Pro Bono Support Attorney

Internal Revenue Service; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Internal Revenue Service is seeking a Pro Bono Support Attorney to oversee pro bono housing cases and mentor volunteer attorneys. The position requires a J.D. from an accredited law school and offers the opportunity to engage actively in legal advocacy for tenants facing housing issues. This hybrid role includes responsibilities in case management, recruitment of volunteers, and development of legal resources. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to diversity and an ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Requires J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Active D.C. Bar membership or eligibility to become active.
• Prior experience handling housing matters.

Responsibilities

• Oversees screening and placement of pro bono housing cases.
• Recruits and mobilizes pro bono attorneys for tenant representation.
• Provides training and resources to support housing projects.

Skills

Detail oriented

Excellent oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational abilities

Adaptability

Ability to handle sensitive information

Education

J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school

Active member of the D.C. Bar

Job description

The Pro Bono Support Attorney (Housing) oversees the screening, placement, and mentoring of full representation pro bono housing cases placed through the Advocacy & Justice Clinic and serves as a primary supervisor for the Landlord Tenant Resource Center (LTRC). The Attorney provides limited scope services to bridge the gap between referral and permanent placement with a pro bono attorney. The attorney will support and staff other projects that deliver legal information, advice, and representation, including, but not limited to the Advice & Referral Clinic.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports the Advocacy & Justice Clinic by reviewing housing intakes, placing housing cases with pro bono counsel, mentoring pro bono attorneys, tracking cases, and providing limited representation to clients.
• Recruits and mobilizes pro bono attorneys to represent tenants facing eviction and other housing issues in the District of Columbia.
• Delivers training and develops other resource materials.
• Works with housing staff, development staff, and others in drafting and reviewing housing grant proposals and maintaining grant compliance.
• Provides direct support to the Landlord Tenant Resource Center and works as part of the team to plan and administer the Advice & Referral Clinic, to include: providing on-site supervision and substantive support to volunteers and Pro Bono Center Program Specialists, overseeing administration and operation of pro bono clinic programs, formulating scope of legal problems to be covered, planning and directing volunteer trainings, preparing training materials, and recruiting trainers, screening and selecting cases for placement with pro bono attorneys, recruiting mentors and serving as primary mentor for volunteer attorneys, monitoring volunteer caseloads and developing periodic progress reports, evaluating effectiveness and continued relevance of each delivery model, serving as counsel in landlord & tenant and housing conditions matters.
• Plans and administers pro se assistance activities, including developing pro se reference materials and pleadings, using technology to deliver services, and serving as a resource on issues related to other delivery models.
• Identifies emerging issues, develops recommendations, and designs and implements new programs and projects.
• Oversees the work of volunteers, paralegals, law students and interns.
• Represents the PBC with the court, administrative agencies, other legal services providers, and community-based organizations.
• Assists in drafting and developing proposals, budgets, and other fundraising and outreach materials. Drafts reports, articles, memoranda, publications and resource materials.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Prior professional work experience, including experience handling housing matters in the District of Columbia.
• An active member of the D.C. Bar or eligible to become an active D.C. Bar member within two months of being hired.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends, as needed, for a variety of Pro Bono Center clinics and events.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be detail oriented and deadline driven. Able to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. Must work well in a team environment and be able to interact, including in-person, with Bar members, volunteers, vendors, the public and Pro Bono Center and Bar employees.
• Must work well under pressure, possess excellent organizational abilities, and able to manage several priorities in a day.
• Must be adaptable, creative, and self-motivated.
• Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience with a legal services organization that provides legal services to under-resourced individuals.
• Proficiency in Spanish or Amharic.

*** Please submit resume, cover letter, and two (2) writing samples.Applications without the required resume, cover letter, and two (2) writing samples will not be reviewed. ***

This position is currently a hybrid position, with days worked in the office and days worked remotely. The hybrid status of this position may change at any time subject to the Pro Bono Center’s discretion.

This is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position. Job duties may change over time based on Pro Bono Center needs.

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center is committed to providing qualified individuals with reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their jobs, pursuant to applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact Human Resources.

As part of the accommodation process, we will conduct an individualized interactive process and may ask you for additional information. Any final hiring decisions or start dates may be delayed while the accommodation review process is ongoing if the individual cannot begin work without the requested accommodation.