Family Law Complex Litigation Advocacy PLLC is seeking an experienced Appellate-Level Attorney to handle family law appeals exclusively. This position is designed for a highly skilled legal writer and strategist with a deep understanding of appellate practice, preservation of error, and complex family law issues arising from trial court proceedings.
Role Overview
The Appellate Attorney will be responsible for reviewing trial records, identifying appealable issues, and drafting persuasive appellate briefs in family law matters, including divorce, child custody, parenting plans, relocation, property division, spousal support, jurisdictional disputes, and due process issues. This role requires advanced legal analysis, exceptional writing skills, and the ability to collaborate closely with trial attorneys to shape appellate strategy from post-trial motions through appellate review.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze trial court records, rulings, and transcripts to identify reversible error
- Develop appellate strategy and issue framing in complex family law cases
- Draft appellate briefs, motions, and petitions, including opening, answering, and reply briefs
- Conduct advanced legal research on statutory interpretation, constitutional issues, and case law
- Handle post-trial motions and assist trial attorneys with issue preservation
- Prepare attorneys and clients for oral argument and appellate proceedings
- Collaborate with trial counsel on appellate risk assessment and strategy
- Ensure strict compliance with appellate rules, deadlines, and formatting requirements
- Monitor developments in Washington family law and appellate precedent
Required Skills
- Exceptional legal research and appellate writing skills
- Advanced issue-spotting and analytical reasoning abilities
- Deep understanding of appellate standards of review
- Mastery of procedural and substantive Washington family law
- Ability to distill complex trial records into clear, persuasive arguments
- Strategic thinking with a strong attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple appeals simultaneously
- Professional judgment and discretion in high-conflict family law matters
Required Qualifications
Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
Admission to the Washington State Bar Association (required)
- Minimum 5+ years of appellate experience, preferably in family law
- Demonstrated experience drafting appellate briefs to completion
- Familiarity with Washington appellate courts and procedures
- Strong academic credentials and writing-focused legal background
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior judicial clerkship (trial or appellate)
- Experience handling published or significant appellate decisions
- Background in constitutional, civil rights, or complex civil litigation
- Oral argument experience before appellate courts
- Knowledge of multi-jurisdictional or interstate family law issues
Why Join Our Firm
- Exclusive focus on complex family law litigation and appeals
- Opportunity to shape appellate strategy in high-impact cases
- Collegial, litigation-driven environment that values precision and expertise
- Competitive compensation commensurate with experience