Staff Attorney, Probate & Estate Planning

DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF) is rooted in the conviction that income should never be a barrier to justice. Founded in 2015 to help close access to justice gaps in the District of Columbia, DCALF serves an expansive range of hardworking DC residents unable to afford market-based legal services, including modest-income residents whose household incomes put them just beyond the limits of traditional legal aid and low-income residents navigating unmet legal needs. Through innovative programming and a commitment to equity, DCALF delivers no cost and low-cost legal services in family law, probate, estate planning, and immigration, bridging the gaps in DC’s civil justice system and delivering transformative legal services that empower 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, reaching hundreds more through community education and outreach across DC. DCALF’s award-winning annual fellowship programs play an essential role in expanding 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 passionate, diverse public interest attorneys through its Signature LL.M. Fellowship Program, thanks to enduring partnerships with Georgetown University Law Center and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.

Position Overview

The Probate & Estate Planning (PEP) Staff Attorney will focus on increasing access to justice in probate and estate planning matters. The PEP Staff Attorney will engage in direct representation, advice, and advocacy on behalf of DCALF clients and community members. The direct representation of clients primarily includes representing personal representatives probating their loved one's estates and helping individuals draft proactive estate plans for their incapacity and after death. This position will also involve community outreach and education to expand awareness of our probate and estate planning, mechanisms for avoiding heirs’ property and probate, and how effective planning can benefit DC residents.

In addition to direct legal services and community outreach, the Staff Attorney will provide informal mentorship and support to DCALF fellows working on probate and estate planning matters. The Staff Attorney will collaborate with colleagues across the organization, participate in case rounds and team meetings, and support the effective delivery of services within the Probate & Estate Planning practice. This position reports to the Probate & Estate Planning Managing Attorney.

Key Responsibilities

Client Representation, Advocacy & Community Engagement

• Represent personal representatives probating their loved one’s estates.
• Draft proactive estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and guardianship designations, tailored to meet client needs and goals.
• Counsel clients in probate and estate planning cases using clear, accessible, and client-centered communication.
• Conduct community outreach and education to expand awareness of probate and estate planning services and tools to avoid heirs’ property issues, in collaboration with community partners.
• Maintain accurate timekeeping, data entry, and case files in compliance with organizational policies and grant requirements.

Qualifications

• J.D.; Licensed to practice law and in good standing in the District of Columbia;
• 2+ years experience in probate and/or estate planning (this may include work as a paralegal);
• 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 required;
• Community engagement and/or community education experience preferred;
• Spanish language proficiency (oral and written) a plus.
• DCALF uses Microsoft 365, including Outlook and SharePoint, and Clio and NetDocuments. As such, the willingness to adopt and, if necessary, learn these and other core DCALF tech systems are required to be successful in this role.

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

Work Environment

DCALF is currently working in a hybrid remote/in-person model. Due to the responsibilities of this position, the ability to travel to the office and DC Superior Court with ease and regularity is required, as well as working a minimum of two days per week in DCALF’s office, consistent with DCALF policies and client or work demands. Despite the opportunity to work remotely, the selected candidate for this position must maintain residence in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia for the duration of DCALF employment.

DCALF offers the following benefits:

• 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match.
• Medical insurance and elective dental and vision insurance options.
• Generous paid leave, including vacation, sick, and personal days, winter break closure (Christmas Day to New Year’s Day), Thanksgiving break, and all Federal and local DC holidays.
• Paid parental/family leave through the DC Paid Family Leave Program.
• Ongoing training opportunities.

In addition, this position is eligible for DCALF’s Spanish Language stipend of $2,500 annually for a candidate with a demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.

Through employment with DCALF, attorneys may also be eligible for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) offered through the DC Bar Foundation (DCBF). The DCBF’s LRAP provides one-year, interest-free, forgivable loans of up to $12,000 per year to qualified attorneys.

English language proficiency required (oral and written); Spanish language proficiency (oral and written) a plus