Litigation Counsel (10+ years experience)

Van Ness Feldman is seeking a litigation attorney with at least 10 years of relevant experience in leading litigation in local administrative hearings, state tribunals, and/or state court to join our Litigation, Enforcement, and Investigations practice group. This position is based in our Seattle office on a hybrid in-office basis.

Who We Are

VNF’s litigation practice group represents clients in environmental litigation in local administrative hearings, state tribunals, and/or state court. The practice group regularly supports VNF’s Environment, Land Use, Natural Resources, Real Estate, and Energy Regulatory practice groups in litigation matters including under state and federal statutes. While VNF is organized into these primary practice groups, our professionals also work on complex litigation and claims for clients beyond environment and energy.

What You’ll Do

The successful attorney will be given significant responsibility within a dynamic and collegial team-based structure. The attorney will work directly with other experienced environmental litigators and regulatory attorneys on a variety of matters. The attorney will also support more junior associates through mentoring, training, and delegation. While the work will be primarily litigation, a portion of the work may include representation of clients in non-litigation matters.

Skills and Qualifications

Role Specific Skills and Experience

First chair experience with major litigation matters in local, state tribunal, or state court

Experience in drafting legal work product such as legal memoranda, client recommendations, pleadings, and/or discovery requests and responses

Experience taking and defending depositions

Experience handling discovery disputes

Experience in trial presentation, including examination of witnesses, introduction of evidence, and oral advocacy

Experience with major state and federal environmental statutes and implementing regulations.

Basic Qualifications

• Graduated with a JD or LLM from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active admission or eligibility for admission in in Washington State
• 10+ of experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong academic credentials
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent research, drafting, and writing skills, and ability to produce high-quality work on tight timelines
• Excellent oral communication skills including the ability to communicate clearly, directly, and practically with clients and colleagues
• Ability to manage matters independently and proactively drive work forward
• Ability to quickly learn new issues and apply that understanding in practice

Experience with condemnation matters

About Us

Van Ness Feldman is a nationally recognized law firm focused on energy, environmental, and natural resources law and policy. Home to 100 attorneys and policy professionals, the Firm has offices in Washington, DC; Seattle; the Bay Area; Houston; and Louisiana. For nearly 50 years, the Firm has provided strategic business advice, legislative and policy advocacy, legal and regulatory compliance counsel, representation in administrative proceedings and litigation, and support for project development, permitting, and transactions.

In addition to joining an active and highly collaborative team, the candidate will be part of a Firm that is committed to accommodating a healthy work/life balance. Associates are expected to be in the office at least three days a week, but scheduling is flexible. With a 1,700 annual billable hour requirement, (of which up to 100 hours can be qualifying pro bono or business development activities), associates are encouraged to work hard while cultivating their passions outside the office.

The Firm rewards associates who exceed the target with a generous bonus. The culture at VNF relies on mutual respect, appreciation, and support of one another. A focus on professional development is central, which includes regular feedback and training opportunities to enhance professional growth. VNF seeks individuals who share this approach and bring a collaborative mindset to our unique and rewarding Firm culture.

Van Ness Feldman is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For this position, the good-faith annual base salary range is $190,000 - $215,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and office location. In addition to base salary, compensation may include a bonus based on hours and other applicable criteria. The Firm also offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) profit-sharing plan, paid time off, paid holidays, parental leave, life and disability insurance, employee assistance resources, and professional development opportunities.

Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process may contact [email protected].