Staff Attorney

QT SEEKS A FULL TIME STAFF ATTORNEY

Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities (QT) (www.DCQualityTrust.org) is a non-profit advocacy organization that has been advancing the interests of D.C. residents with disabilities since 2002 through its legal, lay advocacy, and monitoring programs. QT’s vision is a community where everyone is respected, belongs, contributes, is valued and shapes his or her own present and future. QT leads the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making (www.SupportedDecisionMaking.org).

QT’s Legal Advocacy and Education (LAE) Program provides legal services to D.C. residents with developmental disabilities and their families on issues including capacity, consent, alternatives to guardianship, and the right to self-determination; community integration; living life free from abuse and neglect; and accessing public benefits and services. Through its Jenny Hatch Justice Project (www.JennyHatchJustice.org), QT also provides legal services to qualifying low-income D.C. residents who are in or at risk of overbroad or undue adult guardianship or who want help implementing alternatives and advance planning options. QT works on systemic issues, including legislative and administrative reform, to promote decision-making and other rights of people with disabilities. It also provides education, training, and support on topics including Supported Decision-Making and other alternatives to guardianship, education, school-to-adult transition planning, employment, and public benefits.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Staff Attorney will be a member of the QT LAE Program team. Work may include:

• Provide direct legal assistance to people with developmental disabilities seeking to exercise their self-determination and access decision-making supports, as well as those facing disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act and seeking transition services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This may include preparation of supported decision-making agreements, powers of attorney, and other decision-making agreements; representation in probate court to prevent or terminate guardianships; securing accommodations in employment, housing, or public accommodations; and advocating at individualized education program (IEP) meetings or special education due process hearings.
• Conduct intakes and provide legal information, advice, and referrals to people with developmental disabilities, their families, and professionals seeking assistance on a wide range of legal issues.
• Provide education, training, and technical assistance to people with developmental disabilities, family members, advocates, attorneys, professionals, and others regarding legal issues relevant to people with developmental disabilities.
• Develop resources and educational materials to support access to quality legal representation for people with developmental disabilities.
• Conduct legal research and submit comments or provide testimony on relevant disability laws, regulations, policies, and other legal reform efforts to advocate for systemic improvements to services and supports for people with developmental disabilities.
• Represent Quality Trust at relevant governmental agency and community stakeholder meetings, workgroups, and committees.
• Coordinate with development staff to draft grant applications and complete grant reports that support funding of Quality Trust’s legal advocacy efforts and implement grant deliverables with regular reporting to the Chief Executive Officer regarding advocacy outcomes.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive Officer on priority setting, legal team infrastructure, and program direction.
• Other duties, as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. from an Accredited Law School and DC Bar Membership, or eligibility to waive into DC, required; MD Bar Membership a plus.
• Minimum 1-3 years of experience; experience working in DC preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest work and disability rights.
• Excellent writing, analytic, research, and communication skills, including the ability to quickly produce well-written legal, policy, and educational materials.
• Comfort and skill in presenting complicated information to a diverse audience, ranging from government officials to attorneys to people with developmental disabilities and their families. Public speaking and facilitation experience preferred.Clinical or litigation experience on behalf of low-income or people with disabilities preferred.
• Spanish fluency preferred.

QT HIRING POLICY

QT is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, genetic status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law.