Brief Services and Housing Staff Attorney
Neighborhood Legal Services Program of the District of Columbia (NLSP) seeks a full-time staff attorney to join our Brief Services Unit and Housing Law Practice.
NLSP is a private, non-profit law firm that provides high quality civil legal services to low- income residents of the District of Columbia. NLSP has a long tradition of fighting for justice for the poor, combining direct representation with efforts to achieve broad-based change. Our three offices are in the poorest neighborhoods of the District to maximize our visibility, accessibility, and connections to the communities we serve. NLSP provides legal representation in a full range of civil matters affecting the lives of low-income DC residents, including housing, consumer protection, family court disputes, income maintenance, barriers to employment and public benefits.
We believe that housing is a human right. Our housing unit works to ensure that all DC residents have access to safe, affordable housing by preserving, eliminating barriers to, and increasing affordable housing. We represent tenants in eviction cases, affirmative litigation to preserve affordable housing and prevent housing discrimination, building-wide conditions cases, voucher termination cases, and a variety of other cases. NLSP’s housing work is community-focused and driven by the needs of low-income DC residents.
As a staff attorney, the successful candidate will be a member of both NLSP’s brief services unit and our housing practice, providing advice and brief services to DC tenants at risk of being displaced from their homes. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to serve clients directly but does not want to spend much time in the courtroom.
Together, NLSP’s brief services unit and housing practice prevents hundreds of evictions each year, holds slumlords accountable, and secures tens of thousands of dollars for people who have experienced housing discrimination. NLSP has a supportive and flexible work culture. We think of ourselves as a team, and we support each other in addition to supporting our clients.
Our work is creative and fast-paced.
All NLSP staff members are currently working remotely. Once the offices are reconstituted all staff members will receive office assignments.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Brief Services and Housing Staff Attorney’s work will include:
- Providing advice and brief services in housing cases and assessing whether they are appropriate for extended representation.
- Representing a limited number of tenants in eviction cases.
- Conducting intakes on DC’s shared tenant advice hotline, the Landlord-Tenant Legal Assistance Network (LTLAN).
- Coordinating with other NLSP staff to prevent evictions and connect clients with the support and services they need to stabilize their housing situation.
- Actively participating as a member of the NLSP team, including but not limited to, participation in cross-practice advocacy and activities.
- Identifying and, with other NLSP staff, developing responses to systemic housing problems in Washington, D.C.
- Maintaining and/or developing community partnerships in order to help us serve more low- income DC residents.
- Conducting outreach including know-your-rights presentations and on-site intakes (in COVID-safe ways) at a variety of locations where people need our services such as public housing complexes, libraries, schools, etc. as well as online presentations.
- Salary commensurate with experience, starting at $55,500 and increasing for each year of relevant experience.
- Generous benefits package including excellent health, dental, and vision insurance and eight weeks of paid parental leave.
The ideal candidate will have the following:
- Member of the DC Bar or eligible to practice under DC Court of Appeals Rule 49 and willingness to waive into the DC Bar. Candidates who have not yet taken a bar exam will NOT be considered for this position.
- Willingness and ability to provide client-centered legal services.
- Commitment to racial justice, racial equity, and economic justice.
- Creative problem-solving skills, patience, and team-oriented approach.
- Ability to work independently and willingness to ask for help when needed.
- Experience with legal services (including internships and clinics).
- Flexibility and a can-do attitude.
The position is available immediately. The position remains open until filled. Apply here.
NLSP HIRING POLICY
Neighborhood Legal Services Program is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our staff. It is the policy of NLSP that no employee or applicant for employment or services will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, family responsibilities or family status, veteran’s status, or any other basis prohibited by law, including the D.C. Human Rights Act and Language Access Act.
NLSP thrives on our diversity, and we strongly encourage persons of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, returning citizens, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.