The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia seeks a Project Attorney or Project Coordinator to support its eviction prevention and affordable housing work. 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 bulk of our work is comprised of individual representation in housing, domestic violence/family, 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 housing practice. We give priority to cases that involve the prevention of avoidable eviction, efforts to address dangerous or unhealthful housing conditions, and the preservation of affordable housing and subsidized housing. In addition to an active litigation docket, we engage in significant efforts to address issues of public policy. Our unit is currently staffed by four supervising attorneys, eleven staff attorneys including one senior staff attorney, two fellows, three “loaned associates” from law firms, three legal assistants, and a case manager.
The staff in our Housing Unit work at Legal Aid’s central office and its community office in Southeast DC. Staff work on two projects: our Eviction Defense Project, which sites an office in the Landlord and Tenant Branch of D.C. Superior Court to provide same-day and extended representation to low-income tenants facing eviction; and our Housing Preservation Project, which seeks to preserve and expand safe and affordable housing for low-income District residents through building-wide legal representation. All of this work is coordinated with other legal services providers and includes strong pro bono partnerships with area law firms and other attorneys in the community.
The Project Attorney or Project Coordinator will organize and support the work of the eviction prevention and affordable housing projects. Tasks may vary depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected and may include: overseeing staffing and day-to-day operations in the courthouse office; managing legal assistant support for the housing unit; coordinating outreach and intake for eviction defense cases; referring cases to pro bono attorneys and other organizations throughout the city; assisting with data collection and quality review; planning and executing trainings and assisting with developing resources for staff attorneys and pro bono attorneys; and assisting with coordination and collaboration among project partners.
The ideal candidate can be either an attorney or non-attorney and will have the following:
• Experience in legal services, preferably in housing law, or with pro bono law practice;
• Strong organizational, communication, project management, and leadership skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with Legal Aid colleagues, other legal services providers, and law firm attorneys;
• Ability to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks and projects at the same time;
• A demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice; and
• Bilingual skills strongly preferred but not required.
Please submit a cover letter and resume here. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Position remains open until filled.