Staff Attorney, Public Benefits Law Unit

Legal Aid DC seeks a staff attorney or an experienced staff attorney for its Public Benefits 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.

Legal Aid has a broad and energetic Public Benefits Unit currently consisting of eight attorneys, one volunteer staff attorney, one fellow, two public benefits specialists, one intake specialist, and one administrative assistant. The unit helps families and individuals overcome legal barriers to accessing essential safety net benefits such as Unemployment Insurance, Social Security, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and DC HealthCare Alliance. Unit attorneys represent and advise clients in matters before local and federal tribunals, including the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings, Social Security Office of Hearing Operations, and U.S. District Court, and engage in systemic policy advocacy and litigation on behalf of our client community. The attorney will report to a supervising attorney in the Public Benefits Unit.

Responsibilities for All Applicants:

• Handle a caseload of increasingly complex public benefits matters in all of the programs that the unit handles (including ones involving access to public benefits for non-citizens).
• Engage in community outreach.
• Engage in written and oral advocacy with federal and District agencies.
• Engage in policy advocacy and other systemic reform efforts to address systemic issues impacting the client community.

Additional Responsibilities for Experienced Applicants for Staff Attorney:

• Help mentor, train, or co-counsel cases with less experienced attorneys, loaned associates, and fellows.
• Participate in conflict clearance.
• Undertake other organizational functions as needed.

Note: Legal Aid is currently operating on a hybrid work plan. Some in-person work is required in Legal Aids main offices and potentially for in-person hearings.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Membership or eligibility for membership in the DC bar.
• A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice;
• Strong legal analysis, organizational, oral and written communication, and leadership skills;
• The ability to work collaboratively with clients, Legal Aid staff, legal and social services providers in other organizations; and
• For all applicants, experience in, or knowledge of, DC public benefits programs, and for applicants for experienced staff attorney, a minimum of five or more years of legal experience in public benefits or related work.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Litigation and/or advocacy experience; and
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aids client community.

Salary and Benefits:

The attorney will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid's policybased on years of full-time legal experience. Lateral hires will receive credit for years of relevant work experience as outlined in the policy.

Starting salaries are as follows:

• Entry-level attorney who has passed the Bar: starting at $62,974
• Attorney with 3 years full-time legal work experience: starting at $70,334
• Attorney with 5 years full-time legal work experience: starting at $78,825
• Attorney with 10 years full-time legal work experience: starting at $91,676

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 includes fully paid health insurance (for the employee), annual discretionary retirement match, 12 paid holidays, three personal days and generous annual and sick leave allotments starting at 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave per year.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320.

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. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Position remains open until filled. Please submit cover letter and resume here. No emails or phone calls, please.