Build a Practice With a Defined Path Forward
You already know how to manage a case, advise clients through difficult decisions, prepare for court, and exercise judgment when the answer is not obvious.
The next question is whether your firm offers a meaningful future beyond handling another year of files.
Pacific Northwest Family Law is hiring a senior family law attorney for its Richland office. This position combines substantial case responsibility with a defined partnership track for an attorney who wants to build a long-term practice, contribute to the development of the firm, and grow into greater professional responsibility.
You will not need basic instruction in how to practice family law. You will need to learn our systems, understand how our teams work together, and bring sound judgment to sophisticated and emotionally difficult matters
The Role
You will independently manage family law cases from initial strategy through negotiated resolution or trial.
Your work will include:
- Developing case strategy and advising clients
- Managing complex or high-conflict family law matters
- Drafting and reviewing pleadings, motions, discovery, and settlement documents
- Preparing clients and witnesses for testimony
- Negotiating resolutions
- Appearing at hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trials
- Managing deadlines and maintaining consistent client communication
- Working with legal assistants and administrative staff
- Consulting with other experienced attorneys when collaboration benefits the client
- Sharing knowledge and helping strengthen the firm’s legal practice
Our attorneys focus on legal work. They are not expected to spend their days screening leads, conducting routine intake consultations, collecting fees, or handling avoidable administrative tasks. Dedicated intake, billing, administrative, and legal-support teams handle that infrastructure.
A Defined Partnership Track
This is not a position designed to leave an experienced attorney at the same level indefinitely.
The role is part of Pacific Northwest Family Law’s defined partnership track. A senior attorney who demonstrates strong legal judgment, reliable client service, productive case management, leadership, and alignment with the firm’s standards can build toward partnership rather than waiting for an undefined opportunity that may never materialize.
Partnership is not automatic, and the title is not awarded merely for remaining with the firm for a certain number of years. The track is intended for attorneys who want to contribute beyond their individual caseload and demonstrate that they can help strengthen the firm, support other attorneys, and take responsibility for its long-term success.
For the right attorney, the Richland position also offers the opportunity to assume greater leadership responsibility as the office and firm continue to grow.
Who We Are Looking For
Applicants must be active members in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.
The strongest candidates will have:
- Seven or more years of family law experience
- The ability to manage substantial cases independently
- Meaningful courtroom and trial experience
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills
- Sound judgment in complex or high-conflict matters
- The ability to advise clients directly and practically
- Consistent responsiveness and personal accountability
- The willingness to learn and use established firm systems
- The maturity to provide and receive professional feedback
- An interest in mentoring and supporting less-experienced attorneys
- The potential to assume greater leadership responsibility
- A desire to build a long-term practice in Richland and the Tri-Cities
Family law experience is the principal requirement. Litigation experience in another practice area may strengthen a candidate’s background, but it is not a substitute for substantial experience handling family law matters.
Spanish-language ability is useful but not required.
Compensation and Expectations
The base-salary range for this position is:
$135,000–$175,000 per year
Placement within the range will depend on family law experience, demonstrated capability, trial experience, professional judgment, and the ability to manage sophisticated cases independently.
Attorneys are expected to complete 1,500 credited hours annually. Up to 100 hours of approved pro bono work may count toward that requirement.
Additional performance-based compensation is available for collected attorney revenue attributable to work above 1,500 credited hours annually.
This position also includes:
- Reimbursement of reasonable relocation expenses up to $5,000
- A $2,500 retention bonus after six months
- A second $2,500 retention bonus after nine months
- A third $2,500 retention bonus after twelve months
Retention-bonus eligibility requires the attorney to be actively employed and in good standing on each payment date.
Independence With Strong Infrastructure
Senior attorneys are expected to take ownership of their cases and exercise independent judgment. They are not expected to practice in isolation.
You will work alongside attorneys with substantial family law, litigation, appellate, military, and government experience. You will also have legal-assistant, intake, billing, and administrative support designed to keep your attention on client counseling, strategy, advocacy, and results.
The firm provides systems and support, but the role still requires initiative, judgment, and accountability.
Benefits
Benefits include:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Retirement benefits
- Payment of Washington State Bar dues
- Prepaid, unlimited continuing legal education through NBI
- Partnership-track opportunity
- Opportunities for mentorship and increased leadership responsibility
Time Away From Work
Attorneys manage their own schedules rather than requesting vacation and holidays through a traditional leave system.
Time away may be scheduled as needed, provided client obligations, court deadlines, and the annual credited-hour requirement are met.
Why Richland
Richland and the broader Tri-Cities region offer the opportunity to build a substantial family law practice in a growing Washington community.
The area has an active legal market, major regional employers, established families, and meaningful demand for experienced family law counsel. It also offers access to rivers, trails, outdoor recreation, wineries, and the connected communities of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco.
For an experienced attorney, this position offers more than another caseload. It offers the opportunity to build a durable practice, contribute to the growth of an office, and pursue a defined path toward partnership.
To Apply
Apply through the form on this page or send a résumé, cover letter, and writing sample to:
In your cover letter, explain why you are interested in practicing family law in the Tri-Cities and what you want the next stage of your career to include.