Case Counseling Attorney

Position Announcement: Case Counseling Attorney

Full-Time, Permanent, D.C.-Based, Remote/Office Hybrid

Expected Start: January 2025 | Salary: $72,000+

The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless – a D.C.-based, locally-focused legal services and advocacy organization – seeks to hire an attorney who shares our vision of a just and inclusive community for all residents of D.C., where housing is a human right and where every individual and family has access to the resources they need to thrive.

The Legal Clinic’s mission is to use the law to make justice a reality for our neighbors who struggle with homelessness and poverty. Combining community lawyering and advocacy to achieve our clients’ goals, our staff and network of volunteer attorneys provide low barrier legal services, helping our clients access housing, shelter, and other vital supports and services. Rooted in the experience of this client work, we blend system reform efforts, policy advocacy, client engagement and community education to advocate for long term improvements in programs that serve those who are homeless have low incomes.

The Case Counseling Attorney (CCA), within our Legal Services team, will provide support to our pro bono attorneys and our clients. The CCA will support the volunteers, providing strategic guidance and ongoing supervision and support in the cases that came through intake, including developing training materials on particular topics. They will support the volunteer attorneys and legal assistants who staff and take on cases through our intake process (which is currently primarily by phone, though we do have in-person intake as well). The CCA will work with our Legal Assistance Program team to ensure that we are responding effectively to clients’ expressed needs, individually and systemically. In addition, the CCA will: participate in our Attorney of the Day program to respond to emergency legal questions or need for representation, primarily emergency family shelter denials; support our client education and engagement efforts by periodically leading “Know Your Rights” trainings at shelters and day centers; and maintain a small caseload.

We are looking for an attorney to join the Legal Clinic who:

• is committed to social and racial justice;
• is committed to client-centered representation;
• has experience working on public benefits, affordable housing, emergency shelter or other issues related to homelessness and poverty;
• is eager to engage with clients, service providers and volunteers;
• is comfortable being part of an organization that takes unpopular positions if justice demands we do so; and
• has D.C. Bar membership or immediate eligibility for D.C. Bar membership.
• Our ideal candidate will have:
• experience in legal services or with an extensive pro bono practice;
• experience in litigation;
• experience with supervision or mentorship of attorneys;
• knowledge of D.C. programs and resources; and
• familiarity with the D.C. legal community.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a small, non-profit environment, both independently and as part of a team.

Working Conditions: The Legal Clinic is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule. While there is flexibility to work from home, the Case Counseling Attorney is expected work from the Legal Clinic’s office in northwest D.C. periodically or attend intake as needed.

Salary: Salary range begins at $72,000 for attorneys in their first year of practice and increases based on experience in accordance with the Legal Clinic’s salary scale. The Legal Clinic offers excellent benefits including 100% paid platinum health plan for you, your partner, and dependents – as well as 100% paid dental and vision plan and retirement contributions. In addition, generous time off including paid sabbatical leave after five years, two-weeks of vacation (to start) plus the last week of the year, three days at Thanksgiving, Emancipation Day, and all federal holidays.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume via e-mail to job@legalclinic.org and note "Case Counseling Attorney" in the subject line. We are looking for thoughtful, personalized cover letters that demonstrate qualifications and interest in working to build a more just community. Interested persons are encouraged to apply immediately. Position will remain opened until filled.

The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless values an inclusive workplace. Candidates who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, people with disabilities, and/or members of other underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

• 100% paid platinum health plan for you, your partner, and dependents – as well as 100% paid dental and vision plan
• Ten days of vacation during first year, increasing to three weeks until fifth anniversary, and then four weeks
• Generous holiday schedule including the last week of the year off, three days at Thanksgiving, Emancipation Day, and all federal holidays
• Three paid personal days and ten sick days per year
• An additional four months of parental/family/medical leave, one month at full pay and benefits and the other three in conjunction with D.C. Paid Family Leave. Health insurance will be covered during the full four months regardless of leave type
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability fully paid for
• $500 for setting up a 401(k) plan – either a Roth or Traditional option – and a 3% employer match, fully vested after three years
• The ability to pay “pre-tax” into a Flexible Spending Account
• Free parking options available
• Up to $100/month on your SmarTrip card (based on days you commute but don’t drive)
• Payment of annual fees to the D.C. Bar
• Payment of the mandatory DC Bar Ethics Course
• Coordination with the D.C. Bar Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program to assist with law school loan repayment