Staff Attorney, Reentry Justice Project

Legal Aid DC seeks a Staff Attorney to join its Reentry Justice Project in the Systemic Advocacy and Law Reform Program.

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 legal 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.

The Staff Attorney will work closely with the Community Engagement team. They will report to the Director of Reentry and Community Lawyering, and they will also partner with other Legal Aid staff to provide outreach and community legal education.

Responsibilities

Casehandling and Advocacy:

• Maintain an active caseload of criminal record relief matters, including filing motions to seal or expunge records under DC’s Criminal Record Sealing law, the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022, and under the Youth Rehabilitation Act and DC’s Human Trafficking Act.
• Engage in advocacy efforts and casework to address the collateral consequences of involvement in the legal system, including challenging housing denials, Ban the Box violations, barriers to accessing educational and job opportunities, and more.
• Work with clients and community-based groups to identify obstacles to successful reentry and to support law reform efforts and/or policy solutions as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Systemic Advocacy Program team to elevate identified reentry issues and engage in reentry related appeals, impact litigation, or policy related legislative and budget advocacy.
• Provide mentorship to pro bono attorneys handling criminal record relief matters.

Community Engagement and Outreach:

• Identify outreach opportunities and partner with community-based organizations that provide support to people with prior legal system involvement including returning citizens who may benefit from legal services.
• Facilitate Know Your Rights and other trainings in the areas of record clearing and reentry, including fielding requests for training, developing training materials, identifying and collaborating with trainers, and maintaining a database of all trainings and community-focused engagements.
• Provide practical information on the reentry process and available resources for individuals directly impacted by legal system involvement, incarceration, and reentry;
• Develop and maintain accessible community education and reentry self-help materials for self-represented litigants.

Collaboration and Engagement Across Practice Areas:

• Provide holistic advocacy by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of legal issues relevant to Legal Aid’s practice areas and client community;
• Conduct new client intakes in all of Legal Aid’s practice areas at community-based offices and intake sites.
• Regularly work in Legal Aid’s community office in Anacostia, and other community-based offices.
• Occasionally work on nights and/or weekends as necessary to be responsive to client, community, and operational needs.

Qualifications

Membership or eligibility for membership in the DC bar is required.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Knowledge of criminal law and procedure;
• Experience providing front-line delinquency, criminal defense, or direct civil legal service representation;
• Familiarity with legal services, social service agencies, and community-based organizations in DC;
• Commitment to supporting people and families who have been impacted by legal system involvement;
• Commitment to successful reintegration for people leaving detention facilities, prisons and jails, or on community supervision;
• Commitment to racial, social, and economic justice;
• Commitment to supporting equity and inclusion through self-awareness, cultural competence, sensitivity, and valuing others;
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with teams;
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments;
• Bilingual skills (in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community) are strongly preferred but not required.

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, 13 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. The position will remain open until filled and applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis. No emails or phone calls, please.