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Legal Aid DC seeks a Staff Attorney to join its Consumer Law Unit.
Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. Currently, we provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, and appellate matters. We also work on immigration matters and help individuals with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic impact and appellate litigation.
Legal Aid believes that meaningful pursuit of our anti-poverty mission requires an unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity. We aspire both to reflect the rich racial diversity of the communities we serve and to value, respect, and empower our staff and clients to be effective agents of change. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org.
Responsibilities
Legal Aid’s Consumer Law Unit handles a variety of cases focused on helping its clients preserve their limited income and protect them from financial exploitation. The Consumer Law Unit focuses on two primary practice areas: foreclosure prevention and debt collection defense. In our foreclosure prevention practice, we prioritize cases that involve the prevention of avoidable foreclosures and the preservation of generational homeownership. In our debt collection practice, we protect clients from abusive, unfair, and unlawful debt collection practices and from judgments or unfavorable settlements that can have devastating impacts on people living in poverty.
The Staff Attorney will handle all aspects of consumer law cases. The Staff Attorney’s duties will include drafting pleadings and motions, regularly appearing at D.C. Superior Court hearings, participating in mediations, and advising clients on a variety of legal issues.
In addition to maintaining an active caseload, the Staff Attorney will interview prospective clients during walk-in intake in Legal Aid’s offices and in community, participate in community outreach, and engage in systemic reform efforts on behalf of our client community.
The Consumer Law Unit Staff Attorney will be based out of Legal Aid’s main NW office but may also work out of Legal Aid’s community office in SE. Legal Aid has a hybrid work schedule. The Staff Attorney will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week and may be to work in the office more frequently depending on job responsibilities.
Qualifications
Membership or eligibility for membership in the DC bar is .
The ideal candidate will have the following:
- A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice;
- Strong legal, organizational, communication, and leadership skills;
- Experience in legal services preferred, ideally with a background in consumer law or real property law;
- The ability to work collaboratively;
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments; and
- Bilingual skills (in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community) preferred, but not .
Salary and Benefits
The attorney will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid's based on years of full-time legal experience. Lateral hires will receive credit for years of relevant work experience. Starting salaries are as follows:
- Entry-level Attorney just passing the bar: $71,054
- Attorney with 3 years full-time legal work experience: $78,277
- Attorney with 5 years full-time legal work experience: $85,852
Legal Aid generally provides two salary increases per year, depending on funding availability: a cost-of-living increase at the beginning of the year and a step increase in July.
Legal Aid offers a generous benefits package, including eligibility for fully paid health insurance, annual retirement match, 12 paid holidays, 20 days of annual leave per year and 15 days of sick leave per year.
Click here for full salary scale and additional benefits information.
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. New hires start with a 90-day probationary period before they are considered full-time, regular employees.
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 should submit a letter of interest and resume here. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Position remains open until November 15, 2024. No emails or phone calls, please.
