Staff Attorney, Family Law

Job Description

Who We Are

Children’s Law Center is a mission-driven organization focused on providing high-quality legal services to children and families in DC. As an organization, we envision a world in which all children have a strong foundation of family, health and education and are free from poverty, trauma, racism and other forms of oppression. Our mission is to do this work together with DC children and families, Children’s Law Center uses the law to solve children’s urgent problems today, improve the systems that will affect their lives tomorrow and strengthen our community so that change endures. A key part of our mission is to challenge and reduce ways in which racism and other biases – structural and interpersonal – prevent each of us, our organization and the systems in which we work from providing children a strong foundation from which to thrive.

Our greatest assets are our people. We recognize that people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives fuel our ability to provide the best outcomes for our clients and our community. Staff members at Children’s Law Center advance the organization’s mission through their leadership, result-orientated mindset and commitment to cultural humility. We are looking for individuals who like to be challenged to grow both personally and professionally and value the opportunity to make a difference in their community. Children's Law Center's continued success depends on recruiting and retaining individuals who possess and exemplify these attributes. Program Description

The Pro Bono Program at Children’s Law Center (CLC) consists of our in-house family law practice as well as our volunteer attorney program that places family law, housing conditions and special education cases with volunteers. CLC’s family law attorneys provide direct representation in DC family law matters, which includes representing the best interests of children in contested custody cases and representing third-party caregivers in custody, adoption and guardianship cases. Through our pro bono volunteer program, we work with more than 100 law firms and other pro bono partners on family, housing and education matters, extending our reach in the community to serve more DC families and increase access to justice.Job Summary

The primary responsibility of the Family Law Staff Attorney is to provide high-quality, culturally humble and trauma-informed representation for third-party caregivers and as guardian ad litem in contested custody matters. Most matters are heard in the Domestic Relations Branch of DC Superior Court, where 83-93% of family law litigants are unrepresented and cannot afford an attorney. In third-party caregiver matters, the Staff Attorney represents third-party caregivers seeking to provide DC children with ongoing care and stable homes when their parents are unable to do so. The Staff Attorney represents caregivers in custody, guardianship and adoption cases. Additionally, there is an extremely high need for guardians ad litem to represent and advocate for the best interests of children in complex and high-conflict custody cases. Domestic Relations Branch judges refer cases to CLC, and the Staff Attorney serves as the court-appointed guardian ad litem, advocating for a custodial arrangement that is in the child’s best interest.

In addition to carrying a caseload, the Staff Attorney completes other tasks and projects as assigned, including intakes, brief legal assistance, onboarding and supervision of law clerks and interns, and training and mentorship for volunteer attorneys. This position has an established career path with the potential for promotion to a Senior Attorney. Role ResponsibilitiesCase Handling: Advocacy

Carry a caseload of approximately 20 to 25 cases, providing high-quality, culturally humble, trauma-informed representation as guardian ad litem in custody matters and representing third-party caregivers in custody, adoption and guardianship matters in DC Superior Court.

Zealously advocate for clients in all cases through reflective case planning, thorough investigation and high-quality litigation to achieve positive client outcomes.

Attend all court dates and timely file all appropriate pleadings. Case Handling: Policy and Protocol Adherence

Adhere to program policies and protocols, including case planning notes, litigation protocol, case notes and timekeeping policy and client visitation and contact protocol to achieve positive outcomes for clients outlined in program logic models.

Ensure timely and accurate input of case information into case management system. CLC policy requires a minimum of 30 hours to be entered weekly. Case Handling: Supervision

Attend and actively participate in regular supervision with supervisor to review and brainstorm case strategies, keep supervisor informed and ensure quality of representation.

Provide written materials to supervisor for feedback.

Immediately report any impending or actual difficulty in fulfilling obligations to clients or CLC to minimize adverse consequences for clients or the organization.

Identify and elevate Targeted Appellate Strategy Issue List cases to supervisor and Appellate Team. Professional Development

Work with supervisor to set annual goals to direct professional development.

Exchange positive and constructive feedback with supervisor.

Formulate plans to achieve annual goals and incorporate feedback from supervisory staff to improve or enhance performance by utilizing strengths and addressing challenges.

Participate in goals reviews and year-end evaluation process. Caregiver Intakes, Referrals, and Brief Advice or Service

Support and handle caregiver intakes as assigned to determine whether CLC can assist a potential client with a family law issue.

Enter intake information into case management system and conduct intakes according to program guidelines.

Provide caregivers with brief advice, brief service and/or referrals as assigned.

