Supervising Attorney, Families Together

Childrens Law Center • Washington, DC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Families Together Supervising Attorney is the primary supervisor for the program and is responsible for training, supervising, developing, and evaluating supervisees. The attorney ensures that staff provide high-quality, culturally humble, trauma-informed representation and services. Supervisory work includes regular availability to staff, attending hearings, reviewing pleadings and other written work, participating in trial preparation, providing timely feedback, and ensuring compliance with program and organizational policies. The role also includes regular consultation with program leadership about case issues, supervision and mentoring, staff development, innovation, and evaluation.

Alongside supervisory responsibilities, the attorney maintains a reduced caseload based on program needs, handles intake and brief legal services, mentors and trains pro bono attorneys, supports program partnerships, and leads assigned projects. The position contributes to program and organizational leadership, casework and service-delivery improvements, systemic advocacy, legal trainings, and evaluation efforts. Families Together assists pregnant people, parents, and caregivers in pursuing family goals and reducing risks of child welfare involvement, and may represent children's best interests in contested custody disputes.

Requirements

• J.D. and D.C. Bar membership, or immediate eligibility for admission without examination.
• At least two years of experience providing legal services in DC family law matters, including custody, child support, guardianship, adoption, and/or guardian ad litem representation in custody cases.
• At least two years of experience working in a legal services setting and providing legal services in at least one of these areas: special education, housing, public benefits, child welfare, or related fields; experience may overlap with the family-law experience requirement.
• Prior litigation experience.
• Commitment to inclusivity and equity, and humility when working with clients and colleagues across identities and life experiences.

Nice To Haves

• One to two years of attorney supervision experience, including formal or informal supervision and/or formal mentoring.
• Fluency in English and Spanish and ability to provide legal services, including written materials, to clients.
• Willingness and ability to provide client-centered legal services and supportive supervision.
• Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.
• Strong legal skills and knowledge, self-reflection, cultural humility, and leadership skills.
• Strong litigation, legal analysis, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, oral and written communication, time-management, and teaching skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Current knowledge of District laws and legal systems, and federal law where appropriate, in areas affecting low-income and marginalized communities.
• Ability to proactively identify issues and find creative solutions when facing obstacles.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular supervision meetings to develop case strategies and ensure high-quality representation and services.
• Meet with Families Together program leadership to review cases, supervision practices, staff development, and performance.
• Ensure attorneys identify and refer appropriate matters to the Appellate Team under the Targeted Appellate Strategy Issue List.
• Ensure compliance with case planning, litigation, timekeeping, client contact, supervision, data collection, intake, case-handling, and timeline requirements.
• Accompany new staff attorneys to court during their first three months and thereafter as requested or judged necessary.
• Review new staff attorneys’ written work during their first six months and as needed afterward; provide feedback on advocacy, court appearances, written materials, and trial preparation.
• Lead litigation meetings for supervisees.
• Support supervisees’ professional development, goal-setting, promotion readiness, performance improvement, and accountability.
• Interview, hire, train, evaluate, and manage staff, including handling discipline and termination in accordance with organizational policy.
• Identify and elevate staff morale, culture, and program or organizational issues, and help strengthen a positive work culture.
• Attend and facilitate program and organization meetings, conduct trainings, and prepare training materials as assigned.
• Work with program leadership to promote shared vision and values, communicate program initiatives, and coordinate with other CLC teams and legal services programs.
• Maintain expertise in relevant legal areas, including custody, guardianship, adoption, guardian ad litem representation in custody cases, and related areas such as housing, special education, and public benefits.
• Help develop and implement legal strategies, program evaluation, innovation, and improvements in casework, supervision, training, and service delivery.
• Support program systems, external partnerships, grant-related work, program initiatives, legal intake, case assignment, and workload planning.
• Maintain a reduced caseload and provide culturally humble, trauma-informed legal representation, intake support, brief advice, brief services, and referrals.
• Enter case information into LegalServer accurately and on time.
• Mentor pro bono volunteer attorneys and develop and deliver pro bono trainings as assigned.
• Support the Policy team, participate in community advocate meetings, collaborate with legal services providers and advocates, and serve on court or external committees as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Employer-provided retirement contributions
• Flexible spending plans
• Vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for employees with federal student loan debt
• Potential eligibility for the DC Bar Foundation Loan Repayment Assistance Program, offering qualified Children’s Law Center attorneys renewable one-year, interest-free, forgivable loans of up to $12,000 per year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree