Probate & Estate Planning Supervising Attorney

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.

DCALF’s Probate & Estate Planning (“PEP”) practice focuses on increasing access to justice in probate and estate planning matters. DCALF’s PEP attorneys 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. DCALF attorneys also engage in 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.

Position Overview

DCALF seeks a Probate & Estate Planning Supervising Attorney who is enthusiastic about helping lead our Probate & Estate Planning practice, bolstering the work of our 25-person legal team, supporting our equity initiatives, and fostering innovative approaches to enhance the impact and evolution of our growing organization. The Supervising Attorney will demonstrate a commitment to stewarding the growth and professional development of recent law graduates as they enter the legal profession while ensuring delivery of high-quality legal services. They will work in partnership with DCALF’s leadership to drive an equitable, open, collaborative work environment, legal operations, and case management practices.

The Supervising Attorney will work as a front-line supervisor in DCALF’s Probate & Estate Planning practice, and guide attorneys at regular case review meetings, provide feedback to supervisees on case strategy, filings, and other work product, and co-counsel cases as appropriate. The Supervising Attorney will model and advance client-centered practices. They will also support fellows and staff attorneys on their Probate & Estate Planning law and overall caseload management and performing legal consultations and screenings. The Supervising Attorney will be responsible for administrative and management tasks including ensuring timekeeping and compliance with case management and recordkeeping. The Supervising Attorney will report to the Probate & Estate Planning Managing Attorney.

Responsibilities

Supervision

• Help lead DCALF’s Probate & Estate Planning law This will include direct supervision of fellows, staff attorneys, and other legal team members, based on organizational need.
• Provide active engagement, guidance, and feedback in all phases of estate administration and estate planning cases.
• Assess staff capacity and contribute to decisions around allocation of work.
• Provide case management and case planning support.
• Demonstrate and counsel supervisees on effective time management. Implement and ensure compliance with DCALF’s evolving policies and procedures.
• Identify and assist with resolving potential ethical issues as they arise.
• Deliver and receive feedback to/from staff.
• Monitor developments in Probate & Estate Planning law and disseminate information to Probate & Estate Planning case handlers for integration into practice.

Organizational Leadership & Administration

• Assist organization with drafting, implementing, and upholding new and existing policies and best practices.
• Foster growth of an inclusive and equitable workplace.
• Monitor and enhance compliance with case management and data entry requirements. Maintain and track internal data.
• Lead regular Probate & Estate Planning or general practice case rounds. Assist with and lead other internal and external trainings, as needed.
• Ensure staff concerns and questions are communicated to the Leadership Team.
• Serve as a DCALF representative for external stakeholder meetings, as needed.
• Assist with Probate & Estate Planning pro bono work and pro bono mentoring, as needed.

Personal Workload

• Maintain a modest Probate & Estate Planning caseload, and co-counsel cases as necessary.
• Participate in regular meetings with the Probate & Estate Planning Managing Attorney to review case progress and assess staff/fellow professional development.
• Engage in regular trainings and community events to advance substantive and supervision skills, equity initiatives, and knowledge of community legal resources.

Development

• As necessary, assist in drafting grant reports and reviewing data for grant applications.
• Assist in drafting grant applications and with grant reporting, as needed.
• Participate in brainstorming ideas for future grants, fundraising, social media, and DCALF growth.

Qualifications

• Membership or eligibility for membership in the District of Columbia Bar required.
• Minimum three years’ experience practicing law in legal services, government, or private practice setting required;
• Experience and comfort navigating issues of property, debt, and/or finances. A background in probate law or estate planning is strongly preferred but not required;
• Minimum one year of prior supervisory experience required;
• Experience in DC Superior Court preferred;
• Dedication to access to justice;
• Leadership and decision-making skills;
• Ability to foster strong collaborative relationships with clients, colleagues, partner organizations, and other constituents;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Strong time-management and organization skills;
• 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.

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 the DCALF 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.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time salaried, non-exempt position. The starting salary for a candidate with one year of prior supervisory experience is $79,310, with increases to the starting salary based on prior years of supervisory experience.

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.

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 fluency required