RISING FOR JUSTICE is seeking a director for it Housing advocacy and Litigation Clinic.

Rising for Justice (“RFJ”) invites applications for the Director of our Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic (“HALC”). The incumbent will serve on the organization’s leadership team and have responsibility for the management of our long-standing and highly-regarded law school clinical program – a dynamic educational program embedded in our Tenant Justice Program (“TJP”). The Director of HALC is expected to serve as model of excellent workplace practices.

HALC enrolls student attorneys from Georgetown University Law Center, George Washington University Law School, The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, and American University’s Washington College of Law. Students, who are supervised by TJP’s clinical supervising attorneys, represent clients in eviction defense matters as well as housing conditions and other types of tenants’ rights cases. 

About Rising for Justice

Created in 1969, RFJ, formerly known as D.C. Law Students in Court (“LSIC”), is the oldest clinical legal education program in the District of Columbia. RFJ currently operates as a public interest legal services provider and clinical education program. Our mission is to leverage the collective forces of students and experienced advocates to achieve justice for all. RFJ embraces equal justice and diversity as core values. We strive to maintain a workplace that is vibrant, welcoming, innovative, and collaborative. We are committed to fostering the thoughtful exchange of ideas and to ensuring that all voices are heard and respected. We seek a skilled and experienced clinical director who embraces our mission and values.

Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination includes race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, personal appearance, genetic information, political affiliation, marital status, family responsibilities, disability, status as a veteran, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law or regulation.

Position Responsibilities

Duties include management of all aspects of the clinical teaching program, including the following:

• Conducting annual updates and periodic revisions to the clinical curriculum, course syllabi, orientation materials, case practice protocols, and related educational materials to conform with best practices in clinical education and with the specifications of law school partners.
• Updating policies and protocols to ensure that all aspects of the clinical curriculum are appropriately implemented by the instructional staff.
• Developing lesson plans and teaching classes.
• Refining, monitoring, and managing the implementation of standards applicable to case practice and student supervision; mentoring and supporting attorneys.
• Collaborating with senior managers on strategic planning initiatives related to the development of the organization’s clinical program.
• Serving as a liaison with all participating law schools to ensure all law school requirements related to student participation in HALC are satisfied on a timely basis.
• Managing the law student recruitment process and all administrative processes related to clinic operations.
• Supervision of attorneys, administrative staff and paralegals; oversight of all HALC operations to ensure conformity with organizational policy.
• Serving as a clinical supervising attorney.

Qualification Requirements

JD with at least 10 years combined litigation and law school teaching experience.  Applicant should have a strong work ethic and be an innovator with excellent communication skills and a keen attention to detail. Clinical teaching and management experience, a background in housing law, and fluency in Spanish preferred. 

COVID-19 Statement

Rising for Justice requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 except staff who are entitled to a reasonable accommodation due to a medical disability or sincerely held religious belief under the law.

Hours, Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position based on a 40-hour work week. Salary is commensurate with experience. We offer a competitive salary with an excellent benefits package, including employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous sick, annual and personal leave; life and disability insurance, and paid federal and local holidays.

To Apply: Each candidate should submit a cover letter and resume by email to Julia Cade, Interim Director of Operations, at hiring@risingforjustice.org. Please indicate “Director of Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic [your full name]” in the subject line of the email.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.