Staff Attorney, Public Benefits Law Unit

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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 staff attorney for its public benefits 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 domestic violence/family, housing, public benefits, and consumer law, although we also work on immigration matters and help individuals with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From our work with clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and impact litigation. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org, and our blog, www.MakingJusticeReal.Org.

Tasks and Duties

Legal Aid has a broad and energetic public benefits practice. The public benefits law unit helps families and individuals who have been denied, terminated from, or had reduced essential safety net benefits such as Food Stamps (or SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, and DC Alliance. Our public benefits attorneys represent and advise clients in matters before federal and local agencies, including the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings, and engage in systemic advocacy on behalf of our client community.

The staff attorney will handle a caseload of public benefits cases (including ones involving access to public benefits for non-citizens), conduct intake, and engage in community outreach, policy advocacy, and systemic reform efforts. He/she will be based out of Legal Aid’s main NW office but will also help staff intake at its community offices in SE Washington, D.C. and/or at community-based organizations that serve immigrants.

Requirements: 

The ideal candidate will have the following:

 Strong legal, organizational, oral and written communication, and leadership skills;
 The ability to work collaboratively with Legal Aid staff, legal and social services providers in other organizations and representatives of federal and District government agencies;
 Legal experience in public benefits work and/or immigration work a plus;
 Litigation experience a plus;
 A demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice; and
 Bilingual Spanish 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 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.
Please submit your resume and cover letter here: https://legalaiddc.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=21

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary range: 
The attorney will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid’s attorney salary scale.