ABOUT THE WASHINGTON LAWYERS’ COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND URBAN AFFAIRS

 The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs works to create legal, economic, and social equity through litigation, client and public education, and public policy advocacy with a primary focus on racial justice. For the last 50 years, the Committee has been on the cutting edge of civil rights advocacy in the region bringing precedent setting litigation to address discrimination. Our work focuses on injustices in housing, employment, the criminal legal system, education, public accommodations, and civil rights of immigrants. We partner with individuals and communities facing discrimination and with the legal community to achieve justice. For more information on the Washington Lawyers’ Committee, visit www.washlaw.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

The importance of fair and equitable housing and fair treatment in the job market has never been more clear. Racial discrimination, unsafe conditions, and historical inequity are creating and sustaining injustice. The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs is seeking a dynamic leader for our work addressing these issues.

The Committee has an active workers’ rights and fair housing docket. It also pursues community-building efforts and a public policy agenda to address the needs of people of color in the Washington, DC metro area.  In our Fair Housing practice, our team brings individual and class action litigation to reduce residential segregation, address racial and other forms of housing discrimination, further housing choice, protect tenants’ right to organize, and address dangerous housing conditions.

In our Workers’ Rights practice, our Workers’ Rights Clinic assists low-income workers who are confronting unpaid wages, discrimination, family and medical leave act violations, barriers to employment, and other issues. Our team also brings individual and class action litigation on behalf of people who have experienced these issues in the job market.

We are looking for an experienced attorney to lead these efforts, help form and execute our strategic agenda, and supervise teams that include attorneys and paralegals. As a senior leader at the Committee, the Deputy Legal Director also will play an important role in advancing a culture of diversity, equity, inclusiveness, and belonging.

Top candidates will be experienced litigators with demonstrated expertise in movement lawyering. They will have a proven ability to find common ground with diverse stakeholders and manage individuals and teams with fairness and transparency. They will be emotionally intelligent and highly collaborative with a high degree of empathy and exceptional listening skills.

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

The deputy legal director will:

  • Lead and supervise significant impact litigation in both the Workers’ Rights and Fair Housing practices and manage personnel on those teams.
  • Serve as part of a legal leadership team to set an agenda to further racial justice in the Washington D.C. metro area.
  • Work closely with co-counsel law firms and manage co-counsel relationships to successfully litigate systemic, mission-driven cases.
  • Work closely with the Legal Director to manage the significant administrative and operational needs of the legal program and staff day-to-day, including support for grant proposal drafting and reporting and assisting in budget development.
  • Serve as a thought leader within the Committee, and the legal community.
  • Mentor, supervise and support the professional development of teams of attorneys, paralegals, advocates, and volunteers.
  • Support all reporting and compliance efforts of the Committee, with respect to program initiatives, including grant reports.
  • Provide management, coaching, and mentorship that inspires excellence and promotes a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture where all staff belong; oversee the performance and professional development of staff attorneys.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications:

  • Passion for civil rights and racial equity advocacy.
  • Significant experience on economic justice issues, particularly housing or employment.
  • D. degree and DC Bar membership or ability to waive into the DC Bar. Membership in Maryland and/or Virginia Bars a plus.
  • Minimum of eight years of significant litigation experience, including work on complex federal cases, preferably including trial and appellate work, and class actions.
  • Minimum of two years’ progressive responsibility supervising/mentoring junior attorneys.
  • Deep understanding of and commitment to racial justice, social movements, and movement lawyering.
  • Strong organizational skills with a proven ability to manage complex, dynamic projects and deadlines.
  • Bilingual ability (professional fluency) and familiarity with D.C. area issues a plus.

Applicants with lived experiences in communities historically under-resourced and marginalized due to race, class, gender, disability, etc. are encouraged to apply.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary is $163,000, plus a generous benefits package. Details available on request.

This position is a hybrid position with three core days required to physically be in the
office located in Washington, D.C., and up to two days of telework. We will be participating in person when it is necessary to provide the highest quality legal services to our clients as well as the most effective advocacy.

Attached is the job posting that includes the full description. See here.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send an email detailing your interest and a resume to: wlcjobs@washlaw.org. Please place “[your name] – Deputy Legal Director” in the subject line.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled. The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity is an essential component of the Committee, and we encourage all qualified persons to apply. Applicants are accorded an equal opportunity for selection without regard to actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, personal appearance, matriculation, or political affiliation.

 

 

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