Probate Researcher Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

2027-2029 Open Horizon DCALF Heirs' Property & Estate Planning Fellowship

Are you passionate about advancing access to justice? Do you want to gain hands-on experience as a probate and estate planning attorney-helping families preserve intergenerational homes, build wealth, and take control of their legacies through proactive planning? Are you eager to join a dynamic, mission-driven organization that values client-centered advocacy and fosters a culture of learning and growth?

If so, theOpen Horizon Heirs'Property & EstatePlanning Fellowship at DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF) may be the perfect opportunity for you.

At DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF),we believe income should never be a barrier to justice. Founded in 2015 by volunteers to help close access to justice gaps in the District of Columbia, DCALF serves an expansive range of hardworking DC residents unable to afford market-based legal services, including modest-income residents who fall between eligibility for free legal services and the ability to afford private counsel andlow-income residents navigating unmet legal needs. Through innovative programming and a commitment to equity, we deliver no cost andlow-cost legal services in family law, probate, estate planning, and immigration, ensuring historically underserved clients can navigate life's most challenging legal issues with skilled legal representation.

Across the past decade, DCALF has grown exponentially-from grassroots beginnings to an establishedorganization with a staff of30+, a strong network of volunteers and pro bono partners, and serving more than500clients annually, with hundreds more annually engaged through community education and outreach. Our award-winning annual fellowship programs further our mission by launching the careers of recent law graduates, equipping them to become dedicated public interest attorneys and lifelong champions for justice.

DCALF is one of two nonprofit legal services organizations leading the District of Columbia's inaugural Heirs' Property Assistance Program, providing vital probate adviceand representation to individuals navigating the complex, multi-phase process of clearing title to property after the death of a loved one. Through this initiative-and DCALF's expanded probate practice-we help families preserve intergenerational homes, secure rightful homeownership, and access the assets and belongings left behind by loved ones.

In addition to probate support, DCALF offers free, proactive estate planning services designed to empower individuals and families to protect their health, wealth, and legacy. Our estate planning practice challenges the notion that these tools are only for the wealthy-ensuring that all DC residents can memorialize their wishes and prevent future heirs' property complications.

Since its founding in 2015, DCALF has launched the careersof over75 passionate,diverse public interest attorneys through its Signature Fellowship Program and partnerships with Georgetown University Law Center and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. The Open Horizon DCALF Heirs' Property & Estate Planning Fellowship continues this proud tradition, offering a unique, two-year post-graduate opportunity foran alumnusof Howard University School of Law's Estate Planning and Heirs' Property Clinical Program. The Open Horizon Heirs' Property&Estates Planning Fellow will gain deep, hands-on experience in probate and estate planning law while making a meaningful contribution to DCALF's mission of expanding access to justice for modest- and low-income DC residents. The fellowship will begin in late September 2027and run through September 2029, overlapping for one year with the2026-2028Open Horizon Heirs' Property & Estate Planning Fellow.

Position Overview

The Open Horizon Heirs' Property & Estate Planning Fellow will play a vital role in expanding access to justice in probate and estate planning matters for modest- and low-income DC residents. As a member of DCALF's Probate & Estate Planning Team, the Fellow will provide direct legal representation, advice, and advocacy for clients navigating probate and estate planning challenges.

This work will primarily involverepresentingpersonal representatives in probating the estates of deceased loved onesanddrafting proactive estate plans to help community members prepare for incapacity or death.The Fellowwill also lead andparticipatein community outreach and education efforts to raise awareness about probate, heirs' property, and the tools available to avoid unnecessary legal barriers-empowering residents to protect their homes, assets, and legacies.In addition, the position offers opportunities to conduct legal research on emerging issues in heirs' property, probate, and estate planning, contributing to broader advocacy and reform efforts in this growing field.

For consideration, an applicant must bean alumnusof Howard University School of Law's Estate Planning and Heirs' Property Clinic, with at least one semester of clinical experience, anddemonstratea strong commitment-and willingness to buildexpertise-in probate and estate planning law.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to be on the frontlines of an evolving area of public interest law, working to preserve intergenerational homes, protect family wealth, and promote economic justice for historically underserved DC communities.

