The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia seeks an energetic, self-motivated, detail-oriented individual for the position of Staff Attorney for its Domestic Violence and Family Law Unit.

Legal Aid was formed in 1932 to “provide legal aid and counsel to indigent persons in civil law matters and to encourage measures by which the law may better protect and serve their needs.” The largest part of our work is comprised of individual representation in housing, domestic violence/family, public benefits, and consumer law. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic reform litigation. Legal Aid believes that meaningful pursuit of our anti-poverty mission requires an unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity. We aspire both to reflect the rich racial diversity of the communities we serve and to value, respect, and empower our staff and clients to be effective agents of change. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org, and our blog, www.MakingJusticeReal.Org.

Tasks and Duties:

The DV/Family Law Unit has three supervising attorneys, thirteen staff attorneys, and two legal assistants. The staff attorney will handle a caseload of Civil Protection Order, custody, child support, and divorce cases. In addition to an active litigation docket, the staff attorney will participate in community outreach, interview prospective clients, and may engage in systemic reform efforts. Legal Aid’s attorneys primarily work out of our NW office but may also work out of Legal Aid’s community office in SE. DV/Family Law staff attorneys also help staff one or more of the District’s two Domestic Violence Intake Centers – in NW at the DC Superior Courthouse and in SE at the “Big Chair” office complex in Anacostia, as well as the Child Support Resource Center (CSRC) and the Family Law Assistance Network (FLAN) offices at DC Superior Court.

Note: Legal Aid is currently operating on a hybrid work plan. Some in-person work is required, both in Legal Aid’s main offices, at our project locations, and for in-person hearings.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Strong litigation, organizational, communication, and leadership skills;
• The ability to work skillfully, both independently and collaboratively with teams;
• A demonstrated commitment to racial, social, and economic justice;
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments;
• Experience in legal services preferred, ideally with a background in DV/family law; and
• Bilingual skills (in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community) are strongly preferred but not required.

Membership or eligibility for membership in the DC bar is required.

Salary and Benefits:

The attorney will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid’s salary scale based on years of experience, with a starting salary of $60,991 for an entry-level attorney who has just passed the bar, followed by a salary step each year thereafter. Generous benefits package includes fully paid health insurance (for the employee), annual discretionary retirement match, 12 paid holidays, three personal days and generous annual and sick leave allotments starting at 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave per year.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320.

To Apply:

Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and encourages applications from interested persons from diverse backgrounds of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. We strongly encourage applications from people with personal experience with the criminal justice system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve. Interested persons are encouraged to apply immediately and should submit a letter of interest and resume. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Position remains open until filled. Please submit cover letter and resume here. No emails or phone calls, please.

Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Position remains open until filled.

More about the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia:

Legal Aid, founded in 1932, provides free civil legal services to persons living in poverty in the District of Columbia. The largest part of our work is composed of direct representation in housing, family/domestic violence, public benefits, and consumer law. We also work on immigration law matters and help individuals with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic reform litigation. We have grown to a staff of more than 90 attorneys and staff, serving some 10,000 DC residents annually through direct legal services, and tens of thousands more through systemic advocacy and litigation. For more information about Legal Aid, please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org, and our blog, www.MakingJusticeReal.org.