Conduct legal research and/or identify other community resources as needed.

Develop or update outreach and education materials as assigned to improve the efficacy and timeliness of legal service delivery to client community. Volunteer Support

Participate in hiring, onboarding and supervision of law clerk and intern staff as assigned.

Develop and conduct volunteer attorney trainings as assigned.

Develop or update volunteer attorney training materials as assigned.

With experience, develop skills and capacity to mentor volunteer attorneys handling caregiver and guardian ad litem cases. Evaluation and Data Management Activities

Ensure timely and accurate input of case and intake information into case management system and adhere to applicable policies and protocols to support learning and positive outcomes for clients.

Maintain accurate, timely data entry for non-case-related activities including but not limited to trainings and volunteer attorney mentoring. Learning and Systemic Advocacy

Attend and participate in all Pro Bono Program team meetings, CLC attorney and staff meetings and other internal committees and working groups as requested by the Pro Bono Director.

Provide support to CLC’s Policy Team in areas of expertise to address the systemic needs of CLC’s client community.

Participate or attend external committees as needed and requested by the Pro Bono Director. Qualifications

A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.

Strong legal analysis, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.

Demonstrated by: law school clinic experience, judicial clerkships, research positions, and/or law school awards for moot court or oral advocacy.

Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Demonstrated capacity to work independently and collaboratively.

Demonstrated capacity to proactively address obstacles and identify creative solutions.

Strong independent judgment and decision-making skills.

Experience with family law cases, specifically in custody, adoption and guardianship matters preferred.

Experience working with children and families with limited financial resources preferred.

Post-JD experience in legal services or other community lawyering preferred.

Post-JD litigation experience preferred.

Two-three years’ experience post-JD preferred.

Experience mentoring or teaching preferred.

Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills a plus.Required Skills and Experience

JD degree.

DC Bar membership or eligibility for DC Bar membership based the transfer of a Uniform Bar Examination score attained in another jurisdiction or membership in good standing in the Bar of another jurisdiction for at least 3 years immediately prior to the application for admission.

Experience in legal services or other community lawyering. Experience that will be considered includes job experience, law school clinics, clerkships, and internships.

Commitment to equity, inclusion, and humility when working with clients and colleagues at the intersection of multiple identities, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigration status, religion, physical and mental disability, and/or limited English proficiency.Organizational Competencies

Cultural Humility – an openness to self-reflection and to understanding and respecting other cultural experiences and points of view and viewing individuals as experts in their own culture and experiences.

Giving and Receiving Feedback – the ability to be self-reflective, give and receive appreciative, coaching, constructive, interpersonal and evaluative feedback.

Conflict Management – a process which is designed to guide individuals and groups from the moment of conflict to the implementation of an identified solution. This process incorporates skills and techniques, including recognizing points of conflict, identifying the facts and feelings involved to get to the root of the issue, investigating equitable solutions, implementing and evaluating solutions, and supporting and guiding others throughout the process.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this position ranges from $66,000 - $76,512 annually for applicants with 0-5 years’ relevant experience. Children’s Law Center offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and short- and long-term disability insurance; employer-provided retirement contributions; flexible spending plans; and vacation, sick, holiday, family and medical leave. Children’s Law Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. Employees with federal student loan debt can apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. For more information, go to

Additionally, the DC Bar Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program provides renewable one-year, interest-free, forgivable loans up to $12,000 per year for qualified Children’s Law Center attorneys. For more information, see https:/dcbarfoundation.org/lrap/.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a resume as PDF file via CLC's careers page (

Children’s Law Center is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. If you believe that you need accommodation to search for, or apply for, one of our positions please send an email to . In your email, please include the accommodation you are requesting and the job title you are applying for. It may take up to three business days to receive a response to your request.

Hybrid Working Conditions

Children’s Law Center is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule. Employees are required to work in-person from Children’s Law Center’s office a minimum of two days per week. At least one of these days must be either Tuesday or Wednesday. The hybrid work schedule is subject to change based on organizational needs and/or best practices for health and safety. Hybrid work expectations may vary depending upon role responsibilities.

Background Checks

Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment will be subject to a background check.

EEO

Children’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and existing employees. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to ancestry, age, color, disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our company and our career opportunities (

DEI Statement

Children’s Law Center is dedicated to building a world that is inclusive in approach and has equal opportunities and equitable outcomes for all. Our organization is committed to developing and supporting a robustly diverse, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist community, where all members can create and feel a sense of belonging. Through our collective deliberate efforts, we work toward racial and social justice for children and families in DC.