Description:

A Civil Legal Aid Organization is seeking a Supervising Attorney for its Public Benefits Unit.

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.