Supervising Attorney, Families Together

Childrens Law Center•Washington, DC

2d•$82,005 - $102,302•Hybrid

About The Position

The Families Together Supervising Attorney at Children’s Law Center provides primary supervision for staff attorneys, supporting their training, professional development, and performance while ensuring high-quality, culturally humble, and trauma-informed legal representation. The role includes regular supervision meetings, court attendance, review of pleadings and other written work, trial-preparation support, timely feedback, and ensuring compliance with program and organizational policies. The Supervising Attorney also meets with program leadership to discuss cases, supervision and mentoring, professional development, innovation, and evaluation. Alongside supervisory responsibilities, the position maintains a reduced caseload, supports intakes, provides brief advice and services, mentors and trains volunteer pro bono attorneys, supports program partnerships, and leads assigned projects. The role contributes to program leadership, casework and service-delivery improvement, systemic advocacy, and collaboration with internal teams and community partners. Children’s Law Center operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring employees to work in the office at least two days per week, including Tuesday or Wednesday.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree 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; experience may overlap with the other experience requirement.
At least two years of experience in a legal services setting providing services in special education, housing, public benefits, child welfare, or a related field; experience may overlap with the family-law experience requirement.
Prior litigation experience.
Commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity, and humility when working with clients and colleagues across multiple identities and life experiences.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of attorney supervision experience, including formal or informal supervision or 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.
Combination of strong legal knowledge and skills, self-reflection, cultural humility, and leadership skills.
Strong litigation, legal analysis, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
Strong organizational, analytical, 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 identify issues proactively and develop creative solutions to obstacles.

Responsibilities

Conduct regular supervision meetings with supervisees to develop case strategies and support quality representation and services.
Meet with Families Together program leadership to discuss cases, supervision practices, professional development, and performance.
Ensure attorneys identify and refer appropriate cases to the Appellate Team.
Ensure compliance with organizational and program policies, protocols, data-collection requirements, and case and intake timelines.
Accompany supervisees to court during their first three months and thereafter as requested or needed; review new staff members’ written work during their first six months and as needed thereafter.
Provide feedback on advocacy, court appearances, written materials, and trial preparation, and lead litigation meetings for supervisees.
Support professional development through goal-setting, reviews, coaching, feedback, and plans to address performance challenges.
Interview, hire, train, evaluate, and manage staff, including addressing discipline and termination in accordance with policy and partnering with leadership and HR on personnel matters.
Attend and facilitate program and organization meetings, lead assigned activities, and conduct trainings or prepare training materials.
Work with program leadership to support shared program vision, communication, coordination, and high-quality culturally humble and trauma-informed services.
Maintain expertise in relevant legal issue areas and help develop and implement legal strategies, program improvements, and evaluation efforts.
Support program systems, external partnerships, grant work, and other initiatives; participate in intake, case assignment, and workload planning.
Maintain a reduced caseload and provide legal representation, intake support, brief advice, brief services, and referrals.
Enter case information accurately and on time in LegalServer.
Mentor pro bono volunteer attorneys and develop or conduct pro bono trainings as assigned.
Support the Policy team, participate in community advocate meetings, collaborate with legal services providers and advocates, and serve on external committees as requested.
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 leave
Sick leave
Holiday leave
Family and medical leave
Sign-on bonus for employees hired into the role who are proficient in Spanish
Employees with federal student loan debt may apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Qualified attorneys may be eligible for the DC Bar Foundation Loan Repayment Assistance Program, with renewable one-year, interest-free, forgivable loans up to $12,000 per year