Careers

Pipeline Safety Attorney - Washington, DC or Remote

Van Ness Feldman seeks a mid-to senior level attorney (4+ years out of law school) to join the firm’s pipeline safety practice.  Pipeline safety presents dynamic and challenging issues before the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and state regulators.  You will help operators of gas and petroleum product pipelines and LNG facilities apply complex and often technical regulations to real-life circumstances, with the goal of ensuring regulatory compliance and continued safety of facilities.  Pipeline safety issues arise in a variety of circumstances, from helping a client properly classify its pipelines and ascertain their jurisdictional status, to identifying compliance issues and assessing risk during acquisition due diligence.  You also will also help clients prepare for inspections and audits and resolve and often enforcement actions in order to ensure due process and achieve fair and safe outcomes.  In almost all of these matters, you will work alongside in-house attorneys, the client’s engineering and operations staff, and senior management.  You also will interact with federal and state regulators. 

For this position, Van Ness Feldman is looking for someone with the following experience and qualifications:

• Experience with federal or state pipeline safety regulations and issues
• Desire to help clients obtain creative solutions and outcomes
• Strong legal research skills that reflect an appreciation for the patience required to understand detail and nuance
• Strong writing skills that reflect the ability to translate complex legal and technical concepts in a plain, understandable way
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with an existing, collegial team of attorneys
• The ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• A desire grow professionally and to sustain and build a practice

The preferred location for this position is the Washington D.C. office, but can be remote. 

Van Ness Feldman employees receive a competitive benefits package including health, dental, 401(k), and profit sharing plan. EOE.  Click here to apply.  Questions can be directed to recruiting@vnf.com. 

Real Estate Partner/Partner Group

Van Ness Feldman's Seattle office is seeking a lateral partner or partner group to join our real estate practice.  Candidates must have a portable book of business representing buyers, sellers, and developers in transactions involving all sizes and types of real estate transactions. We are looking for someone who is eager to join our very active real estate practice, is comfortable in a team-oriented and fast-paced environment, and who enjoys being part of a collaborative and diverse culture that supports our firm values. With offices in Seattle, Washington D.C., the Bay Area, and Denver, the team supports development projects across the country in such varied industries as energy infrastructure, public and private utilities, corporate real estate development, residential development, transportation, natural resources, and ports/industrial facilities.

Confidential inquiries can be sent to slr@vnf.com 

Senior Real Estate Attorney

Van Ness Feldman is seeking an experienced real estate attorney to join our Seattle team. The ideal candidate must have at least 5 years of substantive experience in commercial, industrial, and residential development, including drafting and negotiating complex documents related to the acquisition and disposition of property, and financing / loan transactions. Candidate should have experience coordinating due diligence reviews (including title and survey) and closings.

We are looking for someone who is team-oriented with strong written and oral communication skills. The ideal candidate should display passion for working hard, take initiative in a fast-paced environment with motivated and collegial colleagues, and enjoy being part of a collaborative and diverse culture that supports our firm values.

Skills and Qualifications Include:

• Representing buyers, sellers, and developers in transactions involving all sizes and types of real estate transactions;
• Performing and coordinating due diligence in the acquisition and financing of real estate for investment, development, occupancy, sales, leasing, and collateralization;
• Representing clients in negotiating and closing on acquisition financing, construction financing, and permanent financing;
• Assisting and coordinating with clients in working with local city and state officials across the country with respect to compliance matters related to the development, redevelopment, and use of property.
• The ideal candidate will have outstanding academic credentials, a strong work ethic, a logical and analytical thought process, excellent organizational, drafting, writing and research skills, as well as the ability to establish strong client and peer relationships.

Applications including a cover letter and resume can be sent to slr@vnf.com 

Van Ness Feldman’s Summer Associate Program is designed to provide law students with diverse opportunities to develop, challenge, and broaden their skills while contributing to the innovative services and counsel delivered to our clients. Summer Associates join Van Ness Feldman’s team of attorneys to provide nationally recognized legal counsel, thought leadership, and policy strategy to clients navigating the complex intersection between business and government.

The firm seeks accomplished, well-rounded, and motivated law students with a demonstrated interest in our core areas of practice. With professionals in Washington D.C., Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area, we are renowned for providing strategic business advice, legislative and policy advocacy, legal and regulatory compliance counsel, representation in administrative proceedings and litigation, and support for project development, permitting, and transactions in the inter-related areas of energy, natural resources, environmental, real estate/land use, infrastructure, and government relations.

We foster an environment that is uniquely collaborative, rewarding and, we believe, truly different from our competitors. Our team is committed to the development and advancement of our summer associates through challenging assignments, training and mentoring programs, and networking opportunities to help students launch their career.

