Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Volunteer Legal Advocates (formerly DC Volunteer Lawyers Project) is breaking the cycle of violence for survivors and children through pro bono legal aid. We recruit, train, and support a dedicated network of volunteer attorneys who provide free legal representation to survivors of domestic violence, immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, and vulnerable children in dangerous situations. With hands-on staff support, our volunteers handle protection orders, custody, divorce, and immigration cases, serve as court-appointed attorneys for children, and staff walk-in clinics that offer legal guidance, safety planning, and referrals to essential resources. Our innovative model expands access to justice for thousands of clients at no cost to them. Learn more at VolunteerLegalAdvocates.org.

Reporting to the Domestic Violence Program Managing Attorney, the Supervising Family Law Attorney is a key member of the Domestic Violence Program. The Supervising Family Law Attorney is responsible for supervising volunteer attorneys, providing brief legal advice at Volunteer Legal Advocates clinics, participating in volunteer trainings, and more. This dynamic role is a unique opportunity to expand access to justice for underserved, low-income individuals in our community while mentoring pro bono attorneys in handling custody and divorce matters.

WHY YOU WANT THIS JOB:

• You believe that a life free from violence and abuse is a basic human right.
• You have a demonstrated commitment to working with vulnerable populations and you want to use your law degree to provide marginalized individuals with access to high quality legal services. 
• You have a law degree and are admitted to practice in the District of Columbia.
• You have three (3) or more years of legal experience focused on working with domestic violence survivors and/or trauma survivors.
• You can work virtually but understand that onsite attendance in our D.C. office is required as is necessary to carry out your duties and onsite participation in court appearances, volunteer trainings and community clinics is required. 
• You enjoy mentoring other attorneys and sharing your experiences in litigation strategies, negotiation skills and ethical guidance. 
• You enjoy working alongside motivated volunteers and guiding them when providing pro bono services in a trauma-informed way. 

WHAT THIS JOB WILL ENTAIL:

• Supervise pro bono attorneys providing free legal advice to survivors of domestic violence at our community clinics. 
• Supervise pro bono attorneys representing survivors of domestic violence in custody, child support and divorce matters with some supervision of pro bono attorneys representing survivors in Civil Protection Order matters. (All cases in DC Superior Court).
• Provide ongoing case-specific guidance to pro bono attorneys, answering substantive legal questions, reviewing pleadings, co-counseling at court hearings, and ensuring compliance with ethical and procedural requirements. 
• Provide high quality direct representation in domestic violence and family law cases, as needed.
• Lead in-person and virtual workshops, mock hearings, and trainings on trauma-informed lawyering at yearly pro bono trainings. 
• Collaborate with client advocates to deliver survivor-centered holistic services and support for survivors of domestic violence.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements by completing necessary documentation and outcomes.
• Represent Volunteer Legal Advocates at meetings and collaborations with other organizations. 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Other relevant duties as assigned. This description is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position as it is recognized that job duties may change over time, based on the needs of Volunteer Legal Advocates. You can work virtually but understand that onsite attendance in our D.C. office, court, and community locations is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• A J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
• Active DC Bar membership or ability to become an active DC Bar member prior to first day of employment.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant work experience, preferably with a legal services organization that provides legal services to survivors of domestic violence. 
• Experience supervising attorneys or mentoring attorneys in a legal setting to ensure high quality work and a positive work environment. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.

SALARY & BENEFITS:
Volunteer Legal Advocates has a positive and supportive work environment with an intentional focus on recruiting, nurturing, and retaining a talented and diverse staff. We prioritize a healthy work-life balance. The salary range for this position is $80,000-$94,000. Employees receive 90% employer-paid health and dental insurance and vision insurance is also available. Volunteer Legal Advocates sponsors a 403(b)-retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution. We also provide a tax-free stipend of $75 each month for personal cell phone and Wi-Fi expenses. Employees receive generous paid leave every year, including three weeks of vacation, three weeks of wellness leave, and 13 holidays. We offer a generous family leave policy for parents following the birth or adoption of a child or placement of a foster child. Volunteer Legal Advocates employees are also eligible to participate in the federal government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. For more information, see -loans/forgiveness- cancellation/public -service. And Volunteer Legal Advocates attorneys are eligible to participate in the DC Bar Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). For more information, see Please note that eligibility in PSLF and or LRAP cannot be guaranteed as both programs are subject to change based on government policies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB:
In addition to the functional skills in this job posting, the following physical abilities are representative of physical demands and environment essential to this position:

• Regular attendance at Volunteer Legal Advocates’ office.
• Ability to travel to court venues and community locations.
• The work environment has moderate noise (i.e., computers, phones, printers, and light traffic).

TO APPLY:
Volunteer Legal Advocates has a non-discrimination policy and encourages all interested and qualified applicants to apply regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other status protected by applicable law. Interested applicants should send a letter of intent and a resume to Sara Tennen at jobs@volunteerlegaladvocates.org

 

Volunteer Legal Advocates (Formerly DC Volunteer Lawyers Project) was established in 2008 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We engage, train and support hundreds of dedicated volunteer attorneys each year to handle emergency protection order, custody, child/spousal support, divorce, and immigration cases on behalf of victims, and to serve as court-appointed advocates for vulnerable children living with abuse, neglect, and other dangerous circumstances. We operate free call-in and walk-in clinics throughout the District of Columbia so victims and other D.C. residents can access free legal services on a wide variety of legal issues including family law, immigration, related criminal cases against abusers, and enforcing victim legal rights in housing, employment, and other financial matters; and non-legal support services including social services referrals, crisis support, and safety planning. More information at

Company Description

Volunteer Legal Advocates (Formerly DC Volunteer Lawyers Project) was established in 2008 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We engage, train and support hundreds of dedicated volunteer attorneys each year to handle emergency protection order, custody, child/spousal support, divorce, and immigration cases on behalf of victims, and to serve as court-appointed advocates for vulnerable children living with abuse, neglect, and other dangerous circumstances. We operate free call-in and walk-in clinics throughout the District of Columbia so victims and other D.C. residents can access free legal services on a wide variety of legal issues including family law, immigration, related criminal cases against abusers, and enforcing victim legal rights in housing, employment, and other financial matters; and non-legal support services including social services referrals, crisis support, and safety planning. More information at

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