Closing Date: 31st December, 2024
Description:
General Job InformationJob Summary:
Are you looking for a rewarding career in social justice? Well look no further…the DC Office of Human Rights is hiring a new General Counsel!
Located in the heart of the nation's capital, A Government Entity is one of the country's premier civil rights enforcement agencies, enforcing some of the most progressive civil rights laws in the United States. Our team is comprised of a diverse group of individuals who share a commitment to social justice. We are currently seeking a talented, experienced, and compassionate executive-level attorney with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights for a vacant General Counsel position.
This position is located in OHR's Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The General Counsel leads OGC's team of ambitious and committed Attorney Advisors and manages and supervises OGC's legal review responsibilities, such as legal research, writing, editing, oral presentation, trainings, drafting and issuing agency administrative orders and decisions, conducting legal sufficiency review of OHR's probable cause determinations, overseeing OHR's legislative, regulatory, and policy work, advising and/or counseling OHR's Director, senior leadership and other enforcement, compliance, and operations units, and/or communicating with members of the public, other District agencies, and the D.C. Council, on behalf of OHR.
The General Counsel also serves as senior legal advisor to the Director/Agency Head in planning and policy decision-making; and implementing, coordinating and directing the legal affairs for the agency, and is responsible for overseeing the review, research, and preparation of responses for the Director to selected and often confidential inquiries and/or correspondence from the Mayor, members of the Council of the District of Columbia, officials of the District and Federal government agencies, the media, members of the private sector, and the general public. The General Counsel also conducts extensive and detailed research of legal documents dealing with proposed laws, rules, and regulations and amendments to existing laws that impact OHR's work, to assure conformance with legal requirements.
The General Counsel also prepares and gives testimony for presentation at hearings before the Council of the District of Columbia, congressional committees, and other public appearances, and represents and speaks for the Director/Agency on various complex and sensitive issues
Experience in employment and/or civil rights law or litigation is required for this position, as is management or supervisory experience in leading a team of attorneys and legal staff. Experience with a judicial clerkship in a state or federal court, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), or other federal or state administrative, judicial, or civil rights agency, is a plus. Legislative or regulatory experience is also a plus.
If you are interested in joining our dynamic team and becoming a new leader in OGC, please apply below.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent works under the administrative direction of the Director or Agency Head, who provides broadly defined objectives and functions. The incumbent proceeds with considerable latitude in the performance of responsibilities. Confers with the Director/Agency Head regarding the impact of proposed decisions as they relate to the goals and jurisdictional practices, and keeps supervisor informed on all major and sensitive issues. Work is reviewed for overall effectiveness in achieving desired objectives and goals.
Guidelines include Mayoral directives; policies and procedures established by the Director/Agency Head, the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel, and/or the Office of the Attorney General; reported legal decisions and other reference works; Federal Rules of Civil Procedures; Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedures; D.C. Municipal Regulations and applicable federal regulations; administrative, legislative and judicial rules and regulations; the D.C. Human Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, and other Acts of Congress and the Council of the District of Columbia, and other laws applicable to the District of Columbia and enforced by OHR; reciprocal agreements and laws; regulations of the District of Columbia and Federal agencies; current decisions of local trial and appellate courts and the Supreme Court, as well as decisions of other jurisdictions; and, pending litigation and active legal matters.
Qualifications and Education:
Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position which has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skill and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.
Must have at least six (6) year of post J.D. professional legal experience.
Must have a demonstrated ability to manage and supervise a legal staff.
Education:
Must possess a LLB or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of appointment.
Licensure/Certifications
Must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or must be admitted in another United States jurisdiction, be eligible to waive in, and be admitted within 365 days of their appointment. If eligible for waiver, the incumbent must submit an application for admission to the District of Columbia Bar prior to commencing employment. An appointee to the Legal Service position shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service.