High academic credentials, journal/moot court experience, a growth mindset, and a great sense of humor required. We look forward to learning more about you and discussing how the Van Ness Feldman family of professionals can be part of your future.

The firm has concluded its recruitment for the 2023 2L summer associate class. If you have questions about future opportunities in the Seattle market, please contact Saira Rhodes or DiNoua Avery for Washington, DC related questions. 

For additional questions regarding our firm, the summer associate program, or our recruiting process, please email recruiting@vnf.com.  

Executive/Legal Assistant - Lafayette, CA

Insurance and General Litigation and regulatory work, seeks an excellent Legal Assistant who shares our commitment to quality, client service, and teamwork.

Candidate must demonstrate current 5+ years’ litigation experience (California and Federal courts) and established understanding of court rules of procedure and electronic filing. Candidate must possess strong organizational and high-level clerical skills to support an active litigation practice. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Drafting, editing and proofreading documents.
• Handling State and Federal court filings and service requests.
• Cite checking; creating tables of authorities and contents; organizing and managing files (physical and electronic) in documentintensive practices.
• Managing document productions and discovery.
• Assisting with scheduling appointments, arranging conference calls, returning messages for supervisors, and/or handling administrative details.
• Researching, writing and synthesizing of substantive information as needed.

Attributes should include attention to detail, self-starter, positive attitude, sense of humor, professional demeanor, familiarity and ability to manage the demands of a busy litigation practice, ability to juggle competing priorities, team player, and top-notch verbal and written communication skills. Excellent proficiency required with all MS Office applications, with emphasis on Word, PowerPoint and Excel, along with document management software. Working knowledge of e-discovery programs preferred. This position is located in our Lafayette, California office.

Competitive benefits package including health, dental, 401(k), and profit sharing plan.  EOE.   Please provide your resume by clicking  Recruitment (adp.com)

California salary range: $55,000 to $70,000*

*salary ranges may vary based on skills and overall experience.

As part of Van Ness Feldman’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we are proud to offer the Van Ness Feldman Seattle Diversity Fellowship to an outstanding first year law school student.  The Fellow will receive a paid 1L Summer Associate position in our Seattle office and a $10,000 scholarship to assist with law school tuition.  The Fellowship also includes the opportunity to continue as a VNF Diversity Fellow during the student’s 2L summer, which includes an additional $10,000 scholarship; and a possible offer for full-time employment with signing bonus post law school.

First year students who demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion are encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria:

The Fellowship is open to all first-year law students who have demonstrated:

• Diverse background and life experiences
• Academic excellence
• Leadership ability
• Commitment to their community
• Desire to promote diversity within the legal profession

Application Materials:

To apply, please submit the following:

• A personal statement addressing the ways in which you have and will foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal community, what these qualities mean to you, and why you are interested in Van Ness Feldman
• Your resume
• Your undergraduate and law school transcripts (if your law school grades are not yet available, please forward when available)
• Two to three professional references
• A legal writing sample that has not been edited by others

Applications must be received no later than Jan 9, 2023. 

Please send materials via email to:

Ms. Saira Rhodes
Van Ness Feldman LLP
1191 Second Ave., Suite 1800
Seattle, WA 98101
slr@vnf.com

As part of Van Ness Feldman’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we are proud to offer the Van Ness Feldman D.C. Diversity Fellowship to an outstanding first year law school student.  The Fellow will receive a paid 1L Summer Associate position in our D.C. office and a $10,000 scholarship to assist with law school tuition.  The Fellowship also includes the opportunity to continue as a VNF Diversity Fellow during the student’s 2L summer, which includes an additional $10,000 scholarship; and a possible offer for full-time employment with signing bonus post law school.

First year students who demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion are encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria:

The Fellowship is open to all first-year law students who have demonstrated:

• Diverse background and life experiences
• Academic excellence
• Leadership ability
• Commitment to their community
• Desire to promote diversity within the legal profession

To apply, please submit the following:

• A personal statement addressing the ways in which you have and will foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal community, what these qualities mean to you, and why you are interested in Van Ness Feldman
• Your resume
• Your undergraduate and law school transcripts (if your law school grades are not yet available, please forward when available)
• Two to three professional references
• A legal writing sample that has not been edited by others
   

Application Deadline: January 9, 2023.   

At Van Ness Feldman, diversity and inclusion encompass a wide range of characteristics including age, race, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, physical ability, military service, religion and other groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession. The firm is committed to maintaining a work environment where the unique attributes, perspectives, backgrounds, skills, and abilities of each individual thrive and contribute to our collective success.

For more information, please contact DiNoua Avery at dnm@vnf.com.

Van Ness Feldman enthusiastically extends an equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, military status, physical disability, or any similarly protected status. The firm has a policy of positive action to ensure the fulfillment of our commitment to a diverse and equitable workplace.

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