Workers' Rights Attorney

About the role

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (the “Committee”) seeks an experienced attorney to supervise the Committee’s Workers’ Rights Clinic, develop and maintain partnership with community organizations and organizations led by impacted persons, and pursue opportunities for systemic litigation and advocacy.

Responsibilities

As part of its work, the Committee hosts the Workers’ Rights Clinic at which low-income workers can receive a consultation with a trained volunteer who provides legal assistance and advice under the supervision of an experienced employment law attorney. At present, the clinics are held both virtually every week and in-person one Saturday morning each month in the facilities of other community-based organizations in a City location convenient to low-wage workers. The Committee also seeks to deepen its partnerships with community and impacted-person led organizations to identify and surmount legal and other barriers facing low-income workers and workers of color. The position is focused on legal supervision of the Workers’ Rights Clinic and the identification of patterns from the docket that are appropriate for systemic litigation and advocacy. The attorney will participate in litigation or advocacy as time permits. The position also includes building and maintaining collaborative engagement with community partners.

The attorney will be responsible to:

• Ensure that the Clinics provide high quality advice and brief service through the supervision and training of volunteers;
• Develop and maintain expertise in wage and hour, discrimination, and other workers’ rights laws;
• Identify and lead the implementation of opportunities to build worker power through clinic activities;
• Manage the Workers’ Rights Advocate, including providing feedback and direction on work requirements;
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners;
• Identify opportunities for systemic advocacy or litigation within the Committee’s practice areas; and
• Collaborate with other Committee staff on cross cutting issues.

Skills/Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications:

• Passion for civil rights and racial equity advocacy, including working with marginalized communities;
• Experience working with community-based organizations and organizers;
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations;
• Ability to contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture that encourages and celebrates differences;
• D.C. Bar membership (in good standing), or the ability to waive in to the DC Bar; and
• Bilingual ability in Spanish language (professional fluency) preferred but not required.

How To Apply

Your application should include a cover letter detailing your interest, a resume, at least three references, and a brief writing sample. Please include your three references and writing sample as an appendix to your cover letter. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

Compensation

Compensation is determined based upon an experience-based pay scale. The below pay range spans from 1-10 years of experience.