Domestic Violence/Family Law Staff Attorney

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Job location
1331 H Street NW
Suite 350
Washington, DC 20005
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
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 an energetic, self-motivated, detail-oriented individual for the position of Staff Attorney for the Domestic Violence/Family Law practice.

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, 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. 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 domestic violence/family law practice. Our unit is currently staffed by three supervising attorneys, eight staff attorneys, and two legal assistants. The staff attorney will handle a caseload of custody, child support, and divorce cases for domestic violence survivors. In addition to an active litigation docket, the staff attorney will participate in community outreach, engage in systemic reform efforts, and be responsible for conducting interviews of prospective clients.

Legal Aid’s domestic violence/family law attorneys primarily work out of our NW office and may also work and conduct initial applicant interviews out of Legal Aid’s community office in SE. They also help staff the District’s two Domestic Violence Intake Centers – in NW at the D.C. Superior Courthouse, and in SE at United Medical Center – and the Child Support Resource Center, which operates out of the Paternity & Support Branch of D.C. Superior Court.

Salary and Benefits

The attorney will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid’s attorney salary scale. Legal Aid also offers a competitive benefits package.

Requirements: 

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Strong litigation, organizational, communication, and leadership skills;
• The ability to work collaboratively with other staff;
• A demonstrated commitment to 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) strongly preferred.

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. 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.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer