Jobs

The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia seeks two staff attorneys for its public benefits law unit. Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform.  Currently, we represent clients in cases involving housing, domestic violence/family, public benefits, and consumer law. 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. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org, and our blog, www.MakingJusticeReal.Org.

Tasks and Duties

Legal Aid has a broad and energetic public benefits law unit currently consisting of thirteen full-time attorneys and one volunteer staff attorney. The unit helps families and individuals overcome legal barriers to accessing essential safety net benefits such as Unemployment Insurance, SNAP, SSI, Social Security, TANF, Medicaid, and DC Alliance. Unit attorneys represent and advise clients in matters before federal and local agencies, including the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings, and engage in systemic policy advocacy and litigation on behalf of our client community. The staff attorney will handle a caseload of public benefits matters (including ones involving access to public benefits for non-citizens) and engage in community outreach, policy advocacy, and systemic reform efforts. The attorney will be based out of Legal Aid’s main NW office but will also help staff intake hours at its community offices in SE Washington, D.C.  (Note: As a result of the public health emergency, Legal Aid is currently operating remotely and, dependent on current circumstances, the individual hired for this position may start their employment working remotely and participate in remote hearings at the D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings.)

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following:

 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;
• Legal experience in public benefits work and/or immigration work a plus;
• Litigation and/or advocacy experience a plus; and
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community strongly preferred, but not required.

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

Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and does not unlawfully discriminate on any basis prohibited by law.  Legal Aid encourages applications from all 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 justice system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve.

Salary and Benefits

The attorney will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid’s competitive attorney salary scale based on years of experience, with a starting salary of $54,756 for an entry-level attorney who has just passed the bar, followed by a salary step each year thereafter. Legal Aid offers a generous benefits package.

To Apply

The position is available immediately.  Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Position remains open until filled. 

For more information, please click here.

The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia seeks a Staff Attorney for its Consumer Law 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 domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, consumer law 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. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org, and our blog, www.MakingJusticeReal.org.

Tasks and Duties

Legal Aid has a broad and energetic consumer law practice. We give priority to cases in which our lawyers can assist clients to preserve their limited assets, most commonly by working to avoid foreclosure and/or preserve homeownership or guarding against abusive debt collection practices. In addition to maintaining an active litigation docket, we engage in systemic policy advocacy on behalf of our client community. At full capacity, our unit is staffed by one supervising attorney, three senior staff attorneys, two staff attorneys, one volunteer staff attorney, and a legal assistant.

Consumer law attorneys work out of Legal Aid’s main office in Northwest DC, its community office in Southeast DC, and its court-based offices in DC Superior Court. The Staff Attorney will be expected to conduct initial client interviews, maintain a caseload of consumer law cases, and engage in community outreach, policy advocacy and systemic reform efforts. Among other things, the Staff Attorney would be expected to staff the Consumer Court-Based Legal Services Project focusing on debt collection actions and the Foreclosure Prevention Project, both of which provide low-income litigants with access to temporary, same-day legal representation in consumer law matters being heard in DC Superior Court. (Note: As a result of the public health emergency, Legal Aid is currently operating remotely. Depending on current circumstances, the individual hired for the position may start their employment working remotely, participate in remote hearings at DC Superior Court, and work on non-consumer law matters to meet the most urgent needs of our client community during the pandemic.)

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice;
• Strong litigation, organizational, oral and written communication, and leadership skills;
• Experience in legal services, preferably with a background in consumer law;
• The ability to work collaboratively; and
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community strongly preferred, but not required.

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

Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and does not unlawfully discriminate on any basis prohibited by law.  Legal Aid 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.

Salary and Benefits

The attorney will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid’s competitive attorney salary scale based on years of experience, with a starting salary of $54,756 for an entry-level attorney who has just passed the bar, followed by a salary step each year thereafter. Legal Aid offers a competitive benefits package.

To Apply

The position is available immediately.  Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Position remains open until filled. 

For more information, please click here.

Hi talented lawyer friends! MacArthur’s Supreme Court & Appellate program is hiring for three appellate fellowship positions, and I’m hoping you can spread the word to your recent law school grad friends. These positions are ideal for someone coming off a clerkship or another fellowship (unfortunately, current law students can’t apply).

