NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
HOUSING LAW SENIOR ATTORNEY
NLSP is a private non-profit law firm whose mission is to provide vigorous and high quality
client-centered civil legal services to low-income residents of the District of Columbia. Formed
in 1964, NLSP was one of the first federally funded civil legal services programs in the United
States and continues to be funded in part by the Legal Services Corporation as the DC federally
funded legal services program. NLSP has been a pioneering force in the fight for justice for the
poor. Many of our nation’s landmark cases and laws regarding the rights for the poor in housing,
consumer protection, government benefits, education, employment and family law began in the
neighborhood and community offices of NLSP through the work of dedicated lawyers,
paralegals and support teams determined to champion their client’s case.
NLSP provides legal representation in a full range of civil matters affecting the lives of DC
residents living in poverty; including housing, health care, employment, consumer protection,
education, discrimination, family court disputes, income maintenance, and the many civil
consequences impacting persons with convictions and their families. The staff is diverse, multi-
lingual and passionate. NLSP provides extensive training in substantive law, DC specific law
and community lawyering in-house and externally by staff, alumni, clients, volunteer lawyers
and poverty law experts.
Responsibilities:
The housing law senior attorney will be responsible for directing the housing law practice in the
neighborhood law offices and for NLSP court-based housing attorneys; supervising housing
attorneys and housing legal advocacy, maintaining a small caseload, engaging in community
outreach, and coordinating strategies in collaboration with NLSP’s neighborhood offices.
Qualifications:
A passion for justice; demonstrated interest in working with low-income persons or commitment
to public service; D.C. Bar membership or eligibility for membership; significant housing law
experience, strong litigation and other advocacy skills, excellent writing and oral advocacy skills;
good communication and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate effectively with clients,
staff and the public; ability to work collaboratively with others; ability to analyze complex
problems and develop creative solutions; bilingual language skills are useful and desirable, but
not required.
Salary and Benefits:
NLSP salaries and benefits are competitive in the civil legal services community. NLSP lawyers also
qualify for student loan and bar study reimbursement assistance through the Legal Services
Corporation (www.lsc.gov) and the District of Columbia Loan Repayment Assistance Program (DC
LRAP) (www.dcbarfoundation.org.), both of which offer relief for civil legal services lawyers who
wish to use their legal skills to achieve positive change for low-income DC communities.
To Apply:
Interested persons should send a cover letter, resume and writing sample to Cesar Espinoza, by
email or regular mail at:
Attorney Search Committee or jespinoza@nlsp.org
(Neighborhood Managing Attorney) Subject line: Housing Senior Atty
Neighborhood Legal Services Program
701 Fourth Street NW
Washington, D. C. 20001
Positions remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.
NLSP is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the Neighborhood Legal Services Program policy that no employee or applicant for employment
or services will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex,
disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, family responsibilities or family status, veteran’s
status, or any other basis prohibited by law, including the DC Human Rights Act and Language
Access Act.
Neighborhood Legal Services Program
701 Fourth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 682-2700
(202) 682-0588 (fax)
www.nlsp.org
April 2007