Policy Attorney

Who We Are

At Children's Law Center, everything we do is focused on one thing - delivering better client outcomes for kids and families in DC. Our staff are empowered to open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions. We encourage intellectual curiosity, innovation, diversity, and mutual respect.

Our greatest assets are our people. We strive to attract and cultivate a vibrant, creative, and diverse community. We recognize that people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives fuel our ability to provide the best outcomes for our clients. Our staff drive Children's Law Center's mission with their leadership, result-orientated mindset, and commitment to cultural humility and centering the needs of our clients. We are looking for an individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, likes to be challenged, and values the opportunity to make a difference.

Children's Law Center's success depends on recruiting and retaining individuals who possess and value these attributes.

Children's Law Center is currently operating remotely. This position will work from home until the organization returns to the office.

Job Summary

The Policy Attorney works on CLC’s policy initiatives, which include child welfare, children’s mental health and special education.  CLC’s policy work is outcome-oriented and involves legislative, budget, and administrative advocacy.

The Policy Attorney works closely with the other policy attorneys on the team and works with staff in our core, direct services programs in order to implement strategies for improving the laws, policies and programs which affect our client community. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Periodic supervision of clerks and interns.

Duties/Responsibilities

The Policy Attorney’s duties include: drafting letters, memoranda, proposed legislation and other policy and legal documents; attending meetings and participating in collaborative projects with agencies, child advocacy and legal service groups; lobbying the City Council, Mayor’s Office and agencies on policy initiatives; and identifying, researching and recommending strategy choices and positions for CLC.   

Required Skills/Abilities

The position requires a demonstrated commitment to ensuring that at-risk children have safe homes, a meaningful education and a healthy mind and body. 

Experience working with youth, low income families or on special education issues is preferred.  

An ideal candidate will have systemic advocacy experience; outstanding verbal and written communication skills; excellent research and analytical skills; demonstrated capacity to work independently; and demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively.  

Education and Experience

• Three to five years relevant experience is preferred.  
• JD and DC Bar membership or immediate eligibility to waive into the DC Bar required.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this position ranges from $54,500- $65, 658 annually for applicants with 1-5 years’ experience. Children’s Law Center offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and short- and long-term disability insurance; employer-provided retirement contributions; flexible spending plans; and vacation, sick, holiday, family and medical leave. Children’s Law Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. Employees with federal student loan debt can apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. For more information, go to https://myfedloan.org/borrowers/special-programs/pslf.

Additionally, the DC Bar Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program provides renewable one-year, interest-free, forgivable loans up to $12,000 per year for qualified Children’s Law Center attorneys. For more information, see https:/dcbarfoundation.org/lrap/.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials in one PDF file: cover letter, resume and 3 professional references.

The Children’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and existing employees. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to ancestry, age, color, disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. We invite you to visit us here to learn more about our company and our career opportunities (https://childrenslawcenter.org/get-involved/careers/).

The Children’s Law Center is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. If you believe that you need accommodation to search for, or apply for, one of our positions please send an email to Jobs@ChildrensLawCenter.org. In your email, please include the accommodation you are requesting and the job title you are applying for. It may take up to three business days to receive a response to your request.