Supervising Attorney, Public Benefits Law Unit

Legal Aid DC is seeking a Supervising 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 supervising attorney will report to the Legal Director for the Direct Legal Services Program.

Responsibilities

Supervising Unit Staff

• Supervise and guide unit staff at regular case review meetings; provide timely feedback to supervisees on case strategy, filings, and/or other work product.
• Participate in performance evaluations; support supervisees’ professional development by working to identify strengths, areas for growth and improvement, and goals.
• Perform administrative and management functions necessary for supervision and organizational operations, including reviewing leave requests, timekeeping and deliverables, and ensuring unit staff follow proper policies relating to case management and recordkeeping.
• Support supervisees in meeting case handling expectations while providing high quality legal services.

Leadership and Management of the Unit

• Review and assign new cases; convene regular unit meetings; identify and/or lead training opportunities; create uniform systems and policies for the unit.
• Serve as a resource on public benefits law to those within and outside of Legal Aid.
• Engage with leaders at relevant DC agencies to promote access to justice and the effective implementation of laws and programs impacting Legal Aid’s public benefits client community.
• Provide support to Legal Aid’s Development Unit in drafting grant applications and reports to funding sources that support the unit’s work.
• Together with the Director of Policy Advocacy, identify and advance policy goals to address systemic issues impacting the client community through legislative, agency and other reform.
• Work with Legal Aid’s Barbara McDowell Appellate Project to monitor for, and participate in, appellate cases with potential impact on the unit’s priority issues.
• Work with the Pro Bono team to place and mentor public benefits cases.
• Maintain a modest caseload of public benefits matters for direct representation, either as sole counsel or co-counsel.
  

Leadership of the Organization

• Supervise intake and conflict clearance.
• Consider the impact of proposed organization-wide policies or actions on the Public Benefits Unit, as well as the impact on the entire organization.
• Participate in organization-wide discussions and initiatives.

People & Culture

• Actively participate as part of team of Supervisors and Project Directors in crafting and advancing organizational initiatives.
• Help to foster and reflect an inclusive organizational culture.

Required Skills and Experience

Membership or eligibility for membership in the DC bar is required.

Candidates should have the following:

• Significant experience in a legal services public benefits practice; 
• Experience managing or supervising attorneys preferred;
• A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice;
• Strong legal, 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;
• The ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and organizational responsibilities; 
• The ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with clients, staff, partner organizations, pro bono attorneys, and members of local legal services and advocacy coalitions; 
• Experience with grant management preferred, but not required.
• Litigation and/or advocacy experience a plus; and
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community preferred, but not required.

Salary and Benefits

The attorney will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid’s Supervisor policy based on years of relevant full time experience, starting at $96,964 for a supervising attorney with five years of relevant experience. 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 including fully paid health insurance for the employee, annual discretionary retirement match, 12 paid holidays, annual and sick leave allotments starting at 15 days each per year, and up to 3 personal days per year.  

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 here. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. This position has a closing date of May 15, 2024. No emails or phone calls, please.