Roxana Cannon Arsht Law Fellowship

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.

Since 2008, DC Volunteer Lawyers Project (DCVLP) has provided free legal services to thousands of survivors of domestic violence, vulnerable children, and immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. To broaden our reach, we recruit, train, and support hundreds of dedicated volunteer attorneys each year. In our Domestic Violence Program, we represent survivors of domestic violence, including victims of dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and gender-based violence. We are committed to providing trauma-informed legal services that address the comprehensive needs of our clients. Our attorneys, volunteers, and advocates help clients achieve long-term safety and stability by connecting survivors and at-risk children to our community partners for assistance during and beyond the closing of their case.

In 2023, over 600 volunteer lawyers contributed approximately 48,000 pro bono hours, worth $18 million in free legal services. More information is available at https://www.dcvlp.org/.

We are seeking qualified attorney applicants to join our skilled and passionate team. We are hiring a full-time Fellow 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. Please include information in your letter of intent about any applicable experiences or circumstances.

WHY YOU WANT THIS JOB:

• You believe that a life free from violence and abuse is a basic human right.
• You are looking for a job that matters.
• You are looking to return to the legal profession after a career break (strongly preferred).
• You have experience working with victims of trauma and underserved communities living in poverty.
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• You are admitted to practice in the District of Columbia or your DC Bar status is pending and you are currently admitted and in good standing in another jurisdiction.
• You are able to work virtually, but you understand that onsite attendance at our various community clinics and in our D.C. office may be required as is necessary to carry out your duties will be required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Arsht Fellowship is a two-year fellowship where the fellow will work under the supervision of experienced DCVLP attorneys with a goal of working independently while supported by DCVLP supervisors. The Fellow will provide survivors of domestic violence with legal consultations and in court legal representation regarding protection order cases, family law matters, and crime victims’ rights. The fellow will also staff DCVLP community legal clinics. NOTE: This description is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position as it is recognized that job duties may change over time, based on DCVLP’s needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
• Active DC Bar membership or ability to become an active DC Bar member prior to first day of employment.
• You have demonstrated commitment to working with vulnerable populations and you want to use your law degree to provide marginalized individuals with access to high quality legal services.
• Superlative interpersonal skills and ability to develop good working relationships with clients, staff, volunteers, and members of local legal services and domestic violence coalitions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

DCVLP has a positive and supportive work environment with an intentional focus on recruiting, nurturing, and retaining a talented and diverse staff. We prioritize a healthy work-life balance. The salary 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 employees are also eligible to participate in the federal government’s 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 Foundation’s 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 attendance at DCVLP’s office, community clinics, and DC Superior Court hearings are required.
• Ability to travel to court venues and community locations.
• 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.