Exploring Legal Job Opportunities in Spokane

A Look at Spokane’s Legal Job Market

The Spokane legal market features a diverse range of legal practices, from family law to corporate law, and offers many opportunities for new attorneys looking to start their careers. Demand for legal professionals in Spokane has been steady over the past few years, providing a solid footing for those seeking in-house positions or partnerships. Among the largest employers are multi-practice law firms, including and others. Within each of these firms, candidates can find opportunities in numerous practice areas and specialties, such as environmental law or civil litigation. The largest concentration of legal work is in civil practice and litigation, but criminal law, estate planning , and intellectual property also carry a large workload. The most recent data shows 300 lawyers in Spokane, working at nearly 20 different law firms (sizing up with a lawyer to population ratio of 1 lawyer for every 1,178 people), which accounts for Spokane County’s entire workforce. Top law schools represented in the area include Washington State University, Seattle University, Gonzaga and University of Washington. The majority of attorneys are undergraduate-educated alumni of University of Washington, while the largest law school represented is Gonzaga (attended by one in five attorneys) and top-practice area for these firms is civil. In the past year alone, the Spokane metropolitan area grew by 3,200 jobs. The unemployment rate is down to 5.2 percent, as of October 2015.

Employers Who Seek Attorneys in Spokane

Although the legal market has tightened overall, Spokane remains a dynamic region for legal professionals. The following list is not all-inclusive, but highlights major employers of legal professionals in the Spokane region. Major Spokane Law Firms Above the Law reported on the most recent AmLaw rankings of Spokane’s largest firms. In those rankings, the top 10 firms in Spokane in terms of revenue are; These firms maintain their headquarters in Spokane and continue to be important players in the Spokane legal market. However, a look at smaller law firms in Spokane shows that these firms have their advantages too. For example, most of the Spokane legal market is comprised of firms in the 1 to 25 attorney range. These smaller firms do provide great opportunities for personal attention in smaller environments. Regional and National Law Firms with Offices in Spokane Bellevue based law firm Foster Pepper has a small office in Spokane and is often listed among the top 100 US Firms. In addition to a Spokane office, Seattle based Garvey Schubert Barer has Spokane offices as well. We have worked with Garvey Schubert Barer recruiting for their Spokane office. Other firms include: Garvey Schubert Barer – Seattle, WA Hawley Troxell – Boise, ID Scott & Scriven – Coeur d’Alene, ID Minority Owned Law Firms in Spokane There are two minority owned law firms in Spokane; Eggers, Ozment & McGulie and Ison & Raskin. Both firms focus on consumer debtors’ rights and personal bankruptcies. Other Major Employers of Legal Professionals in Spokane The most notable corporate employer of legal professionals in Spokane is Gonzaga University. The school generally hires one to two lawyers per year, mostly in the student loan collections area. I have placed a few attorneys with Gonzaga over the years. They offer wonderful opportunities, but the firm hires a small number of lawyers on a relatively infrequent basis. Another notable legal employer is the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office. This is a great opportunity for seeking a trial experience in criminal law practice. Hallie Green, the prosecutor has been a consistent true friend to the legal community and a quality employer. Our agency has worked with Spokane County in recruiting for their prosecutors over the years. Spokane County is also home to the Washington Courts. The courts have over 144 positions, making it another major employer of Spokane area lawyers.

Highly Sought After Areas of Expertise in Law

In addition to an expanding roster of the country’s most well-regarded corporate legal firms setting up shop in the state, now more than ever, firms are hiring attorneys with different specialties to serve a broad range of clients. As a result, a variety of legal specializations are in demand in Spokane.
Criminal Law
Criminal defense attorneys are in high demand for both defense and prosecution functions such as the Washington State Attorney General. The majority of criminal attorneys serve as public defenders, prosecutors, or independent defense counsel.
Personal Injury
Spokane personal injury attorneys handle cases ranging from auto accidents to medical malpractice. A demand exists for attorneys with experience in several areas of personal injury litigation.
Corporate Law
With a diverse local economy comes diversity in the corporate law firms that serve it. Corporate law firms in Spokane specialize in several practice areas including business, real estate, employment and labor, and estate planning.
Family Law
Lawyers focusing on family law issues demand a high hourly pay which makes for a strong return on investment for those who can bring skills in this field to a law firm. Domestic violence, property discovery, child abuse, child support, and divorce are all areas of this specialization.
Immigration Law
Immigration law is a major specialization in Spokane as it has been in towns and cities across the state. Immigration lawyers are in demand as the immigration issue remains a hot-button topic on the national stage.
Bankruptcy Law
The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005 has brought about a dramatic increase in the demand for bankruptcy lawyers. A wide range of previously unpaid debts are now arising which qualify for bankruptcy proceedings. As a result, bankruptcy attorneys are in demand in Spokane.
Real Estate Law
Seattle is known for its land and waterfront, so it’s no surprise a demand exists for real estate lawyers in Spokane. Real estate lawyers in Spokane handle matters such as land development, land use, litigation, and residential closings.
Tax Law
Tax lawyers are in demand across the country. Especially those with experienced in tax litigation. Tax law attorneys in Spokane usually have backgrounds in general corporate law.
Not every law firm in Spokane will focus on all of these in-demand specializations. Before choosing a firm, it is helpful to do research into its specialties when seeking a job.