• A one-year fellowship focused on combating sexual assault in prison through strategic appellate litigation, amicus work, and communications strategy. That posting is live here, and hiring is beginning immediately.
• A two-year fellowship focused on building MacArthur’s docket in state courts of appeal and supreme courts, focusing on expanding protections for prisoners and criminal defendants under state constitutions.
• A two-year fellowship focused on expanding the scope of Kingsley v. Hendrickson, 576 U.S. 389 (2015) (lowering mens rea for excessive force claims in pretrial detention facilities), to other kinds of facilities (including immigration detention centers) and other kinds of prison conditions claims (including denial of medical care and failure to protect claims).

All positions will start in the spring (ideally February or March). Fellows can work from either our DC or our Chicago offices once it's safe to be in person. And salary range is $50,000 for one year of experience up to $95,000, depending on experience (all positions require at least one year of experience). For more information, please contact:

Easha Anand
Supreme Court & Appellate Counsel
510 588 1274
macarthurjustice.org
2443 Fillmore St., #380-15875
San Francisco, CA 94115 

WOMEN'S LAW CENTER of Maryland, Inc.

Job Opening

Job Description:  Collateral Legal Assistance for Survivors Project (CLAS) - Staff Attorney, primarily in the Baltimore Metro Area

Status: Full Time Professional, grant funded

Salary: $57,000-$60,000 dependent on experience level, with excellent benefits.

Office climate: Flexible, committed to excellence.

The Women’s Law Center of Maryland, Inc. (WLC) is a feminist, non-profit membership organization committed to ensuring equal rights for women. Through our Protective Order Advocacy and Representation (POARP) Projects we represent victims of intimate partner violence in proceedings to obtain Protective Orders, as well as other protective order proceedings as they arise, in the courts in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Carroll County. Complementing POARP, our CLAS Project, represents survivors in other legal issues arising from the domestic violence, usually custody, divorce and/or other family law issues, as well as in protective orders. Representation in other counties as able. This is a full time litigation position. We are seeking a strong, experienced attorney dedicated to assisting survivors in their journey to independence and strength, who is capable of working independently and with a team.  Benefits include but are not limited to Simple IRA match, health insurance coverage for employees, EAP services, and unlimited personal/vacation leave. 

Duties and Responsibilities Include:

1.     Provide full legal representation and assistance for issues collateral to domestic violence, such as divorce and custody, landlord tenant, replevin, etc.

2.     Maintain caseload of clients for extended issues collateral to domestic violence.

3.     Travel between the various Women’s Law Center POARP project offices to provide coverage when and as needed assisting POARP Staff Attorneys in representing clients in final protective orders, modifications, contempt hearings and appeals (home office is in the Towson administrative office location).

4.     Use Legal Server case management system.

5.     Draft legal documents including, but not limited to, Petitions or Complaints, Answers, Motions, Orders, discovery, and correspondence. Represent clients throughout their case.

6.     Conduct in-depth client intake interviews and gather evidence as part of trial preparation.

7.     Work collaboratively with the project’s legal advocate in assessing eligibility for representation and best practices, as well as case management.

8.     Schedule interviews, perform administrative duties, develop and provide follow-up services and referrals to clients.

9.     Perform criminal accompaniments for survivors of domestic violence as schedule allows.

10.  Attend trainings and conferences as approved/directed by WLC to enhance knowledge of domestic violence law and family law.

11.  Provide training, orientation, and educational materials related to POARP and CLAS, as well as domestic violence generally, for members of the courthouse staff, the domestic violence prevention community, and other community groups as requested.

12.  Develop and prepare project data and reports. Participate in preparation of reports to grantors and requests for new funding.  Maintain project files.

13.  As part of WLC team, provide occasional staffing for events for members, participate in project and membership development, attend and participate, as time permits, in committees, task forces, and policy-making bodies concerned with domestic violence and family law.

14.  Spanish fluency helpful but not required.

15.  Supervise interns when applicable.

16.  Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

1.     J.D. from an accredited law school and an attorney in good standing with the Maryland Bar.

2.     3 years of litigation experience preferred, preferably litigation experience in Maryland related to family law, including domestic violence. Must be committed to expanding this knowledge through on-the-job and continuing education. 

3.     Must be a strong feminist dedicated to assisting survivors, including legal representation and all it entails, but also helping survivors to move forward and thrive.

