Director of Reentry and Community Lawyering

Legal Aid DC seeks a Director of Reentry and Community Lawyering to oversee our Reentry Justice and Community Lawyering Projects.

Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. We provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, immigration and criminal record sealing matters. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and 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.

The Director of Reentry and Community Lawyering will be part of Legal Aid’s Systemic Advocacy and Law Reform Program, which also includes the Barbara McDowell Appellate Advocacy Project, the Impact Litigation Project, and the Policy Advocacy Project. The Director of Reentry and Community Lawyering will report to the Legal Director of Systemic Advocacy and Law Reform.  

Responsibilities

Oversee Reentry Justice Project:

• Supervise the Project’s active docket of cases, including motions to seal records under DC’s Criminal Record Sealing law, Youth Rehabilitation Act, and Human Trafficking Act.
• Supervise other casework targeted to address the collateral consequences of involvement in the criminal legal system, including housing denials, Ban the Box violations, and more.
• Review all program intakes, complete merits evaluation and assign or refer for pro bono placement as appropriate.
• Provide mentorship to pro bono attorneys handling criminal record sealing matters.
• Engage in agency and court reform advocacy.
• Explore outreach opportunities within the specific communities served by the Project, including youth offenders and others with prior criminal legal system involvement.
• Manage grant application and reporting requirements.

Oversee and expand Legal Aid’s Community Lawyering and Engagement Program:

• Work with program staff to expand our presence in the communities that we serve, including by building relationships with community-based organizations and developing and maintaining meaningful channels of communication so that our work can be informed by the expressed interests of our client-eligible community.  
• Work closely with the Legal Director of Systemic Advocacy and Law Reform on expanding existing outreach and community legal education, working to make our services more geographically accessible and exploring and implementing new models for providing brief services and advice, including community-based clinics. 
• Work with program staff to develop and maintain accessible community education and self-help materials for self-represented litigants.
• Gather information on how to better serve clients’ and prospective clients’ needs by creating and administering community surveys and coordinating and facilitating community listening sessions.
• Attend and facilitate meetings with Legal Aid’s Community Advisory Council (CAC) and collaborate with CAC as appropriate.
• Provide and supervise the provision of brief legal services, including periodically on matters outside of our standard practice areas.
• Supervise walk-in intake at Legal Aid’s Anacostia office and other community sites.

Supervise Reentry Justice and Community Lawyering Program Staff: 

• Supervise program staff, currently one full time Reentry Justice Project attorney, one full time Reentry Justice Project fellow, and two full time Community Lawyers. Supervise legal assistants, interns and other program staff as needed.
• Check in regularly with staff on assigned work. Review and provide feedback on motions, training and outreach materials and other written work product.
• Monitor staff professional development and growth opportunities. Provide prompt and comprehensive feedback on staff written and oral work product. Provide staff evaluations on a regular basis.

Collaborate with other Systemic Advocacy and Law Reform Program projects:

• Work with the Direct Legal Services Programs and clients and community-based groups to identify areas in need of law reform. Collaborate with the Systemic Advocacy Program team to identify litigation, appellate and/or policy solutions, and support those efforts as appropriate.
• Coordinate community education and engagement on law reform priority areas.
• Support the Policy Program with legislative and budget advocacy relating to reentry, including by monitoring and actively advocating on legislative developments in the area of record sealing.

The Director of Reentry and Community Lawyering may also be expected to complete other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

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

The ideal candidate will have the following: 

• A demonstrated commitment to racial, social, and economic justice.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• At least seven years’ legal practice experience.
• Knowledge of one or more of Legal Aid’s practice areas (preferably criminal record sealing), civil rights and/or poverty law.
• Supervisory experience and the ability to successfully manage teams, including delegating and overseeing work and mentoring and training junior staff.
• Enthusiasm for exploring new and creative ways to expand legal services.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively with teams.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.
• Bilingual skills (in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community) are strongly preferred but not required.

Salary and Benefits

The Director of Reentry and Community Lawyering will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid's Supervising Attorney/Director policy based on years of relevant full-time experience. Lateral hires will receive credit for years of relevant work experience. Starting salaries are as follows:

• Director with 7 years full-time relevant work experience: starting at $102,515
• Director with 10 years full-time relevant work experience: starting at $110,844

Legal Aid DC 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’s generous benefits package includes fully paid health insurance for the employee, annual discretionary retirement match, annual and sick leave allotments starting at 15 days each per year, 12 paid holidays, and up to 3 personal days per year.

To Apply

Legal Aid DC 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 legal system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve.

Interested persons are encouraged to apply immediately. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications for and interest in the position here. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. This position has a closing date of May 14, 2024. No emails or phone calls, please.