The Open Horizon Fellowwill receive thoughtful supervision, ongoing mentorship, and meaningful opportunities for both independent work and collaboration. The ideal candidate is highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage time-sensitive tasks independently and with minimal oversight. They mustdemonstratestrong interpersonal skills, including the ability to interview andengage with clients from diverse backgrounds with empathy, cultural humility, and professionalism. A deep commitment to racial, social, and economic justice is essential.

The Fellowwill carry a full caseload,maintainaccuratetimekeepingand case recordsin accordance withDCALF policies, and activelyparticipatein team case rounds and staff meetings. They will also help refine and strengthen organizational procedures and report directly toDCALF's Probate & Estate PlanningSupervising Attorney.

This job description is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position, management reserves the right to revise the position or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned to be responsive to the needs of our client community and DCALF's overarching practice and organizational needs.ActiveDC Bar membership isrequired; if graduating in May 2027, the Open Horizon Fellowmust take the July 2027DC Bar prior to the start of the Fellowship.

Compensationand Benefits

AnOpen HorizonDCALFFellowgraduating from the JD Class of 2026 will receivea minimum salary of$61,000annually pre-DC Bar passage, increasing to $63,000/yearinthe first year of the fellowship following DC Bar passage; this annual salary will increase to a minimum of $67,000/year for the second year of this two-year fellowship. Fellows with a demonstratedproficiencyin spoken and written Spanish will also receive anadditional$2,500 of annual compensation each year during their participation in the Fellowship program, following Bar passage.

DCALF offers the following benefits:

• Reimbursementof DC Bar exam and Character and Fitness fees for first-time exam takers,andDC Bar Duesreimbursementonce per fellowship year;

• 401(K) retirementplanwith 3%employermatch;

• Medical insurance and elective dental and vision insurance options;

• Generous paidleave, includingvacation,sick, and personaldays,Thanksgivingbreak(Wednesday - Friday),winterbreak closure(Christmas - New Year's),and allFederal and localDCholidays;

• Paid parentalandfamily leave through the DC Paid Family Leave Program;

• Commuter benefits;

• Ongoing training opportunities;and

• Through employment with DCALF, Fellows may also be eligible toparticipatein theLoan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) offered through the DC Bar Foundation (DCBF). The DCBF's LRAP provides one-year, interest-free, forgivable loans of up to $12,000 per year to qualified attorneys.

About Open Horizon

Open Horizon Fellows have access to benefits beyond those offered by the hosting organization, DC Affordable Law Firm. Open Horizon is a family foundation offering optional support and learning opportunities for Fellows to engage in for their personal and professional growth.

Program experiences include and are not limited to optional webinars; invitations to events hosted by Open Horizon and organizations in its network of 40+ nonprofit partners; recognition of fellowship milestones; and opportunities to build meaningful connection with Open Horizon leadership in support of Fellows' current and future goals. In past years, Open Horizon has been pleased to coordinate information interviews for Fellows and make introductionswhereapplicable for those who are jobseeking.Additionalinformation about these benefits and offerings is available at the onset of each calendar year. Current Open Horizon partners hosting fellows include Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives, Council for Court Excellence, DC Justice Lab, Second Stage Theater, Tzedek DC, Washington Lawyers' Committee, and-asof 2025-DCAffordable Law Firm.

Open Horizonremainscommitted to investing in BIPOC fellows and co-creating pathways into the legal profession that help dismantle the persistent educational, access, and opportunity barriers embedded in U.S. social systemsin order tofoster lasting societal change.

How to Apply

Interested applicants mustsubmita cover letter, resume, transcript, three-page writing sample, andlistof three professional references.For best consideration, applyby August 28, 2026.Early applications are strongly encouraged.No calls will be acceptedregardingthisposting, though questions may be directed to hiring@dcaffordablelaw.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DC Affordable Law Firm is an equal opportunity employer andcomplies withall applicable federal, state, and local fair employmentpracticeslaws. DCALF strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, sex (specifically including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, unhoused status, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation political affiliation, tobacco use, credit information, status as unemployed, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.