Associate Counsel/Counsel/Senior Counsel - Fair Housing & Community Development

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.

Job Title: Associate Counsel/Counsel/Senior Counsel – Fair Housing & Community Development Project
Location: Washington, DC
Job Type: Full-Time
Accountable To: Director for the Fair Housing and Community Development Project

About the Role: The Lawyers’ Committee seeks an attorney to join its Fair Housing & Community Development Project (FHCD) as Associate Counsel, Counsel or Senior Counsel. FHCD seeks to fight discrimination in housing through enforcement of the Fair Housing Act and to promote greater opportunity for low-income people of color by utilizing several legal and community-based strategies. In addition to impact litigation, the FHCD team provides legal support for housing justice organizations and advises nonprofit community development financial institutions (CDFIs) on strategies for increasing access to credit in Black communities and other communities of color.

Program areas include impact litigation to enforce the Fair Housing Act, national, state and local housing policy advocacy, support to community organizations, and support to CDFIs. The Associate Counsel, Counsel, or Senior Counsel will work on several national initiatives and impact litigation matters.

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Washington, DC. The Counsel or Senior Counsel will work under the supervision of the Director of FHCD. The title will be based on years of experience as an attorney. Regular travel is required.

What You’ll be Doing:
Responsibilities of the Associate Counsel/Counsel/Senior Counsel – Fair Housing & Community include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate teams comprised of pro bono counsel, investigators, and interns in complex litigation, legal research projects, and investigations.
• Litigate in federal and/or state courts, including appellate courts, throughout the country, by:
• Conducting legal research
• Writing legal memoranda and briefs
• Engaging in written discovery
• Managing and maintaining relationships with clients

Depending on the stage of FHCD’s litigation, duties and responsibilities may also include:

• Develop new cases through fact investigation and legal research, including examining documentary evidence as well as interviewing potential clients and witnesses.
• Taking and defending depositions.
• Conducting evidentiary hearings, trials, and oral arguments.
• Review and analyze proposed legislation, regulations, policies and other related documents in an effective, well-reasoned, and timely manner.
• Provide legal and policy support to grassroots community organizations, their national networks, and coalitions in which grassroots community organizations play a leading role.
• Provide legal advice and guidance to CDFIs regarding their initiatives to increase access to credit in Black communities and other communities of color.
• Work closely with colleagues across relevant Lawyers’ Committee internal Projects as needed to help identify and pursue shared advocacy objectives.
• Articulate and represent the Lawyers’ Committee’s positions on various issues related to fair housing, community development, and tenants’ rights through public speaking, op-eds, amicus briefs, and working in coalitions.

Minimum Requirements and Competencies:

• Deep commitment to the advancement of civil rights and racial justice.
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills, including legal research and writing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to approach issues creatively.
• At least three years of experience working on issues related to fair housing, community development, tenants’ rights, and/or fair lending (which can include working in a pro bono or volunteer capacity).
• Experience working with or for communities of color.
• Experience providing legal support to grassroots power-building groups.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to produce high quality work under pressure of multiple deadlines.
• Ability to build trust and credibility with clients, colleagues, and external partners.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team; receptive to direction and guidance.
• Ability to be flexible and responsive.
• Motivated and willing to take initiative to take on additional responsibilities as needed.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software, Westlaw, internet research tools, and Bluebook citation formatting.
• Admitted to the DC Bar; pending admission to the DC bar; or have the ability to waive into the DC Bar.
• Willingness and ability to travel.

Additional Preferred Experience:

• Experience as a civil rights and/or legal services attorney.
• Experience litigating complex civil cases, including writing legal memoranda and briefs; engaging in written discovery; taking and defending depositions; conducting evidentiary hearings, trials, and oral arguments; and managing and maintaining relationships with clients.
• Experience analyzing existing racial equity programs and formulating recommendations for the strengthening of such programs in a manner consistent with civil rights laws.
• Experience leading teams of people in litigation, legal advocacy, and/or investigations, including leadership of co-counsel and/or interns.

Ready to Make an Impact?
If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!

Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.

Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, immigration status, union activities, political affiliation, military veteran status, credit information or any other status protected under law.

The Lawyers’ Committee offers competitive compensation for our exempt attorney positions, with salaries ranging from $76,000 to $165,000. The specific salary within this range is determined based on the candidate’s experience, including the timing of their law degree attainment. Generally, candidates who obtained their law degree more recently will start at the lower end of the scale. Candidates with more extensive experience or those who obtained their law degree earlier may be eligible for salaries towards the higher end of the scale. We are committed to providing a fair and transparent compensation structure that reflects the value and experience of our attorneys.