Washington New American's Lead Attorney

• Employment: Full-time, Exempt
• Program Area: Immigrant Inclusion Department – Washington New Americans
• Reports To: Programs Director
• Pay Rate : $95,000 - $115,000, depending on experience
• Location: Flex/Remote and In-Person based out of the Seattle office

Deadline to Apply: November 03, 2026

BACKGROUND

OneAmerica was established in 2001 by U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal and has since grown to become a locally and nationally recognized leader in advancing immigrant, civil, and human rights. We utilize grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and civic/electoral engagement to promote justice in three areas: immigration, education and early learning, and democracy. Our family of organizations consists of OneAmerica 501(c)(3), OneAmerica Votes 501(c)(4), and OneAmerica Votes Justice Fund (PAC).

OneAmerica envisions a peaceful world where every person’s human rights and dignity are respected, where communities appreciate differences and stand together for justice and equality, and where each person contributes to the common good. All of our work is grounded in our Theory of Change and guided by the conviction that people directly impacted should lead our movement for justice because they are best equipped to create real solutions that build lasting power. Grassroots immigrant leaders—our base—drive priorities across our organization.

You'll be stepping into an organization in a strong position: 25 years of relationship-building and political credibility, stable and growing funding, and deeply committed leadership and staff. But what makes this position truly exceptional is the nature of the fight itself. Immigrants are under attack nationally, and Washington State is where we push back, where we win, and where we're actively modeling for the rest of the country what it looks like to fully include immigrants as part of the fabric of our communities.

This is a chance to be at the center of that fight: to lead a resistance movement inside an organization committed to long-term power building and real wins for immigrants in Washington State. For the right person, there is no more exciting or meaningful place to work.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Lead Attorney serves as the lead legal expert for Washington New Americans (WNA), a statewide program dedicated to helping eligible lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens, voters, and active members of their communities. The Lead Attorney does not provide direct representation to individual clients, but instead provides legal consultation, training, technical assistance, and capacity-building support to WNA staff, DOJ Accredited Representatives, grantees, and partners across Washington State.

This position provides legal oversight, case review, mentorship, and quality assurance for WNA's naturalization services and statewide pro se naturalization workshops. The Lead Attorney exercises independent legal judgment, ensures compliance with legal and ethical standards, and helps strengthen the capacity of WNA's naturalization network.

While program staff report directly to the Programs Director, the Lead Attorney provides legal supervision and guidance to DOJ Accredited Representatives and staff engaged in naturalization services. The position is based in our Seattle office, reports to the Programs Director, and is a member of the Washington New Americans team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Naturalization Clinics Legal Support - Focus: Clinic & Legal Volunteers (30%)

Create and maintain materials, resources, and legal guidance for naturalization clinics.

Support screening, intake, and legal issue-spotting for clinic participants and provide legal support for the WNA hotline.

Staff four (4) naturalization clinics throughout the year, providing legal review and oversight of naturalization applications.

Develop and deliver training for volunteer attorneys and clinic volunteers in advance of and during naturalization clinics.

Collaborate with key partners supporting naturalization efforts, including government agencies, legal service providers, and pro bono stakeholders.

Recruit and engage pro bono attorneys and volunteers to support clinic operations.

Legal Supervision (30%)

Provide legal supervision, guidance, and case consultation to DOJ Accredited Representatives and WNA staff engaged in naturalization work.

Serve as WNA's primary subject matter expert on naturalization law, policy, and procedure.

Ensure legal services comply with applicable laws, ethical requirements, DOJ recognition and accreditation standards, and program guidelines.

Support the professional development of DOJ Accredited Representatives through mentorship, coaching, and legal analysis.

Develop and implement quality assurance processes to strengthen legal service delivery and case management.

Partner with the Programs Director to identify staff development, training, and capacity-building needs.

Technical Assistance, Training, and Capacity Building (20%)

Provide technical assistance to grantees and community partners on naturalization law and complex citizenship cases.

Design and deliver training, tools, and resources that strengthen statewide naturalization services.

Maintain current knowledge of immigration and naturalization law, policy, and procedures and disseminate updates to partners.

Foster a community of practice among WNA grantees and naturalization providers across Washington State.

Identify and implement operational improvements, including technology solutions, to enhance service delivery and program effectiveness.

In partnership with the Programs Director, support in building the capacity of legal service providers, community-based organizations, and pro bono partners to expand access to naturalization services across WA State.

Legal Analysis and Strategic Advising (15%)

Provide policy research, analysis, and legal expertise on immigration and naturalization issues to support local, state, and national advocacy efforts.

Coordinate and support stakeholder feedback, including federal comments related to naturalization policy and practice.

Partner with the Chief of Staff and Program Director to identify emerging legal and policy developments that may impact OneAmerica, WNA, its partners, and the communities it serves.

Perform other tasks and responsibilities assigned by supervisory staff depending on OneAmerica/WNA's needs (5%)

QUALIFICATIONS & ATTRIBUTES

OneAmerica is seeking candidates who are passionate about our mission and are highly proactive. While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications below, our ideal candidate would bring:

REQUIRED

Licensed attorney, preferably in Washington State.

Minimum of five (5) years of specialized experience in naturalization and citizenship law, including complex naturalization cases.

Demonstrated expertise in naturalization law, policy, and procedure, including the ability to provide legal analysis, interpret regulatory and policy changes, and offer strategic guidance.

Strong ability to work independently, exercise sound legal judgment, establish professional boundaries, and foster accountability.

Commitment to social justice and building power in immigrant communities

PREFERRED

Experience providing legal supervision, mentorship, and/or oversight to DOJ Accredited Representatives or other legal practitioners.

Experience developing and delivering legal trainings, technical assistance, and capacity-building support to legal service providers and community-based organizations.

Demonstrated leadership skills, including staff development, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Multilingual skills a plus (Spanish, Dari, and Pashto is preferred)

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Willingness to accommodate community-based scheduling needs such as evening and weekend meetings

Access to reliable transportation and willingness to travel throughout Washington State and nat