Staff Attorney, Pro Bono Program

Legal Aid DC is seeking an experienced Staff Attorney to join its Pro Bono Program.

Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. We provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and criminal record sealing matters. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and impact and appellate litigation.

Legal Aid DC 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 provide general support for Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Program. Legal Aid’s wide-ranging Pro Bono Program includes, among other things, specialized projects with individual law firms in the District, case referrals to pro bono counsel throughout the District’s legal community, loaned associates who are embedded at Legal Aid for rotations, co-counseling arrangements, and much more.

The Pro Bono Program Staff Attorney will report to the Director of the Pro Bono Program. The Staff Attorney also has a working relationship with and supports the efforts of almost every program at Legal Aid, including the legal and development programs.

This position is a good fit for someone interested in public interest legal work but is not interested in carrying a full caseload. This position focuses on coordinating Legal Aid’s external pro-bono partnerships, but does have some case handling responsibilities. The person in this position can expect to spend 75% of their time on project management responsibilities and 25% of their time case handling.

Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney will be responsible for, among other things: 

• Developing familiarity with all of Legal Aid’s practice areas.
• Referring cases to pro bono attorneys at participating law firms and at the federal and District governments.
• Maintaining accurate data collection and records in Legal Aid’s intake and client management system for internal and external reporting.
• Reviewing and accessing prospective cases before drafting case descriptions for circulation to prospective pro bono counsel.
• Organizing intake and case documents in preparation for referring cases to pro bono attorneys.
• Conducting factual research and gathering information in preparation for referring cases through Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Program.
• Helping build new and maintain existing relationships with D.C. law firms and lawyers throughout the community engaged in pro bono work.
• Promoting pro bono participation in the D.C. legal community and acting as Legal Aid representative at networking events.
• Supporting the creation of new pro bono partnerships and projects.
• Developing training materials and coordinating training opportunities for pro bono attorneys.
• Reviewing and checking conflicts.
• Conducting intake interviews and follow ups with applicants.
• Provide advice, brief services, as well as limited and extended representation in certain matters. The limited and extended representation would likely be in eviction defense. This would be no more than 25% of the job.
• Any other tasks as appropriate and consistent with their job functions.

Qualifications 

• At least 3 years post-law school experience.
• Prior experience working in a law firm setting or in legal services, or both.
• Experience in one of Legal Aid’s practice areas is preferred, but not required.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, strong attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills, including legal writing and professional correspondence.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with Legal Aid colleagues, other legal services providers, and private and government attorneys throughout the District.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• A demonstrated commitment to racial, social, and economic justice.
• Membership or eligibility for membership in the D.C. Bar is required.
• 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: 

• Attorney with 3 years full-time legal work experience: $78,277
• Attorney with 5 years full-time legal work experience: $85,852
• Attorney with 7 years full-time legal work experience: $88,882 

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 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 DC 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 legal system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve.

Interested persons are encouraged to apply immediately. Please submit your resume and cover letter here. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. This position has a closing date of April 22, 2025. No emails or phone calls, please. 

Salary : $78,277 - $88,882