Bilingual Legal Assistant, Domestic Violence & Family Law Unit

Legal Aid is seeking a Bilingual Legal Assistant/Paralegal to join our Domestic Violence & Family Law Unit. The Bilingual Legal Assistant/Paralegal would be part of a dynamic team to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services.  

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, immigration, public benefits, and appellate matters. We also 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.  

Legal Aid DC’s Domestic Violence & Family Law Unit is comprised of a managing attorney, three supervising attorneys, twelve staff attorneys, two legal assistants, and two intake specialists. The Domestic Violence & Family Law Unit represents clients in a wide range of intrafamily matters in D.C. Superior Court. Our Unit assists domestic violence survivors with Civil Protection Orders, and represents clients in custody, child support, and divorce cases.  

In addition to representing clients in court, our Unit participates in community outreach, interviews prospective clients, and may engage in systemic reform efforts. The Domestic Violence & Family Law Unit primarily works out of our NW office, but may also work out of Legal Aid DC’s community office in SE. Unit staff also help at one or more of the District’s two Domestic Violence Intake Centers – in NW at the DC Superior Courthouse and in SE at the “Big Chair” office complex in Anacostia -- as well as the Child Support Resource Center (CSRC) and the Family Law Assistance Network (FLAN) offices at DC Superior Court.   

Responsibilities 

The Bilingual Legal Assistant/Paralegal will provide vital support assisting with client cases as well as systemic work being done in support our client community, to include: 

• performing basic clerical support 
• assisting in litigation 
• meeting with clients 
• conducting initial applicant interviews and follow-ups  
• working collaboratively and effectively with co-workers to ensure coverage of administrative and paralegal needs throughout Legal Aid’s offices 
• serving as Legal Aid’s point person for referrals to and from the Victim Legal Network of DC and from community partners Carlos Rosario Public Charter School and La Clinica del Pueblo  
• providing on-site support for any of Legal Aid’s community or courthouse offices and representing Legal Aid at community outreach events 

Qualifications 

• A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice 
• Excellent organizational skills, with attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments 
• Effective oral communication skills, particularly telephonic communication
• Effective written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and desire to take initiative in managing projects
• Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others 
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, Amharic or another language prevalent in Legal Aid DC's client community. 
• Strong computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Google applications

A successful candidate will be someone who is fueled by Legal Aid’s mission and will want to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that often requires multi-tasking while at the same time maintaining a high level of attention to detail.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity working with online databases helpful, but not required
• A start date of April/May 2025 along with a commitment to at least two years in this role is encouraged. 

Salary and Benefits 

The Bilingual Legal Assistant/Paralegal will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid's policy based on years of relevant full-time experience. Lateral hires will receive credit for years of relevant work experience. Starting salaries are as follows: 

• Entry-level: starting at $52,428 
• 2 years of relevant work experience: $55,937 
• 3 years relevant work experience: $60,897 
• 5 years relevant work experience: $64,732 

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 are encouraged to apply immediately and should submit a letter of interest and resume here. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Position remains open until February 21, 2025.  No emails or phone calls, please. 

Salary : $52,428 - $64,732