Disciplinary Counsel

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

Remote/Hybrid within Washington State
Salary Range
: $90,099 to $90,099 + Washington State Employee Benefits and Retirement
FLSA
:
Full-time, Exempt
Final date to receive applications
: 12/7/2025

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.

Disciplinary Counsel exercise authority delegated by the Washington Supreme Court to act as counsel on all matters under the Washington Supreme Court’s Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct (ELC).

Disciplinary Counsel are responsible for the efficient and effective conduct of investigations, prosecutions, and appeals related to lawyer misconduct or incapacity.

• Investigates and analyzes grievances alleging ethical misconduct by lawyers in accordance with the ELC and Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) procedure.
• Promptly and accurately determines the best means to protect the public from harmful and unprofessional conduct by lawyers, and protect respondent lawyers from unfounded allegations, all in service of maintaining the integrity of the profession.
• May require lawyers to provide written responses, records, files and accounts, appear for interviews or depositions, and seek suspension of lawyers who fail to cooperate with investigations.
• Directs the work of investigators, paralegals, administrative assistants, and auditors who have been assigned to assist their investigations, and are responsible for ensuring that the conduct of these persons is compatible with Disciplinary Counsel’s professional obligations under the Supreme Court’s Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) and the ELC, including the obligation of strict confidentiality.
• Upon completion of an investigation, applies the law to the facts, assesses the proper resolution of the matters – whether to dismiss, defer, divert, or seek public discipline against the lawyer – and then drafts letters and memoranda that detail the results of their investigations.

• Conducts trial-like hearings of public disciplinary cases.
• Drafts pleadings, motions, discovery requests, briefs, and responses to papers filed by respondent lawyers.
• Decides what evidence to present during disciplinary hearings, determines how to admit evidence, conducts legal research, and prepares witnesses.
• Decides what evidentiary objections or stipulations are appropriate to make, presents opening statements and closing arguments, and must be able to effectively examine and cross-examine witnesses.
• Represents ODC in conducting settlement conferences as ordered by a hearing officer.
• Briefs and argues discipline and disability cases in appeals to the Disciplinary Board and Supreme Court, and organizes facts and ODC’s arguments in a clear, cogent manner.
• Responds to questions from the Board and the Court during oral arguments.
• Prepares interim suspension petitions to the Washington Supreme Court if a lawyer fails to cooperate during the investigation, receives a felony conviction, && declares a disability, presents an immediate threat to the public, or after the Disciplinary Board recommends disbarment.
• Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of each case to make sanction recommendations.
• Negotiates and drafts proposed stipulations to discipline, disability inactive status, and resignations in lieu of discipline.

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

• Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor or Law Clerk Program Completion.

• Minimum 2 years practicing law, including litigation experience; active Washington license to practice law.

• 7 or more years practicing law…