Legal Assistant, Systemic Advocacy & Law Reform

Legal Aid DC is hiring a Legal Assistant to join our Systemic Advocacy and Law Reform Program.

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.

Position Summary

The Legal Assistant will provide substantive and administrative support to the Systemic Advocacy and Law Reform Program, which includes the following projects: Policy Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, Community Lawyering & Engagement, and Impact Litigation. The Legal Assistant will support the work of all projects under the Systemic Advocacy Program. When opportunities arise and depending on the skill level and interest of the Legal Assistant, they may also staff Systemic Advocacy projects and/or serve on internal Legal Aid working groups.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Supporting the Policy Advocacy Project:

• Signing up of witnesses for Council testimony;
• Finalizing/proofreading and formatting written Council testimony;
• Taking and circulating notes from internal and external policy-related meetings;

Supporting the Appellate Advocacy and Impact Litigation Projects:

• Assisting with Appellate Docket mining and maintaining case spreadsheet;
• Providing litigation support, including pleading and exhibit preparation, formatting proofreading, and cite-checking;
• Providing litigation investigation support.

Supporting Community Engagement and Outreach Project:

• Staffing community-based walk-in sites, including Legal Aid’s Anacostia office;
• Completing intakes as needed at community-based sites and outreach events;
• Working with Systemic Advocacy Program Coordinator to schedule outreach events and build partnerships with community-based organizations;
• Attending and helping to facilitate outreach events;
• Preparing intake, self-help and outreach materials in collaboration with program staff.

General Program Support:

• Taking notes and participating in Systemic Advocacy Program meetings;
• Helping with onboarding of new staff within the Program;
• Assisting with the tracking of the work of the Program;
• Supporting with grants, lobbying, and other reporting requirements;
• Providing general and back-up administrative support and working collaboratively with co-workers to ensure coverage of administrative needs throughout the office.

General Employee Responsibilities:

• Prepare for check in meetings with supervisor and otherwise actively participate in supervisor/supervisee relationship;
• Collaborate with supervisor to establish and monitor performance and professional development goals;
• Comply with policies and procedures as outlined in Legal Aid’s Employee Manual and additional instructions from supervisory teams and/or Legal Aid leadership;
• Work in-person at Legal Aid’s NW or SE Offices, DC Superior Court, the Office of Administrative Hearings, and in our client community as directed;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The attributes for the position are as follows:

• Bilingual skills (in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community) strongly preferred but not required;
• The ability to build relationships with applicants, clients, staff, and colleagues, including those in crisis or from a different background;
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated timeliness and responsiveness to clients, colleagues, and supervisors;
• Ability to manage and triage multiple priorities, and take a creative approach to problem solving;
• Adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively and efficiently with a diverse group of colleagues, supervisors, and external stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes;
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds at times and to travel within the District as needed.

Salary and Benefits

The Legal Assistant will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid's 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:

• Entry-level: starting at $48,303
• 3 years full-time relevant work experience: starting at $53,139
• 5 years full-time relevant work experience: starting at $56,348
• 10 years full-time relevant work experience: starting at $64,368

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 includes fully paid health insurance (for the employee), annual discretionary retirement match, 12 paid holidays, three personal days and generous annual and sick leave allotments starting at 12 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave per year.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320.

To Apply

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. Position remains open until filled. No emails or phone calls, please.

Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and encourages applications from interested persons 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.