PDS Overview: The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees. PDS provides legal representation to individuals who are facing a loss of liberty in criminal, delinquency, and mental health justice matters in the local District of Columbia justice system, but who are financially unable to obtain adequate representation. PDS’s staff consists of approximately 100 attorneys and approximately 100 social workers, investigators, administrative, and technical staff.
Division Description: PDS was the first indigent defense program in the nation to protect clients from the collateral consequences of their involvement in the criminal justice system. Grounded on the recognition that there is a direct and immediate relationship between the criminal legal system and poverty, the practice provides wraparound representation in civil proceedings related to the clients’ criminal prosecution. Three of the Division’s lawyers focus on special education cases under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The other four staff attorneys handle general civil litigation matters referred from other PDS legal divisions.
PDS’s civil work can include housing-related litigation, civil forfeiture defense, tort defense, child custody, employment, bankruptcy, civil protection, restitution demands, civil contempt, child abuse and neglect, and special education advocacy. While these are the most common types of cases the Division handles, our civil matters have also included work in interpleader litigation over the right to receive life insurance benefits, guardianship issues, specific performance suits, wage theft litigation, and probate. Representation is provided in both judicial and administrative forums. The Civil Division’s lawyers handle active litigation matters and also provide counsel and advice to lawyers in PDS’s other divisions to assist clients in resolving the many civil issues that can arise in the context of criminal or juvenile cases.
Position Overview: The Civil Division’s general civil practice includes every phase of litigation, including discovery, use of experts, pretrial motions, and trial work. The level of attention, trial preparation, and resources the Division brings to bear on each case means that the Division routinely handles sophisticated and complex litigation. Depending on the nature of the criminal matter and its posture, there is often close coordination with the attorney representing the client’s liberty interests. Complex cases are staffed on a team model, which requires the civil attorney to work well with clients and also work collaboratively with colleagues across PDS’s six other legal practices.
Job Duties: Handle a diversity of legal issues in civil cases. Legal work may include, but is not necessarily limited to:
1. Meeting with clients at various carceral facilities as well as at PDS’s office or clients’ homes or residences (Transitional Housing, Shelters, etc.),
2. Drafting pleadings, trial-level briefs, motions, and other filings,
3. Preparing powers of attorney, declarations and affidavits, and case memorandums and outlines,
4. Drafting and answering discovery and taking or defending depositions,
5. Working with PDS investigators to develop cases,
6. Appearing as attorney of record in civil court proceedings,
7. Conducting legal research and preparing memorandums on case and/or practice related legal issues, and
8. Handling civil legal representation matters as assigned by the Division Chief.
Work Schedule: This is a full-time position. Although some telework may be available, due to the nature of the position, the incumbent will often be required to work nights, weekends, and other non-traditional hours to meet deadlines.
Required Qualifications: J.D. and a minimum of two years of general civil litigation experience. Federal or state court appellate or trial-level clerkship with a primarily civil docket may substitute for one year of general litigation experience. Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. Willingness to practice in a holistic team defense model of advocacy.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience in one or more of the following areas: family law, abuse and neglect, public and subsidized housing eviction defense work, administrative law, civil asset forfeiture, civil rights, public benefits, disability rights, and disability benefits. A demonstrated commitment to serving low-income populations, and preferably to serving criminalized populations as a public defender, civil rights attorney, or Legal Services attorney •Fluency in a language other than English, particularly Spanish.
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
