CAREERS

OPEN POSITIONS

Associate Attorney

Are you a new(ish) lawyer looking to get courtroom experience and take a crack at drafting some briefs? If so, drop us a holler. We're looking for attorneys who:

Are licensed in Washington State (or are eligible for admission by motion or UBE score transfer).
Are interested in litigation and representing working people.
Have a growth-oriented mindset.
Have solid writing skills.
Aren't afraid to get creative or take calculated risks.

Attorneys with 0-3 years of experience can expect a minimum salary starting at $5,200.00/month (pre-tax). Wages will grow as revenue increases. Candidates with 3-5 years of experience are invited to apply and name their preferred salary. Benefits are negotiable.

To apply, email office@denovo-law.com with:

Your resume (one page preferred—an actual human will be reading it);
A writing sample; and
A short(ish) description of the three goals you’d like to achieve in your first year at De Novo Law.

All are gladly welcome here, so candidates with diverse, unique, or non-traditional backgrounds or experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.

No cover letter needed, so please don't use ChatGPT (or some other Gen AI).

Don't see your dream-job listed? Send us your resume anyways. As they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

office@denovo-law.com

DO GOOD WITH GOOD PEOPLE.

Based in Seattle, De Novo Law aiding clients throughout Washington and Oregon access justice. We are a mission-driven group of individuals dedicated to helping individuals, families, and small to mid-sized businesses navigate complex legal situations. We work in a broad variety of practice areas for a wide array of clients, and we take pride in fiercely advocating for our clients. Joining De Novo Law means becoming part of a firm that values integrity, experience, and a relentless pursuit of justice. If you’re passionate about making a difference and seeking a dynamic, supportive environment, De Novo Law is the place for you.

We take hard cases: Our goal is to advocate for those who need legal representation. Sometimes, that means taking a case that (to put it gently) is risky. Sometimes, it means stepping into a lawsuit months before trial. Sometimes, that means picking a fit with a big corporation. The bottom line is that we're on the front lines because we believe that everyone deserves an advocate.
We prioritize pro bono work and community contributions: No human is an island: we all benefit from being a part of our community. That's why our staff and attorneys are encouraged to take on pro bono and volunteer work. We empower our employees to help-for-free freely because giving back improves not just the health of our community, but the health of our soul.
We're a General Practice firm: Yes, they do still exist, and De Novo Law is one of them. Our clients are diverse, and so are their legal needs. Whether its drafting a simple will, fighting an insurance company, or appealing a bad trial court decision, we're willing to help if we have the capacity to do it. (The only exceptions are criminal and family law cases in trial courts, which our firm does not handle. However, if you have experience in those areas, we're happy always open to expanding our practice areas).

Fair pay: We're not gonna sugarcoat it—we're a new firm focused on helping working folks and small businesses. The result: nobody's getting rich here. But while we can't offer you a Big Law salary, we because are committed to justice in everything we do, and we will pay a fair wage. Our office is (trying) to be radically transparent in how we decide wages. Part of that means that you'll know what the financial situation is looking like to help you determine whether you're getting paid fairly.

Work-Life Balance: Everyone wants it; (almost) every law firm promises it; few attain it. We think we can make it happen for you. Our firm is trying to get away from the billable hour. That means no annual billable-hour requirements or monthly billable-hour check-ins. It also means that your weekend plans aren't contingent on how many hours you billed during the week.

Hybrid Work Style: We know, we know--you've heard that song before. But we're serious about it (because our founder does it too). We require two (2) "in-office" days where everyone is present so we have the chance to collaborate with and learn from each other. Other than that, work from where you are. Brief-writing from the beach? Don't forget your sunscreen. Jumping on a call before jumping on your flight? Just make sure to put your phone in airplane mode before take-off.

Collaborative environment: The practice of law is a team sport. We're proud to work with smart, hard-working people. Employees are encouraged to offer their thoughts and collaborate on cases as needed. By share responsibility, ideas, and struggles, we are able to do our best work.

Some travel required: At the risk of sounding old, we've got to say it: somethings really are better in person. Whenever possible, we show up. Literally. Depositions, hearings, and mediations are important milestones in a case, and ZOOM just isn't an adequate substitute. We're not jet-setting or road-tripping every week, but to best represent our clients, we do travel to courtrooms (or conference rooms).

Growth mindset: Lawyering is an art, not a science. If there was a magic formula, AI would already be doing our jobs. At De Novo Law, we don't do "legal work", we "practice law"--with an emphasis on practice. Nobody has all the answer (even AI). And everybody makes mistakes. That's great! Every case is an opportunity to both help our clients and improve our abilities. If you're looking for a place that values mentorship and encourages new ideas and perspectives, here it is.

A creative approach: "Brief banks"; cut-and-paste templates; standard document requests: yes, they're efficient. But they also suck the fun out of practicing law. Leave the cookie-cutter pleadings and discovery requests for Big Law. If you're looking to try something different to help working people and small businesses, we're here for it (and you should be here with us).

Some patience: No one's perfect--us included. We promise to patient with you if you promise to return the favor.

Your whole self: You've worked hard to get where you are. There's nothing about you that needs hiding. Our community and our clients only stand to gain when you lean into what makes you, you.