Honors Attorney (Limited Duration 24 Months)

at  Port of Portland

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to completing a Port of Portland application, you must submit a cover letter, copy of your resume, current transcript , and a representative writing sample of no more than five pages.

• Bachelor’s and Juris Doctorate degrees are required
• 0-2 years of experience practicing law
• Current active member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar as of the agreed employment start date, or eligible to become an active member within six months of the start date
• candidates admitted in other states and 3L candidates must have registered to sit for the July 2025 Oregon State Bar exam or seek Comity admission to the Oregon State Bar.
• Following the start of employment, the Port will provide reimbursement for the cost of the July 2025 Oregon State Bar exam.
• Experience with legal research and writing
• Interest in public agency, real estate, public contracting, aviation and/or environmental law is preferred

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS:

• Perform complex legal research and analysis
• Exercise judgment in isolating relevant information and issues
• Advocate and influence outcomes, draft and negotiate contracts, and provide excellent customer service
• Format and produce correspondence and documents
• Work productively as part of an inclusive team
• Perform tasks with minimal supervision
• Organize workload and prioritize tasks to meet changing priorities and deadline

ABOUT US:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have – our three airports, four marine terminals, five business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them – to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone’s life better. And we’ll use our power and influence to pull down barriers, unlock new opportunities, ensure more people share in our region’s success and include those who have been excluded in the past. With YOUR help – together with our partners, customers, and community – we’ll help drive meaningful change!

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS JOB?

Contact us: careers@portofportland.com
Safety: The Port promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice in accomplishing work by complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.
Diversity and Inclusion: At the Port, we don’t just accept difference; we value and support it to create a culture of inclusiveness and fun. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
EEO/Affirmative Action Policy Statement: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination and affirmative action.
Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.
ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email careers@portofportland.com.
At the Port of Portland, we strive to offer a holistic and comprehensive benefits package for employees and their families. We care about your health by offering highly-subsidized healthcare plans that include alternative care. We look out for you and for family by paying for life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage. We participate in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement program. We provide access to additional coverage and benefits including pre-tax spending accounts, voluntary term life insurance, a deferred compensation plan, and critical illness and accident insurance policies.
We go above and beyond by offering an award-winning wellness program for all employees to engage in. Employees can tend to their physical and mental health, earn rewards, and create community. Our employee assistance program supports the Port’s commitment to emotional and mental well-being by providing mental health services, discounts on local gyms, and pet insurance for companions.
Our commitment to work-life balance ensures you have time to spend with loved ones and do the things you enjoy. We offer generous vacation time that accrues with length of service, sick leave that never expires and can be used for dependent care, health maintenance and mental health, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave – all in addition to 10 paid holidays. As an added bonus – because we know employees use their time off differently – once a year we give employees the opportunity to convert sick leave to personal leave, and to convert vacation leave to either cash, a retirement plan contribution, or a contribution to a Health Savings Account.
Please note: Some benefits vary by job type/group, so please be sure to review your comprehensive benefit guide and/or collective bargaining agreement upon hire to confirm what is available to you.

• Provide legal support to all divisions of the Port, including aviation, industrial land development, marine, navigation, risk, environmental, bankruptcy, project delivery, procurement, public affairs, and human resources
• Research and analyze complex business issues
• Interpret contract provisions and laws
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda and other written work products Draft and negotiate easements, leases, licenses, permits and rights of entry
• Provide legal advice and analysis on public agency functions and powers under applicable laws
• Give legal direction regarding public records and records retention laws, legal holds, litigation, public contracting and records disposition matters