Returning Citizens Project Staff Attorney

Position Announcement: Returning Citizens Project Staff Attorney

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with low incomes dealing with the often devastating consequences of abusive debt collection practices and other consumer related issues, like credit reporting, identity theft, and predatory lending. We carry out that mission with the goal of addressing racial gaps in wealth and equality. We are likewise committed to actively countering bias, prejudice, and racism, and to creating and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our own organization.

Tzedek DC provides direct legal and financial counseling services for DC residents with debt issues, advocates for fairer policies nationally and in the District of Columbia, and conducts community-based, bilingual financial empowerment programs. Tzedek DC has been consistently recognized as “one of the best” nonprofits in the Greater Washington region by the Catalogue for Philanthropy.

Tzedek DC’s Returning Citizens Project focuses on serving DC residents who have been impacted by the criminal legal system and are facing debt and consumer problems. Returning citizens face unique barriers in the reentry process, including debt and consumer-related barriers. We are hiring one Returning Citizens Project Staff Attorney to start as early as September 2026. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, bilingual and bicultural people, people from immigrant communities, people with disabilities, people of all genders, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and multi-marginalized community members.

Position Tasks & Duties

The position will include the following tasks and duties:

• Representing returning citizens and other individuals in debt collection and consumer rights litigation and related matters
• Advising returning citizens and other individuals on consumer and debt issues (such as scams, fraud and identity theft; bankruptcy; student loans; rights under the Fair Criminal Record Screening Amendment Act; and more.)
• Drafting motions, pleadings, declarations, memoranda, and other legal documents or letters to support clients in litigation or pre-litigation
• Communicating and negotiating with opposing counsel during various points or pre-litigation and litigation
• Providing trauma-informed direct legal services, including performing intakes and handling a caseload
• Conducting outreach and education activities, including attending events for returning citizens and partnering with local organizations to offer financial education workshops for returning citizens and visiting jails, prisons, or halfway houses
• Providing referrals, and partnering with pro bono volunteers
• Contributing to Tzedek DC’s programmatic reporting
• Attending coalition group meetings on behalf of Tzedek DC
• Helping shape and supporting Tzedek DC’s policy work, particularly on issues relevant for returning citizens and those impacted by the criminal legal system

This position will require travel around the District of Columbia. It will require little to no travel outside of the DC region. Currently, most Tzedek DC staff work a hybrid schedule with three days per week from home and two days per week in the office (either at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law or at our Navy Yard location). This role might also have in-day offices on site at partner organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• 1-10+ years’ legal experience, including experience in direct legal services for clients with low incomes (Law school clinic, externship, summer, or other relevant practice experience during law school will be considered.)
• A demonstrated interest in racial justice and justice for those impacted by the criminal legal system.
• Diverse backgrounds and experiences are a strength in engaging with Tzedek DC’s client communities. We encourage members of marginalized communities and multi-marginalized individuals to apply for this position.
• Experience with the criminal legal system and/or previous experience representing returning citizens or incarcerated persons is a plus.
• Experience in financial literacy work is a plus.
• Spanish language skills or knowledge and/or lived experience as a member of the Latino / Hispanic community are also a plus.
• A demonstrated commitment to public interest work, particularly civil legal services, including but not limited to consumer matters.
• A commitment to serving clients with low incomes.
• Strong academic performance, including excellent research and writing skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• An ability to provide victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally competent legal assistance to returning citizens and others.
• An ability to work collaboratively in a variety of contexts and with multiple organizations to facilitate comprehensive services, but also an ability to work independently.
• A combination of organizational, substantive, and relationship-building skills, flexibility, and a sense of humor to thrive in a fluid environment.
• Admission to the DC bar or eligibility to waive in.

Salary and Other Support

The salary range for this position is $68,000-$100,000. Tzedek DC also offers competitive benefits including a generous leave package, full payment of health care premiums, dental insurance, long term disability, group life insurance, and a 403b plan with automatic contributions by Tzedek DC after a year of service. This position is also eligible to seek student loan repayment assistance and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Application Instructions

The application should include:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Name and contact information for two references
4. A relevant and substantive writing sample of original work product of no more than 5 pages in length

Application materials and any questions, including application accommodation requests, should be directed by email only to:

ah@tzedekdc.org

Vaccination Requirement: As a grantee of the DC government per the Mayor's Order 2021-099, we are required to confirm the vaccination status of all employees who might at any point be in person with us or the public. As a potential employee whose role may include contact with the public or other office members, please let us know if you are vaccinated and have received a booster or if you are making an accommodation request to be exempted from the vaccination requirement for a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief.

Prioritizing Access and Inclusion: If you require accommodations or have any access needs that you want to make sure are met during any part of this application and hiring process, please reach out to us at ah@tzedekdc.org.

Statistics frequently show that women, LBTQIA+, BIPOC, and disabled people, as well as people in other marginalized groups, apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Tzedek DC encourages you to break that statistic and apply anyway. (Note: Lived experience managing your own legal concerns related to any of the above counts as experience too.) We look forward to your application.

TZEDEK DC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is the policy of the Tzedek DC that no employee or applicant for employment or services will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, family responsibilities or family status, veteran’s status, or any other basis prohibited by law, including the D.C. Human Rights Act and Language Access Act.

Salary and Other Support

The salary range for this position is $68,000-$100,000. Tzedek DC also offers competitive benefits including a generous leave package, full payment of health care premiums, dental insurance, long term disability, group life insurance, and a 403b plan with automatic contributions by Tzedek DC after a year of service. This position is also eligible to seek student loan repayment assistance and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.