4.     Excellent judgment and strong interpersonal skills: must be creative, empathetic, and people oriented.

5.     An understanding of the issues facing victims of domestic violence and women in Maryland family law. Commitment to providing excellent legal services for survivors of domestic violence.

6.     Excellent written and oral communications skills. Must be fluent in English.

7.     A demonstrated ability to handle multiple professional projects simultaneously and independently.

8.     Must be flexible and a team player. CLAS consists of two attorneys and a legal advocate who work collaboratively.

9.     Knowledge of or willingness to learn Legal Server.

10.  Must have some knowledge of basic computer operation including Windows, Word, Excel, and MS Outlook.

11.  Must complete tasks promptly and thoroughly without close supervision.

12.  Spanish language fluency preferred.

13.  Must have own transportation.

To apply, send cover letter and resume via e-mail to:

Laure Ruth, Legal Director

Women’s Law Center of Maryland, Inc.

305 West Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 201

Towson, Maryland 21204

lruth@wlcmd.org

Position open until filled. Accepting applications until filled.  

Equal Opportunity Employment

The Women’s Law Center of Maryland considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply.  As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email us at admin@wlcmd.org.

Updated 10/2020.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), Office of the Ranking Member, seeks virtual unpaid interns and law clerks for the spring of 2021 (January –April/May).  The positions offer undergraduate, graduate, med students, and law students the opportunity to gain substantive experience working virtually with a Senate office while participating directly in the legislative process.  Intern and law clerk responsibilities include, but are not limited to: assisting Committee staff in performing administrative duties, conducting research, analyzing legislation, drafting memorandums, and assisting in remote hearings.  Interns and law clerks play a key role with the office and will work closely with senior policy advisors.  This internship will be virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and selected interns will be provided with Senate equipment to complete their internship with the committee.

The HELP Committee works on a wide range of issues in the areas of health, education, labor, workforce, pensions, oversight, and disabilities.

Qualifications: Applicants should have (i) an interest in public policy and (ii) a desire to learn. They also must have good attention to detail, work well under pressure, be self-motivated, and possess excellent written and oral communication skills. 

Openings:

Health Policy Intern: interest and experience in health-related matters, including but not limited to: the Affordable Care Act, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children’s health, the Food and Drug Administration, health equity/disparities, health information technology, health workforce, Medicare/Medicaid, mental health, the National Institutes of Health, public health and preparedness, and/or women’s health.

Disability Policy Intern: interest in issues and policy as it relates to individuals with disabilities that may include: equitable educational opportunities, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, seclusion and restraint, alternate assessment, equitable employment opportunities, AbilityOne, efforts to phase out subminimum wage, health care broadly, home and community based services, health disparities, Medicaid, and disability rights. 

Oversight Law Clerk: clerkship open to current law students or recent law school graduates who are interested in health, education, and labor law and policies that strive to protect consumers, workers, and the public. Previous experience in government is not required but candidates should have a general understanding of the legislative process.   

Applications: Interested applicants should apply to this position by applying on the OAM website. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis. The priority deadline for the spring 2021 virtual internship program is Wednesday, November 18th, 2020.  The office is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender, identity or sexual orientation.

For more information and to apply, please click here.

Senator Feinstein is seeking current law students for unpaid, part-time or full-time law clerkships in her Senate Judiciary Committee office in Washington, D.C. The clerkship will begin in January and end in May.  Judiciary staffers advise the Senator in areas related to national security, terrorism, criminal and civil law, immigration, civil rights, privacy, intellectual property, and judicial nominations.  Law clerks assist staff with legislative and oversight responsibilities and engage in a range of activities, including, but not limited to, attending hearings, conducting legal research, and drafting briefing memoranda for the Senator.  Some general office support is also required.  Ideal candidates are current students who wish to learn about the legislative process, and are interested in government and public interest law. Candidates should have excellent writing and research skills, and the ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.  Strong written and oral communication skills and a good sense of humor are essential. Please e-mail your resume, a cover letter that includes your availability, your unofficial transcript, a short writing sample, and a list of at least three references.  All application materials must be submitted by 5:00 pm EST on September 24, 2020.

For more information and to apply, please click here.

