Probate & Estate Planning Staff Attorney

DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF) is rooted in the conviction that income should never be a barrier to justice. Founded in 2015 to close access to justice gaps in the District of Columbia, DCALF serves DC residents unable to afford market-based legal services, including modest-income residents just beyond traditional legal aid and those navigating unmet legal needs. Through innovative programming and equity, DCALF delivers no cost and low-cost legal services in family law, probate, estate planning, and immigration, bridging gaps in DC’s civil justice system and empowering DC residents to thrive.

Across the past decade, DCALF has solidified its role as a mainstay DC legal services organization with a staff of 30 and a strong network of institutional partners and pro bono volunteers. DCALF serves more than 500 clients annually and reaches hundreds more through community education and outreach across DC. DCALF’s award-winning annual fellowship programs expand access to justice, empowering recent law graduates to become skilled public interest attorneys and lifelong champions for justice.

Since its founding in 2015, DCALF has launched the careers of over 60 diverse public interest attorneys through its Signature LL.M. Fellowship Program, with partnerships with Georgetown University Law Center and the University of the District of Columbia David

A. Clarke School of Law.

The Probate & Estate Planning (PEP) Staff Attorney will focus on increasing access to justice in probate and estate planning matters. The Staff Attorney will engage in direct representation, advice, and advocacy on behalf of DCALF clients and community members. Direct representation includes representing personal representatives probating their loved ones’ estates and helping individuals draft proactive estate plans for incapacity and after death.

This role will also involve community outreach and education to expand awareness of probate and estate planning, mechanisms for avoiding heirs’ property and probate, and how effective planning benefits DC residents.

The PEP Staff Attorney will manage a full caseload and maintain timekeeping, data, and case files in line with organizational policies. In addition to casework and community outreach, the Staff Attorney will mentor fellows in DCALF’s 15-month post-graduate fellowship program, participate in all case rounds and staff meetings, follow and enhance organizational policies and procedures, and report to the Probate & Estate Planning Managing Attorney.

This job description is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions. Management reserves the right to revise the position or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

• J.D.;
  Licensed to practice law and in good standing in the District of Columbia;
• 2+ years’ experience post-J.D. in a judicial clerkship or in direct legal services, government, or private practice;
• Experience and comfort navigating issues of property, debt, and/or finances is preferred. Background in probate law or estate planning is preferred but not required;
• Dedication to access to justice;
• Emphasis on client-centered and trauma-informed advocacy;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people;
• Ability to work well under pressure, multitask, and adapt in a fast-paced environment;
• Strong organizational abilities with a detail-oriented and deadline-driven approach to work;
• Creativity in identifying and implementing solutions;
• Sound independent judgment and decision-making skills;
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and race equity;
• Willingness to reflect upon critical feedback;
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Excel;
• Community engagement and/or community education experience preferred;
• Spanish language proficiency (oral and written) a plus;
• DCALF uses Microsoft 365, including Outlook and SharePoint, Clio and Net Documents. Willingness to adopt and learn these core DCALF tech systems is required to be successful in this role.

This is a full-time salaried,…