Staff Attorney, Eviction Defense

The Staff Attorney provides legal representation to D.C. tenants who have difficulty affording an attorney. The Staff Attorney provides general support to the Pro Bono Center’s housing programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Counsels and represents tenants facing eviction and seeking to secure their rights under D.C. and federal law. Provides same day counsel and representation to tenants at D.C. Superior as part of the Attorney of the Day (AOD) program. Provides counsel, extended representation, and full representation to tenants.

• Supervises the remote Landlord and Tenant Resource Center (LTRC). Guides and supervises volunteer attorneys providing legal information to tenants and small landlords.

• Staffs the in-person LTRC at D.C. Superior Court. Guides and supervises volunteer attorneys providing legal information. Provides same day counsel and representation to tenants as part of the AOD program.

• Participates in the Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network (LTLAN). Provides counsel, extended representation, and full representation to tenants seeking legal assistance through LTLAN. Supervises Pro Bono Center program specialists interviewing callers seeking assistance through LTLAN.

• Refers appropriate matters to the Pro Bono Center’s Advocacy & Justice Clinic as well as other area legal services providers.

• Supports the Housing Right to Counsel project and the Advocacy & Justice Clinic, providing interim, limited representation to tenants who are awaiting placement with counsel.

• Mentors pro bono attorneys who take landlord tenant cases through the Advocacy & Justice Clinic.

• Collaborates with other Pro Bono Center clinics, including staffing and mentoring at the Advice & Referral Clinic.

• Guides, mentors, and trains volunteer attorneys, law students, paralegals, and staff in housing law matters.

• Represents the PBC in meetings/initiatives with the D.C. Superior Court, law firms, legal services providers, and other community partners.

• Organizes and facilitates outreach events for tenants and community-based organizations. Assists with internal reports and reporting for grants.

• Updates material for self-represented litigants.

• Contributes to improvements in the Pro Bono Center’s case management systems, lawhelp.org, and on the probono.net/dc.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (i.e., at least 2 weeks after last dose) and have received at least one COVID-19 booster shot and, if hired, present proof of vaccination by start date.

• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school.

• An active member of the D.C. Bar, or eligible for immediate waiver into the D.C. Bar.

• Relevant work experience, including experience representing tenants in housing-related matters in D.C. or in a comparable jurisdiction.

• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Must be detail oriented and deadline driven. Able to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent interpersonal and customer skills. Must work well in a team environment and be able to interact with Bar members, volunteers, vendors, the public and Pro Bono Center and Bar employees.

• Must work well under pressure, possess excellent organizational abilities, and able to manage several priorities in a day.

• Must be adaptable, creative, and self-motivated.

• Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with a legal services organization that provides legal services to indigent individuals.

• Experience in consumer, bankruptcy, and/or probate law.

• Experience working with volunteers.

• Fluency in Spanish or Amharic.

*****Please submit resume, cover letter, and 2 (two) writing samples****

This position is currently a hybrid position, with days worked in the office and days worked remotely. The hybrid status of this position may change at any time subject to the Bar’s discretion.

This is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position. Job duties may change over time based on organizational/department needs.

The D.C. Bar is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

The Bar is committed to providing qualified individuals with reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their jobs, pursuant to applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact Human Resources at HR @dcbar.org.

As part of the accommodation process, we will conduct an individualized interactive process and may ask you for additional information. Additionally, any final hiring decisions or start dates may be delayed while the accommodation review process is ongoing if the individual is unable to begin work without the requested accommodation.