The Democratic staff of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), the chief investigative subcommittee of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, seeks current law students and recent law graduates for unpaid, part-time or full-time legal clerkships for spring 2021. The law clerks will participate in a variety of projects, including conducting legal research, drafting letters and document requests, conducting document review, and preparing memoranda and other materials for Subcommittee investigations and hearings. The clerkship provides a unique opportunity to participate in congressional investigations regarding a broad range of issues. Applicants must be self-motivated, hard-working, well-organized, detail oriented, and have strong written and oral communication skills. Applicants with a demonstrated interest in public service are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Interested applicants should submit a brief cover letter that includes anticipated availability, a resume, and a relevant writing sample of no more than 10 pages. All application must be sent in a single PDF document by 6:00 p.m. EST on September 24, 2020. Please include the job referral number in the subject line of your application submission email. No phone calls or drop-ins please. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Subcommittee is currently planning on having remote clerkships for the spring of 2021. However, public health developments could allow for in-person clerkships.

For more information and to apply, please click here.

The General Counsel’s Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission seeks attorneys with Intellectual Property experience and qualifications to join our Office of Litigation and Administrative Practice.

The Commission’s General Litigation attorneys handle a broad range of defense and legal advisory services on behalf of the Commission.  These duties include providing intellectual property advice and counseling and litigation services to support the SEC’s IT activities.  For example, the group has been working on a critical long term project involving a challenge of patent infringement against the SEC’s EDGAR XBRL filing system.  That matter is now in active litigation at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.  The group also counsels the Office of Acquisitions and the Office of Information Technology on patent and contract terms involving the Federal Acquisition Regulation, private sector terms and conditions, and how to ensure SEC requirements are met in procurement actions.

The group also handles evolving issues of Internet usage, including its use as a platform for attempted fraud, impersonation and abuse.  It also handles issues involving SEC trademarks, such as “EDGAR” and “SEC.”

Applicants must possess a J.D degree and be an active member of the bar and in good standing (any jurisdiction). In addition, applicants must have a minimum of two years post J.D. experience as a practicing attorney, one year of which is in the specialty areas.  Preferred experience includes patent experience and qualification, litigation experience and counseling experience. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to GCResumes@sec.gov. Questions: call Allan Capute (202) 551-5122.

Summary

OEC oversees compliance with Federal ethics law, Government Wide Standards of Conduct, related federal statutes, Office of Government Ethics regulations and SEC requirements. OEC provides advice and policy guidance to present and former SEC employees on a variety of issues; personal and financial conflicts of interest, securities holdings and transactions by SEC employees and their immediate families, gifts, seeking and negotiating other employment, outside activities, and financial disclosure.

• Serves as a senior management compliance attorney providing direction and oversight for a staff serving as the legal counsel for the area of business and personal ethics.

• Oversees and supervises the agency's Personal Trading Compliance System (PTCS).

• Addresses questions of law concerning the SEC's supplemental regulations.

• Makes policy decisions so that legal advice, opinions, and determinations ensure the propriety of SEC actions, policies, practices, and positions under pertinent ethics statutory and regulatory provisions.

• Supervises and leads the agency's compliance testing program to ensure agency employees are complying with applicable SEC ethics regulations.

• Audits and evaluates compliance of SEC personnel through review of brokerage statements, financial disclosure forms and PTCS data.

• Maintains a high profile throughout the SEC in practicing and promoting preventive law by exercising exceptional initiative, ingenuity, and resourcefulness in foreseeing legal impediments and develops solutions to those impediments.

• Ensures that SEC executive management is made aware of existing and potential legal issues and other legislation and regulations impacting the SEC ethics program and agency operations.

• Ensures the fulfillment of requirements for a quality legal product and the continued development of subordinates to meet changing legal requirements and contingencies.

For more information and to apply, please click here.

The Democratic Staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration seeks full-time undergraduate, graduate, or law students to work virtually during the Fall 2020 semester. Clerks and interns will assist Committee staff with research and the drafting of legislation, memos, talking points, and letters. Projects will focus on a variety of areas within the Committee’s jurisdiction, including election administration, campaign finance, and oversight. Successful applicants will have excellent research and writing skills and be highly motivated. Please email a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and unofficial transcript to senate_employment@saa.senate.gov indicating the job referral number in the subject line. No phone calls or drop-ins please.