Appellate Advocacy Fellow

Legal Aid DC seeks a highly qualified candidate to be its Appellate Advocacy Fellow starting in the Fall of 2025.  The Fellowship will be for one year, extendable to two years by mutual agreement of the Fellow and legal Aid.

Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. Currently, we provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, and appellate matters. We also work on immigration matters and help individuals with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic impact and appellate litigation.  

Legal Aid believes that meaningful pursuit of our anti-poverty mission requires an unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity. We aspire both to reflect the rich racial diversity of the communities we serve and to value, respect, and empower our staff and clients to be effective agents of change. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org. 

Legal Aid’s nationally recognized Barbara McDowell Appellate Advocacy Project is named after its first Director, an acclaimed appellate and U.S. Supreme Court advocate. The Project litigates precedent-setting appeals on behalf of Legal Aid clients and files “friend of the court” briefs in cases involving matters of importance to people living in poverty. Beyond litigation, the Project provides appellate instruction, consultation, and advice to the larger D.C. legal services community. Although most of the Project’s work involves cases before the D.C. Court of Appeals, the Project also gets involved in administrative appeals and cases before the D.C. Superior Court and the federal courts. 

The Appellate Advocacy Fellow will be responsible for conducting legal research and writing; drafting legal and factual memoranda and briefs; conducting applicant and client interviews and meetings; reviewing and analyzing court filings and records; assisting with the maintenance of Legal Aid’s appellate case files, records, and dockets; engaging in oral advocacy, as appropriate; supervising a legal intern; and other tasks as assigned by the Appellate Project Director, the Executive Director, and other members of the Legal Aid staff. 

The successful candidate will have the following:   

• Exceptional legal research and writing skills;   

• Strong litigation, organizational, communication, and leadership skills;  

• An ability to multitask, juggle, and complete assignments, and meet deadlines;  

• A demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice;   

• An ability to work with Legal Aid’s diverse client community; and  

• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish or another language in addition to English preferred but not required. 

Membership or eligibility for membership in the D.C. Bar is required. Individuals who are not already members of the D.C. Bar must have graduated from an accredited law school (or anticipate doing so) before the fellowship commences.  

Salary and Benefits

The Fellow will be paid in accordance with Legal Aid's based on years of full-time legal experience. Lateral hires will receive credit for years of relevant work experience. Starting salaries are as follows:  

• Entry-level attorney just passing the bar: $71,054 

• Attorney with 1 year full-time legal work experience: $73,591 

• Attorney with 2 years full-time legal work experience: $75,752 

Legal Aid generally provides two salary increases per year, depending on funding availability: a cost-of-living increase at the beginning of the year and a step increase in July.  We anticipate (but do not guarantee) one or more such salary increase(s) before the individual selected for this position begins employment. 

Legal Aid offers a generous benefits package, including eligibility for fully paid health insurance, annual retirement match, 12 paid holidays, 20 days of annual leave per year and 15 days of sick leave per year.     

Click here for full salary scale and additional benefits information.  

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320. New hires start with a 90-day probationary period before they are considered full-time, regular employees.  

To Apply

Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and encourages applications from interested persons from diverse backgrounds of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. We strongly encourage applications from people with personal experience with the criminal justice system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve. Interested persons should submit a letter of interest and resume here. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Position remains open until October 29,2024.  No emails or phone calls, please. 

Salary : $71,054 - $75,752