Disciplinary Counselor I

Office of Disciplinary Counsel – Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)

***Remote/hybrid*** Within the state of Washington

Salary Range: $90,099 to $90,099 + Washington State Employee Benefits and Retirement
FLSA: Full-time, exempt

Timeline for submitting the application: On or before 10/20/2025

The mission of the WSBA is to serve the public and members of the Bar, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession, and to advocate for justice.

Summary of purpose and function:

Disciplinary Counsel exercises the authority delegated by the Washington Supreme Court to serve as counsel in all matters under the Washington Supreme Court’s Enforcement of Lawyers Conduct (ELC) Rules.

Disciplinary Counsel is responsible for efficiently and effectively conducting investigations, prosecutions, and appeals regarding attorney misconduct or incompetence.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Investigation into disciplinary matters:

• Investigates and analyzes grievances alleging ethical misconduct by attorneys in accordance with ELC and Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) procedures.
• He quickly and accurately determines the best means to protect the public from harmful and unprofessional conduct by attorneys, and to protect defendant attorneys from unfounded allegations, all in the service of preserving the integrity of the profession.
• Attorneys may be required to provide written responses, records, files, and accounts, appear for interviews or depositions, and seek the suspension of attorneys who do not cooperate with investigations.
• Directs the work of investigators, paralegals, administrative assistants and auditors who are assigned to assist in their investigations and is responsible for ensuring that the conduct of these persons complies with the professional obligations of disciplinary counsel under the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Supreme Court (RPC) and the RPC, including the obligation of strict confidentiality.
• Upon completion of the investigation, they apply the law to the facts, evaluate the appropriate resolution of the issues—whether by dismissal, deferral, transfer, or request public discipline against the attorney—and then draft letters and memos detailing the results of their investigation.

Disciplinary issues:

• Conducts trial-like hearings in public disciplinary cases.
• Drafting pleadings, motions, discovery requests, briefs, and responses to papers filed by defendant attorneys.
• Decides what evidence will be presented during disciplinary hearings, determines how evidence will be admitted, conducts legal research, and prepares witnesses.
• Decides what objections or evidentiary conditions are appropriate to make, presents opening statements and closing arguments, and must be able to effectively cross-examine and cross-examine witnesses.
• Represents ODC at settlement conferences pursuant to orders of the Hearing Officer.
• Summarizes and argues discipline and disability issues in appeals to the Disciplinary Board and the Supreme Court, organizing the facts and arguments of the ODC in a clear and convincing manner.
• Answers questions from the Board and the Court during oral arguments.
• Prepares temporary suspension petitions to the Washington Supreme Court if an attorney fails to cooperate during an investigation, receives a felony conviction, is declared incapacitated, poses a direct threat to the public, or after the Disciplinary Board recommends disbarment.
• Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of each case to make recommendations on sanctions.
• Negotiating and drafting proposed terms for discipline, inactive disability status, and resignations in lieu of discipline.

Performs other duties as assigned:

• Performs other duties as assigned, which include consulting with members about the conduct of other members, providing CLEs, coordinating with Assistant Trial Counsel, Assistant Investigative Counsel, or Special Disciplinary Counsel, and providing staff support or liaising with special groups, committees, and task forces within and outside of the ODC.

Required education:

• Bachelor’s degree and completion of a Juris Doctor or Law Clerk program.

Required experience:

• At least two years of experience practicing law, including litigation experience; Active Washington license to practice law.

Preferred experience:

• 7 or more years of law practice with experience in criminal, civil, and/or appellate areas preferred.

Competencies (skills/abilities) required:

• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced attention to detail.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• The ability to maintain complete confidentiality of information.
• Ability to adapt to changing technological requirements.
• – Proficiency in legal research.
• Advanced knowledge of legal procedures (will be trained in specific attorney disciplinary procedures).
• Teamwork and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft 365, OneDrive, SharePoint, etc. under Windows. Possess strong technical ability to learn others quickly, including existing WSBA systems (e.g., Westlaw, Docrio/Litify, case management software, video conferencing technology, etc.), copiers, scanners, fax machines, standard office equipment, and courtroom display technology.

Working conditions:

This position, although primarily remote, must be flexible to work in the office (Seattle, WA) or travel within Washington State as necessary, or as required. This position may also have the option to work in the office. For remote work, you must have a suitable home/work environment and access to the Internet, to perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature.

Employment with the Washington State Bar Association requires that WSBA employees reside within Washington State at the time of employment, and during active employment status.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS TO BE PERFORMED, WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: This position must be able to work regularly five days per week in an office environment (remote or in-office), and possess the ability to sit/stand primarily, use a computer, and lift/push/pull items weighing up to 25 pounds. Must be able to operate a computer keyboard, and other standard office equipment (e.g. printer/scanner/fax/telephone). This position must be able to read, write, and converse with others in English.

• Washington State Retirement System (DRS/PERS), including an optional deferred compensation plan
• Medical benefits (including Rx) are through the Western Australian Health Care Authority, with the WSBA paying the majority of the premium cost.
• 100% paid premiums for dental and vision employees
• Long-term disability and life insurance plans
• Generous paid time off benefits (sick, vacation, vacation, vacation, emergency leave)
• Relocation incentives, *based on basic job selection requirements
• Home office setup allowance, *based on remote work selection option
• Free employee assistance program, and national employee discount program
• You will work with a team of supportive, collaborative, creative and dedicated colleagues to achieve the WSBA’s mission
• A company culture that truly focuses on achieving work-life balance for its employees through 4 columns: 1) Excellence (mission-driven results), 2) Unity (team-driven results), 3) Integrity (value-driven results), and 4 Joy! (People-driven culture).

To consider and apply: Interested candidates must Apply online here And submit the following required materials: a comprehensive professional cover letter, CV, and writing sample (writing sample will be revised if it is an actual case). Applications submitted without this information will be considered incomplete.

WSBA employees must be licensed to work in the United States on a permanent basis, upon hire. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

The WSBA administers a pre-employment background check based on a conditional verbal offer, prior to employment.

Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) It 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 approximately 40,000 legal professionals, including attorneys, limited practice officers, and limited-licensure legal technicians. The World Association of Lawyers organizes legal professionals under the jurisdiction of the Court and serves its members as a professional association – all without public funding. He runs the WSBA Bar admission processIncluding the bar exam; Provides record keeping and Licensing jobs; runs Lawyers’ disciplinary system. And it offers Continuing legal education for legal professionals, in addition to many other educational and member service activities.

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, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The data contained in this job advertisement is not necessarily exhaustive; Additional duties may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.

Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Summary of benefits, Compensation philosophy and Compensation network