Housing Law Supervising Attorney

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Job location
1331 H Street, NW
Suite 350
Washington, DC 20005
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia
Street address: 
1331 H Street, NW, Suite 350
City: 
Washington
State: 
District of Columbia
ZIP: 
20005
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia seeks a Supervising Attorney for its housing 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.” Legal Aid is the oldest general civil legal services program in the District of Columbia. The largest part of our work is comprised of individual representation in housing, family law, public benefits, and consumer law. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic reform litigation.

Tasks and Duties

Legal Aid has a broad and energetic housing practice. We give priority to cases that involve the prevention of an avoidable eviction, efforts to address dangerous or unhealthful housing conditions, and the preservation of affordable housing and public and assisted housing. In addition to an active litigation docket, we engage in significant efforts to address issues of public policy. Our unit is staffed by three supervising attorneys, nine senior staff attorneys and staff attorneys, three “loaned associates” from law firms, and a legal assistant.

Housing attorneys work out of Legal Aid’s central office and its community office in Southeast DC. They also staff two of Legal Aid’s signature projects: our Court-Based Legal Services Project, which sites a legal services office in Landlord-Tenant Court to provide same-day representation, and our Housing Right to Counsel Pilot Project, which seeks to reduce eviction of low-income tenants living in subsidized housing by significantly expanding their access to legal services. The Supervising Attorney would co-supervise the housing unit staff (including senior staff attorneys, staff attorneys, and “loaned associates” from law firms, and volunteer interns, as appropriate). In addition, she or he will handle an individual caseload, provide management assistance, work on policy advocacy, conduct intakes, and help shape the direction of Legal Aid’s housing law unit.

Requirements: 

The ideal candidate will have the following:
• Significant experience in a legal services, preferably in housing law;
• Prior supervisory experience;
• Strong litigation, organizational, communication, and leadership skills;
• The ability to work collaboratively with other staff;
• A demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice; and
• Bilingual skills strongly preferred but not required.
Membership or eligibility for membership in the DC bar is required.

To apply: 

Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and does not unlawfully discriminate on any basis prohibited by law. Legal Aid encourages applications from all interested persons 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. Interested persons are encouraged to email a letter of interest and resume to: [email protected].

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

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer