Clinical Staff Attorney, Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic (HALC)

Rising for Justice (RFJ) invites applications for a Clinical Staff Attorney for its Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic (HALC). Reporting to RFJ’s Director of HALC, the Clinical Staff Attorney is part of a dynamic interdisciplinary team that provides clinical legal education and case supervision to law students from DC-area law schools enrolled in the clinic, alongside direct legal representation to DC’s low-income tenants facing eviction.

Clinical Staff Attorneys in HALC guide students through all aspects of client representation, including interviewing and maintaining ongoing communication with clients, conducting fact investigations, legal research and writing, arguing motions, engaging in pretrial discovery, conducting evidentiary hearings, trying cases, negotiating settlement agreements, handling appeals, and assisting clients with enforcement of judgments and settlement agreements.

Through seminars, reading assignments, mock hearings, guided reflection, and individual and group instruction, the Clinical Staff Attorney helps students develop strategic judgment, problem-solving skills, and zealous, client-centered advocacy.

Position Responsibilities

Teaching and Student Supervision

• In consultation with the HALC Director, assist with planning and teaching seminar classes in lawyering and advocacy skills, substantive housing law and procedure, evidence, ethics and professionalism, and systemic advocacy.
• Supervise second- and third-year law students in the representation of clients in housing matters ranging from same-day legal services to extended representation.
• Guide student supervisees to reflect on their clinic experiences to improve their lawyering and advocacy skills.
• Evaluate student progress and completion of assignments, including oversight of student evaluation processes and grades.

Client Services and Advocacy

• Supervise law students providing same-day legal services at RFJ’s office at the Landlord and Tenant Branch and other locations and coordinate same-day services with RFJ staff and other court-based legal service providers.
• Provide direct client representation as necessary and between semesters.
• Supervise intake, including monitoring intake systems, managing non-attorney screening, evaluating and assigning cases, supporting on-call attorneys and students in the provision of timely and comprehensive advice and brief services, and identifying cases for possible extended or full representation.
• Work in tandem with other RFJ advocacy units to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Community, Partnerships, and Operations

• Plan and participate in community presentations, including Know-Your-Rights trainings and other community outreach events.
• Serve as a liaison to area law schools in consultation with RFJ management.
• Participate in student recruitment activities and organizational resource development opportunities.
• Maintain thorough and timely data input in RFJ’s case management system and support grant reporting requirements, including maintaining complete case records and updating and closing cases in a timely way.
• Maintain workload expectations and demonstrate effective time and workload management skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be admitted to the DC Bar or eligible for immediate admission by waiver.
• At least three years of litigation experience as a practicing attorney.
• A strong work ethic, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, excellent communication and organizational skills, and a client-centered approach to advocacy.
• A passion for teaching and mentoring law students, with demonstrated capacity for zealous, client-centered representation and a willingness to take on additional responsibility.
• Clinical education experience or other teaching and supervisory experience preferred.
• Understanding of DC housing law and federal and local subsidy programs, and familiarity with the DC courts and administrative agencies preferred.
• Spanish language skills and prior experience advocating for low-income persons desirable.

Hours, Salary, and Benefits

This is a full-time position with a 40-hour workweek. A fixed scale determines RFJ salaries based on years of relevant experience. The salary scale for this position is $70,967 to $101,182 annually. RFJ offers a competitive benefits package, including employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous sick, annual, and personal leave; life and disability insurance; and paid federal and local holidays.

RFJ currently offers a hybrid work environment, with three days of in-office work and two days of remote work.

To Apply

Each candidate should submit a cover letter and resume via email to Linda Brooks, Director of Human Resources, at careers@risingforjustice.org. Please indicate “Clinical Staff Attorney, HALC [your full name]” in the subject line of the email. Finalists will be asked to submit writing samples and professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or hiring process may contact careers@risingforjustice.org.

About Rising for Justice

Founded in 1969, RFJ is the oldest law-school clinical teaching program in Washington, DC. It operates as a public-interest legal services provider and a clinical education program for law school and social work graduate students, serving more than 4,000 clients per year.

Much of RFJ’s work focuses on preventing evictions and displacement for low-income tenants in Washington, DC. In addition, RFJ represents justice-involved DC residents in need of a fresh start by sealing their criminal records, and individuals seeking family stability by representing respondents in civil protective order and anti-stalking order cases.

RFJ provides services from its main office and its DC Superior Court office.

Rising for Justice provides free legal and social work services to low-income Washington, DC residents while training public-interest advocates through clinical programs and partnering with pro bono attorneys to expand capacity. RFJ is committed to strengthening the voices of its low-income clients, collaborating with community partners, and rooting out the inequities that keep people in poverty.

RFJ embraces equal justice and diversity as core values and strives to maintain a vibrant, welcoming, innovative, and collaborative workplace. The organization is committed to fostering the thoughtful exchange of ideas and to ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.

Its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination includes race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, personal appearance, genetic information, political affiliation, marital status, family responsibilities, disability, status as a veteran, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law or regulation.

Candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities are encouraged to apply.