Managing Attorney

MANAGING ATTORNEY

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center has an immediate opening for a Managing Attorney. The Managing Attorney plans and oversees legal clinics and other projects for the Pro Bono Center to deliver pro bono legal information, advice and representation to low-income individuals in the District of Columbia. The Managing Attorney has substantive expertise in consumer and/or bankruptcy law. This position supervises a Program Specialist and Senior Administrative Assistant. The Managing Attorney reports to the Assistant Director, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manages and provides mentoring and coaching to the Program Specialist and Senior
Administrative Assistant. Supervises the work of volunteers, paralegals, law students,
and temporary part-time Advice & Referral Clinic staff.

2. Plans, administers and oversees several D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center projects that deliver
pro bono and pro se legal services, including the Consumer Law Resource Center, the
Bankruptcy Clinic and the Advice & Referral Clinic, to include:
a. Providing on-site supervision and support to volunteers and recruiting and screening volunteers and mentors.
b. Overseeing all aspects of administration and operation of clinic programs and quality control systems.
c. Formulating scope of legal problems to be covered.
d. Designing and implementing service delivery models to address unmet legal needs.
e. Planning and directing volunteer trainings, including preparation of training materials and recruitment of trainers.
f. Overseeing intake, screening and selection of cases for placement.
g. Monitoring volunteer caseloads and development of periodic progress reports.
h. Managing volunteer and client database.
i. Evaluating effectiveness and continued relevance of each delivery model.
j. Developing and administering budgets.

3. Coordinates with other Managing Attorneys to occasionally support the Landlord Tenant
Resource Center.

4. Collaborates with the Advocacy & Justice Clinic and other clinics and projects, including
mentoring pro bono attorneys on consumer and personal injury matters.

5. Identifies Court practices and procedures impacting unrepresented litigants in Small
Claims Court and the Civil Actions Branch and assists in developing and presenting
recommendations for improvements and new services.

6. Plans, administers and oversees pro se assistance activities, including developing pro se material, using technology to deliver services and serving as a resource on issues related to other delivery models.

7. Staffs and provides legal support to committees to identify emerging issues, develops recommendations and designs and implements new programs and projects to address those needs.

8. Serves as convener and resource for pro bono and public interest advocates.

9. As part of a team, assists in recruiting volunteer attorneys and law firms to participate in clinics and to provide pro bono legal services through the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center and other legal services providers.

10. Helps represent the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center in interactions with the court, administrative agencies, the private bar and other legal services providers and community-based organizations.

11. Drafts reports, articles, memoranda, publications and resource materials.

12. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. A J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school. A minimum of at least five years related professional work experience in positions of increasing responsibility.

2. An active member of the D.C. Bar.

3. Minimum of three years of active practice in D.C., including experience handling consumer law and/or bankruptcy matters. Housing, probate, torts, and/or employment law experience is a plus. Experience with a legal services organization that provides legal services to indigent individuals preferred.

4. Relevant supervisory experience required. Experience working with volunteers preferred.

5. One or more years of experience developing and administering programs.

6. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

7. Proficiency in Spanish or Amharic is a plus.

8. Ability to work well with Bar officers, volunteers, other staff and the public with minimal supervision.

9. Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Under the Bar’s compensation structure, this position is a grade 5. This is an exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience. The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center has an excellent benefits package.
This is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position. Job duties may change over time, based the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s needs.

Interested individuals must apply using the DC Bar Website. Please upload a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and salary requirements.