Qualifications and Certifications

Legal job opportunities in Spokane typically require candidates to possess a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Many employers also prefer that candidates have prior legal experience, which may include internships, externships, or clerkships during law school. Admittance to the Washington State Bar Association, through the Washington State Bar Exam, is a requisite. In addition to passing the examination, which is administered twice a year at the Spokane Convention Center, applicants must pass the Washington Character and Fitness examination, as well as the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Washington State is one of just a few states that employ the Combined Bar Examination, which consists of both a substantive and a procedural portion. Although licensure and continuing legal education (CLE) requirements vary by specialization, all licensed attorneys must complete a minimum of 30 hours of CLE within a calendar year.
While there are numerous non-legal job positions available within the Spokane judicial system, all legal positions require a Washington state bar admission. Many employers in Spokane look favorably on certification in specific areas of law. For example, candidates for prosecutorial positions may be required to demonstrate familiarity with prosecutorial procedures, as well as prior experience on the job or through legal clinics. Candidates who have obtained CLE in trial advocacy, prosecutor training or similar programs, especially at the state level, may have a distinct advantage when applying for employment with a prosecutor’s office.
Legal professionals interested in becoming district court judges may be appointed by the Spokane Superior Court based on established criteria. Despite varying qualifications, most positions require applicants to demonstrate an understanding of both civil and criminal law, as well as county laws. Spokane County judges are expected to exercise the ability to make sound judicial judgments. Similar to the disqualification criteria for other Washington judges, Spokane judges may be barred from judicial office if they have demonstrated a pattern of biased behavior. The city’s judicial magistrates are appointed by a sitting city judge, with interviews and background checks conducted through the Spokane Human Resources Department.

Professional Groups and Networking

Networking is not just for business professionals; a successful legal career largely depends on it, too. Informal networking through social interactions, such as meeting fellow attorneys at Spokane-area bars and restaurants, or formal networking events where you actually have to put effort in to connect with other legal professionals, are both important components of a successful legal career.
The Washington Young Lawyers Association states that the purpose of the group "is to assist in the provision of law-related services by young lawyers and to promote opportunities for young lawyers to work with other young lawyers and experienced practitioners within the community."
There are helpful resources within the organization to connect you with other attorneys in Spokane and all over the state. The local adjunct in Spokane is the Spokane Young Lawyers Association, or SYLA. In August 2017, the Spokane County Clerk’s Office offered free membership to all new attorneys licensed in Washington and working in Spokane County, which is a great way to get started.
Most states have a Bar Association that serves as a social connection for lawyers and law students. You can check with your state’s Bar Association for information on networking opportunities and events in your area. In Spokane, it’s the Spokane County Bar Association.
For some attendees, the networking experience may mean waking up at 5:30 a.m . to get to Breakfast with the Bench, a monthly breakfast held by the SCBA, which gives members the chance to chat with judges from various local courts while eating the morning meal. It’s a great way to meet and network with judges and other legal professionals. Other networking opportunities include bar luncheons, litigation section meetings, and happy hours.
Attending events regularly is your best way to make connections and stay top of mind with your peers.
Do you ever feel like there are not enough hours in the day to attend everything? If so, that’s okay; you don’t have to go to everything. Your best bet is to determine which events are most beneficial for you. For example, if continuing legal education interests you, then a CLE event is where you’ll want to be. If you’d rather not sit in a chair learning about the newest social media strategies for law firms, you can opt out of the social media CLE and learn how to market yourself on social media at a later time in favor of networking at the happy hour. A good tip is to prioritize the events based on what high-profile attendees will be there, if there are any. If a judge you’d really like to meet is attending, that’s an event you’ll want to attend.
Don’t think networking is something you only need to worry about at the beginning of your legal career. Attorneys should establish and maintain professional relationships throughout their whole career in order to boost their career, open doors, and create business opportunities.

Where to Search for Legal Job Openings in Spokane

The first step in your job search is to know where to look. Most of the legal jobs available in Spokane are advertised on posting boards, many of which can be found online. Jobs at courts, for example, are usually advertised through the Washington Courts website. Of course, career-specific job boards are also a good source of job inquiries. The Association of Law Firm Administrators’ site lists various legal jobs, as does the Job in Law site. There’s also the Washington State Bar Association’s own job board, and more job boards can be found on organization’s websites like Washington Employment Lawyers, Washington Employment Lawyers Association and the Washington State Association For Justice.
Another great resource is recruiting agencies. A recruiting agency can help you find positions that might not be posted on job boards, and work with the employers for you so that you don’t have to do as much legwork in finding a job. They will also help you organize, personalize, and customize your resume so that hiring managers will take note. Working with a recruiter means that they will guide you through the whole process (from search to getting hired) and they will also keep a tab on you for the next possible hiring opportunities. This takes the pressure off of you to find a job on your own.
And then, of course, there’s the major online platforms, like Indeed or Monster.com. Many law firms on these websites will list application deadlines, but most require applicants to have an account with them.

Advice on How to Apply for Spokane Legal Positions

Whether it’s a recently graduated law student or someone with several years of experience, a standout resume is often the primary tool for landing not just one interview, but several. It’s essential that you practice exceptional attention to detail when crafting your resume. You don’t want to miss single spacing, indentation, or punctuation that may seem trivial to the inexperienced eye. A cover letter specific to your area of focus is equally important as it grants you an opportunity to showcase your character. If you are applying for a specific job, be sure to explain why you are a perfect fit. Hiring partners will get dozens of applications, and their biggest desire is to find someone who will mesh well with their existing team and fill a specific need. If you receive an interview , preparation is key. Thoroughly research the firm and review its website beforehand. Have a few questions handy which demonstrate your commitment to the job, and be sure that you ask them. Many firms will ask for a writing sample, either in advance of your interview or in the interview itself. Your writing sample will likely be a key component to your success. It should be: logical, error free, clear and succinct, and easy to read. Request feedback on your writing sample from as many trusted people as possible. Finally, what you wear to the interview can be important, so arrive looking professional. A good rule of thumb is to wear something more conservative than what you would normally wear on the job. You want to show that you are polished and thoughtful about every detail.