Description:

Job Summary:
The primary responsibility of the Family Law Staff Attorney is to provide high-quality, culturally humble and trauma-informed representation for third-party caregivers and as guardian ad litem in contested custody matters. Most matters are heard in the Domestic Relations Branch of DC Superior Court, where 83-93% of family law litigants are unrepresented and cannot afford an attorney. In third-party caregiver matters, the Staff Attorney represents third-party caregivers seeking to provide DC children with ongoing care and stable homes when their parents are unable to do so. The Staff Attorney represents caregivers in custody, guardianship and adoption cases. Additionally, there is an extremely high need for guardians ad litem to represent and advocate for the best interests of children in complex and high-conflict custody cases. Domestic Relations Branch judges refer cases to CLC, and the Staff Attorney serves as the court-appointed guardian ad litem, advocating for a custodial arrangement that is in the child's best interest.

In addition to carrying a caseload, the Staff Attorney completes other tasks and projects as assigned, including intakes, brief legal assistance, onboarding and supervision of law clerks and interns, and training and mentorship for volunteer attorneys. This position has an established career path with the potential for promotion to a Senior Attorney.

Role Responsibilities:
Case Handling: Advocacy
  • Carry a caseload of approximately 20 to 25 cases, providing high-quality, culturally humble, trauma-informed representation as guardian ad litem in custody matters and representing third-party caregivers in custody, adoption and guardianship matters in DC Superior Court.
  • Zealously advocate for clients in all cases through reflective case planning, thorough investigation and high-quality litigation to achieve positive client outcomes.
  • Attend all court dates and timely file all appropriate pleadings.
Case Handling: Policy and Protocol Adherence
  • Adhere to program policies and protocols, including case planning notes, litigation protocol, case notes and timekeeping policy and client visitation and contact protocol to achieve positive outcomes for clients outlined in program logic models.
  • Ensure timely and accurate input of case information into case management system. CLC policy requires a minimum of 30 hours to be entered weekly.
Case Handling: Supervision
  • Attend and actively participate in regular supervision with supervisor to review and brainstorm case strategies, keep supervisor informed and ensure quality of representation.
  • Provide written materials to supervisor for feedback.
  • Immediately report any impending or actual difficulty in fulfilling obligations to clients or CLC to minimize adverse consequences for clients or the organization.
  • Identify and elevate Targeted Appellate Strategy Issue List cases to supervisor and Appellate Team.
Professional Development:
  • Work with supervisor to set annual goals to direct professional development.
  • Exchange positive and constructive feedback with supervisor.
  • Formulate plans to achieve annual goals and incorporate feedback from supervisory staff to improve or enhance performance by utilizing strengths and addressing challenges.
  • Participate in goals reviews and year-end evaluation process.
Caregiver Intakes, Referrals, and Brief Advice or Service
  • Support and handle caregiver intakes as assigned to determine whether CLC can assist a potential client with a family law issue.
  • Enter intake information into case management system and conduct intakes according to program guidelines.
  • Provide caregivers with brief advice, brief service and/or referrals as assigned.
  • Conduct legal research and/or identify other community resources as needed.
  • Develop or update outreach and education materials as assigned to improve the efficacy and timeliness of legal service delivery to client community.
Volunteer Support
  • Participate in hiring, onboarding and supervision of law clerk and intern staff as assigned.
  • Develop and conduct volunteer attorney trainings as assigned.
  • Develop or update volunteer attorney training materials as assigned.
  • With experience, develop skills and capacity to mentor volunteer attorneys handling caregiver and guardian ad litem cases.
Evaluation and Data Management Activities
  • Ensure timely and accurate input of case and intake information into case management system and adhere to applicable policies and protocols to support learning and positive outcomes for clients.
  • Maintain accurate, timely data entry for non-case-related activities including but not limited to trainings and volunteer attorney mentoring.
Learning and Systemic Advocacy
  • Attend and participate in all Pro Bono Program team meetings, CLC attorney and staff meetings and other internal committees and working groups as requested by the Pro Bono Director.
  • Provide support to CLC's Policy Team in areas of expertise to address the systemic needs of CLC's client community.
  • Participate or attend external committees as needed and requested by the Pro Bono Director.

Qualifications:
  • A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.?
  • Strong legal analysis, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
    • Demonstrated by: law school clinic experience, judicial clerkships, research positions, and/or law school awards for moot court or oral advocacy.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
  • Demonstrated capacity to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Demonstrated capacity to proactively address obstacles and identify creative solutions.
  • Strong independent judgment and decision-making skills.
  • Experience with family law cases, specifically in custody, adoption and guardianship matters preferred.
  • Experience working with children and families with limited financial resources preferred.
  • Post-JD experience in legal services or other community lawyering preferred.
  • Post-JD litigation experience preferred.
  • Two-three years' experience post-JD preferred.
  • Experience mentoring or teaching preferred.
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills a plus.

Required Skills and Experience:
  • JD degree.
  • DC Bar membership or eligibility for DC Bar membership based the transfer of a Uniform Bar Examination score attained in another jurisdiction or membership in good standing in the Bar of another jurisdiction for at least 3 years immediately prior to the application for admission.
  • Experience in legal services or other community lawyering. Experience that will be considered includes job experience, law school clinics, clerkships, and internships.
  • Commitment to equity, inclusion, and humility when working with clients and colleagues at the intersection of multiple identities, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigration status, religion, physical and mental disability, and/or limited English proficiency.