Staff Attorney: One-Year Legal Fellowship Apply
We believe that a life free of violence and abuse is a basic human right. Our mission is:
- To ADVOCATE for domestic violence victims, at-risk children, and other vulnerable individuals through comprehensive pro bono legal services;
- To EMPOWER victims with knowledge, resources, and on-going support; and
- To BROADEN OUR IMPACT by engaging, training, and supporting a strong and diverse network of volunteer lawyers and community volunteers.
DC Volunteer Lawyers Project (DCVLP) was established in 2008 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. With the help of hundreds of well trained and supported volunteer lawyers, we provide free legal and support services to approximately 2,500 low income survivors of domestic violence, immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, and vulnerable children each year. In January 2023, we opened our first office outside of the District of Columbia in Montgomery County, Maryland. Working out of the Family Justice Center in Rockville, Maryland, we provide legal services to low incomes survivors of domestic violence in Montgomery County.
We are seeking qualified attorney applicants to join our skilled and passionate team. We are hiring a full-time Fellow in our Maryland office for a Fellowship named in honor of Roxana Cannon Arsht, the first woman judge in Delaware.
NOTE: The Arsht Fellowship specifically aims to recruit and empower candidates who are returning to the practice of law after taking time off. The Fellowship is for one year with the possibility of extending to a second year if funding permits and the Fellows performance supports the extension.
Please include information in your letter of intent about any applicable experiences or circumstances.
ABOUT YOU:
- You have experience working with victims of trauma and underserved communities.
- You learn quickly, absorb knowledge, and think critically and proactively to work independently.
- You have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- You are admitted to practice in Maryland or your Maryland Bar status is pending and you are currently admitted and in good standing in another jurisdiction.
- You are looking to return to the legal profession after a career break (strongly preferred).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Arsht Fellowship is a one-year legal fellowship. Working under the supervision of experienced DCVLP attorneys, the Fellow will provide direct representation to low income survivors of domestic violence in protective order and family law cases. Responsibilities may include staffing Domestic Violence Walk-In Legal Clinics. NOTE: This description is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Admitted to practice law in Maryland or eligible to waive in immediately.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations/trauma survivors.
- High energy, positive can-do attitude, with a high degree of initiative.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.
SALARY & BENEFITS:
The salary range for this position is $65,000. Employees receive 90% employer-paid health and dental insurance and vision insurance is also available. DCVLP sponsors a 403(b) retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution. DCVLP also provides a tax-free stipend of $75 each month for personal cell phone and Wi-Fi expenses. Employees receive generous paid time off 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. DCVLP has a positive work environment, with a focus on collaboration, empowerment, and service toward our clients and volunteers. DCVLP employees are also eligible to participate in the federal governments Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. For more information, see https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service. And DCVLP attorneys are eligible to participate in the DC Bar Foundations Loan Repayment Assistance Program. For more information, see www.dcbarfoundation.org/lrap.
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, predictable attendance onsite is required in our office in Montgomery County, Maryland.
- Ability to travel to local clinics and court venues as necessary.
- The work environment has moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, printers, and light traffic).
TO APPLY:
DCVLP 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@dcvlp.org.
