Legal Aid DC

Legal Aid of the District of Columbia seeks an energetic and detail-oriented individual for the position of Legal Assistant to provide administrative and legal support to its domestic violence/family law and immigration law practices. 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 consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, 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. 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 , and our blog,  www.MakingJusticeReal.org . The Domestic Violence/Family Law Unit represents clients in a wide range of intrafamily matters in D.C. Superior Court. The Domestic Violence/Family Law Unit has three supervising attorneys, thirteen staff attorneys, and two legal assistants. Our Unit assists domestic violence survivors with Civil Protection Orders, and represents clients in custody, child support, and divorce cases. In addition to representing clients in court, our Unit participates in community outreach, interviews prospective clients, and may engage in systemic reform efforts. Legal Aid’s Domestic Violence/Family Law Unit primarily work out of our NW office, but may also work out of Legal Aid’s community office in SE. Unit staff also help at one or more of the District’s two Domestic Violence Intake Centers – in NW at the DC Superior Courthouse and in SE at the “Big Chair” office complex in Anacostia, as well as the Child Support Resource Center (CSRC) and the Family Law Assistance Network (FLAN) offices at DC Superior Court.  Our Unit also includes Legal Aid’s immigrant rights’ practice, through which we provide assistance in immigration matters, as well as holistic services across our practice areas to D.C.’s immigrant community. Note: Legal Aid is operating with a hybrid work schedule. Several days of in-office work per week is required. Tasks and Duties Legal Aid is seeking a Legal Assistant/Paralegal to join our Domestic Violence/Family Law Unit and also provide support to our Immigrant’s Rights Legal Services Project. The Legal Assistant/Paralegal would be part of a dynamic team with the attorneys and other legal assistants in the Unit to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services.  Working closely with staff attorneys in the organization, the Legal Assistant will provide vital support assisting with both client cases as well as systemic work being done in support our client community.  Responsibilities include performing basic clerical support, assisting in litigation, conducting investigations, meeting with clients, conducting initial applicant interviews and follow-ups, and working collaboratively and effectively with co-workers to ensure coverage of administrative and paralegal needs throughout Legal Aid’s offices.  The Legal Assistant/Paralegal will serve as Legal Aid’s point person for referrals to and from the Victim Legal Network of DC and from community partners Carlos Rosario Public Charter School and La Clinica del Pueblo. The Legal Assistant/Paralegal may also provide on-site support for any of Legal Aid’s community or courthouse offices and may represent Legal Aid at community outreach events.  A successful candidate will be someone who is fueled by Legal Aid’s mission and will want to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that often requires multi-tasking while at the same time maintaining a high level of attention to detail.  Required Skills and Experience A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice; Excellent organizational skills, with attention to detail; Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments; Effective oral communication skills, particularly telephonic communication; Effective written communication skills; Strong interpersonal skills and desire to take initiative in managing projects; Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others; Strong computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Google applications (familiarity working with online databases helpful but not required); Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, Amharic or another language prevalent in Legal Aid's client community; and Availability to make a two-year commitment (minimum) strongly preferred. Preferred Qualifications Ability to speak Spanish, Amharic, or other language. A start date of June/July 2023 along with a commitment to at least two years in this role is encouraged.

Legal Aid of the District of Columbia seeks an energetic, motivated, and  detail-oriented individual for the position of Consumer Intake Specialist (Bilingual). This position is housed in the Consumer Unit at Legal Aid. The intake specialist will serve as an initial point of contact for members of our client  community seeking legal assistance for matters within the Consumer Unit, and they will conduct initial intake interviews with prospective Legal Aid clients. Background 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 consumer law,  domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, 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. Legal Aid has a broad and energetic consumer practice. Our Consumer Law Unit helps clients protect their limited income and assets. We specialize in two principal areas of practice: foreclosure prevention and consumer debt collection defense. We also engage in significant efforts to address consumer issues of public policy. Our unit is currently staffed by two supervising attorneys, five staff attorneys, one legal fellow, one volunteer attorney,  and one legal assistant. 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 and the Consumer Unit please visit our website,  www.legalaiddc.org . Responsibilities: The Consumer Intake Specialist will be based out of Legal Aid’s main NW office but may also work in its community office in SE Washington, D.C. or other community-based sites. Legal Aid has a hybrid work schedule. The Consumer Legal Intake Specialist will be required to work in the office a minimum of two to three days a week and may be required to work in the office more than three days a week depending on job responsibilities. The majority of the Consumer Intake Specialist’s time will be spent on serving as an initial point of contact for (and conducting intakes with) individuals who are seeking assistance from the Consumer Unit. However, they will also perform intake functions that will support the entire organization. Conducting Intake Interviews with Applicants for Legal Assistance Serving as an initial point of contact by telephone (primarily) and in-person, for persons seeking assistance from Legal Aid Collecting information from callers and walk-in applicants to screen their eligibility for  Legal Aid’s services and providing referral information, when appropriate Conducting in-depth intake interviews by telephone and/or in-person Completing follow ups with applicants for legal assistance including gathering documents from applicants to assist attorneys with case investigation Assisting with management of the online intake application portal, including initial screening of online intake applications Data Management and Analysis Entering intake interview information into Legal Aid’s client database, Legal Server, and running reports when necessary Assisting with gathering data to track and analyze intake trends Administrative and Other Required Tasks Performing administrative tasks as needed, related to the Consumer Unit intake processes and notices. Other duties as assigned by Consumer Unit Supervisors. General Intake-Related Tasks Working with the Intake Program, as well as other units’ Intake Specialists, to provide  coverage for general intake responsibilities outside of the Intake Specialists’ unit. These tasks include (but are not limited to): monitoring general intake voicemail box;  triaging and returning calls as appropriate; and collecting information from callers and  walk-in applicants to screen their eligibility for Legal Aid’s services. Qualifications: Bilingual skills required (in Spanish, Amharic, or another language prevalent in Legal Aid’s client community), ideally with experience using those language skills in a legal or community setting. Strong commitment to racial, economic and social justice Experience engaging with individuals who are in crisis or dealing with trauma Effective oral and written communication skills Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments Strong computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other Microsoft applications (familiarity working with online databases helpful but not  required) Familiarity with legal, social services or public benefits systems through lived and/or  prior professional experience preferred Availability to make a two-year minimum commitment strongly preferred