBTQIA2S+, people who are fluent in languages other than English, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. We envision this position as an opportunity for people, including those with lived experience, to begin a career in legal aid and advocacy. A successful legal assistant will have opportunities to grow into other positions with Civil Survival. Organization Description Civil Survival organizes system-impacted people, provides legal representation, and advocates for policy reform to restore opportunity to communities harmed by the criminal legal system. We envision a world without incarceration, where people are not limited by their pasts and are valued for their humanity. Civil Survival was founded by people harmed by the criminal legal system to advocate for each other. Our foundational commitment to build an organization made up of members of the communities remains at the core of our identity. Most of Civil Survival's staff identify as people of color and most have been arrested or incarcerated. Civil Survival's commitments to anti-racist and trauma-informed principles are centered in every aspect of our work. We offer regular race-equity and trauma-informed leadership training to all staff and ground all organizational decision-making in an anti-racist, equity-focused lens. Our leadership philosophy is rooted in the recognition that we all are continuing to grow and learn, and that can only be accomplished with regular feedback, especially from staff to leadership. We are deeply committed to transparent decision-making that centers the perspectives of all members of our team. These values and commitments have allowed us to increase access to opportunity for those harmed by the criminal legal system. We have done this by: Organizing mass assistance days that provide legal financial obligation relief to hundreds of individuals in a single day. Over the past seven years, we have hosted seven mass assistance days, eliminating over $14 million in debt for our clients. Leading systemic advocacy to make reentry legal relief accessible and automatic. Civil Survival led a coalition of organizations to improve Washington's mandatory legal financial obligations (LFOs) motion forms, making this process and relief available to thousands of additional Washingtonians. Civil Survival also led the effort to pass HB 1412 and HB 1169, which allowed for restitution relief in over 100,000 cases and eliminated $600 in mandatory LFOs for every felony conviction. Hosting weekly Game Changer groups that provide justice-involved individuals a place to learn how to advocate for systemic change, overcome their own reentry barriers, and provide peer support. Hosting multiple monthly Attorney Consultation hours to provide individuals with legal advice and self-help materials to access reentry relief; Supporting bills that expand legal rights for justice-involved individuals. Civil Survival led the passage of the Fair Chance Employment Act, which gave Washington stronger employment protections for people with criminal histories than almost any other state. Job Description The Legal Assistant provides direct support to attorneys and clients by managing case-related tasks, handling communications, and ensuring timely processing of documents. This role focuses on keeping cases moving by handling initial client administrative duties, gathering documents, preparing case closing paperwork, and managing intake calls and emails. This position is detail-oriented and fast-paced, helping ensure that tasks are completed accurately and on time. Responsibilities include: Managing attorney-client workflows, including communication and follow-ups Preparing and processing representation agreements Obtaining court records through online court portals, including the Judicial Information System and Judicial Access Browser System, and via direct communications with courts. Coordinating with clients to collect various case documents that will be utilized in representation. Filing public disclosure requests for documents related to client work. Researching court filing rules and procedures. Communicating with clients and other parties, as necessary, whether in-person, through email, or via phone or video meetings, to assess legal needs or otherwise gather information to assist in representation. Managing the Criminal History Reports Project by sending criminal history summaries to individuals interested in reentry legal relief. Managing intake phone and email lines, responding to inquiries, and routing to legal team members when appropriate. Assisting in maintaining organized and responsive client intake systems. Preparing closing packets, including assembling court orders and client representation closure letters. Handling printing, mailing, and document distribution for the legal team. Support logistics for Mass Assistance Days (e.g., mailings, materials preparation). Assisting with special projects and other clerical duties related to litigation and policy advocacy work within the organization Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Lived experience with the criminal legal system is preferred but not required. Knowledge and commitment to learn: court filing protocols; legal terminology; legal forms, documents, and citation; and federal, state, and appellate court rules. Ability to organize case files and documents in a cloud setting, maintaining an electronic case management system, and ensuring compliance with the organization's procedures to ensure accuracy in the maintenance of records. Strong organization skills—the applicant should be able to manage multiple projects, ensuring that tasks are completed in a timely manner and that lower-priority items do not slip through the cracks. Ability to work with clients with mental illness, substance use disorder, and other disabilities. The applicant should demonstrate an understanding and empathy with the stresses experienced by clients who are impacted by poverty, mental illness, unstable housing, substance use disorder, domestic strife, and other barriers. The ideal candidate will be skilled in helping these clients engage in their own representation through the principles of harm-reduction—meeting clients where they are, in a way that is responsive to their specific needs. Demonstrated cultural competence and sensitivity in working with diverse clients, communities, and colleagues. Desire to work collaboratively, with the ability to work independently. Strong drive and initiative, with the ability to manage time well in an environment of many concurrent assignments and deadlines. A willingness and desire to jump in and help on a wide variety of projects, to learn new skills, and to take ownership of assignments. Accurate and detail-oriented, with the ability to give and receive feedback effectively. Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and the ability to quickly learn and master new software applications. Proficiency with LegalServer and Asana are preferred but not required. Must reside in Washington State. Location All Civil Survival staff work remotely. In-person work will periodically be required to file documents, attend events such as court hearings, in-person legal clinics, meetings, and organizational retreats. Travel within Washington will be required periodically. Applicants from all parts of Washington State are encouraged to apply, especially those outside of the Seattle area. Compensation Salary range is $27.15/hr to $38.64/hr, depending on experience. Within the position salary range, salary increases up to 4% annually, depending on performance. An additional annual cost of living increase is provided at the discretion of the Board of Directors. This is a full-time, 40 hour/week position. Benefits include: 401k match of up to 4% of salary; Generous medical and dental benefits for employees and dependent family members; 17 paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day; 15 days vacation, accrued annually, increasing to 21 days vacation, accrued annually; 12 personal days, accrued annually; Long-term disability insurance; and Flexible Spending Account. Benefits are provided consistent with current organizational policies and are subject to change.This is a Fair Labor Standards Act non-exempt, at-will position. Continuation in the position depends on both performance and funding. Equal Opportunity Employer Civil Survival is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and fosters an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. Civil Survival actively promotes mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity. We are committed to maintaining an organization whose staff, Board and clients are diverse in background, experience, race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious affiliation, marital status, sexual identity, sensory, mental or physical abilities, veteran status, and other qualities that strengthen the program while reinforcing its commitment to basic fairness. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact Julie Wilson (she/her pronouns) at View email address on click.appcast.io or ‪View phone number on click.appcast.io. How To Apply Please submit the following to Sugam Soni at View email address on click.appcast.io by June 23, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Applications submitted through LinkedIn, Indeed, or any job posting site will not be accepted. The email subject line should clearly reference “Civil Survival Legal Assistant.” Letter of interest: The letter of interest should include a description of how your skills and experience will allow you to perform the job qualifications. We value lived experience in the criminal legal system and encourage applicants to share any lived experience in their letter of interest. Resumé. Names and contact information for three professional references. Professional references will not be contacted until the conclusion of the interview process.