DC Affordable Law Firm

Chief Operating Officer

At DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF), we believe income should never be a barrier to justice. Founded in 2015 by volunteers to help close access to justice gaps in the District of Columbia, DCALF serves an expansive range of hardworking DC residents unable to afford market-based legal services, including modest-income residents who fall between eligibility for free legal services and the ability to afford private counsel and low-income residents navigating unmet legal needs. Through innovative programming and a commitment to equity, we deliver no cost and low-cost legal services in family law, probate, estate planning, and immigration, ensuring historically underserved clients can navigate life’s most challenging legal issues with skilled legal representation.

Across the past decade, DCALF has grown exponentially—from grassroots beginnings to a $4.2 million organization with a staff of 30, a strong network of volunteers and pro bono partners, and serving more than 450 clients annually, with hundreds more annually engaged through community education and outreach. Our award-winning annual fellowship programs further our mission by launching the careers of recent law graduates, equipping them to become dedicated public interest attorneys and lifelong champions for justice.

Position Overview     

DCALF seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead all operational and administrative functions, including human resources, financial management, grants management, facilities/office management, board engagement, and IT, with support from outsourced consultants, the Operations & HR Manager, and the Innovation Technology and Data Manager. The successful candidate will be a seasoned operations leader with meticulous attention to detail, an orientation to action and results, an empathetic leadership style, and a proven track record of advancing cross-functional projects. The COO will be an integral part of DCALF’s Leadership Team, working alongside the Executive Director, Legal Director, Development Director, and Deputy Legal Director. They will supervise a team of two, the Operations & HR Manager and the Innovation Technology & Data Manager.

Specific areas of responsibility include:

Financial Management

• Work with an outside CPA to manage DCALF’s day-to-day finances. Analyze and present financial and statistical reports in an accurate, timely manner to senior staff, Board Finance Committee, and Board of Directors.
• Lead the year-end annual audit and single audit with support from CPA and external auditors. 
• Develop the annual budget in partnership with the Leadership Team and board Finance Committee.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for DCALF’s Treasurer, leading meetings of the Board Finance Committee in conjunction with the Treasurer and Executive Director.
• Produce budgets for all grant proposals, oversee and monitor program and grant expenditures on a monthly basis, complete required grant financial reports and grant modifications, advise the Leadership Team on grant allocations, utilization, and compliance, and routinely communicate relevant information about finances and grant utilization to program teams as needed.
• Manage banking relationships and accounts and engage with funders around financial management and grants management as needed.     

Business Operations and Compliance

• Maintain business insurance coverage, including Malpractice, Cyber Security, Workers Compensation, Crime, and General Liability Insurance.
• Ensure all required annual and periodic organizational registrations are completed, including SAM.gov, charitable, DC business, and franchise tax exemptions.
• Ensure organization-wide compliance with DCALF’s adopted Cyber Security and Internal Controls policies, and conduct periodic reviews to ensure policies continue to meet best practice standards.
• Lead forecasting and cost analysis, lease negotiations, and contract evaluation of DCALF office space in conjunction with Leadership Team, Board, outside counsel, and General Counsel.     
• Oversee the ongoing maintenance of all aspects of DCALF's office, providing guidance on facilities and security management, including safety and OSHA requirements, and overseeing office repairs and replacements as needed.     

Human Resources

• Ensure organization-wide compliance with all Federal, local, and labor statutes and regulations, including engaging pro bono employment counsel and General Counsel as appropriate.     
• Lead Operations & HR Manager in establishing and scaling key internal HR functions, including a performance management program, staff training and development initiatives, periodic comprehensive benefits and compensation reviews, and maintaining general awareness of and adherence to evolving best practices.
• Lead the Operations & HR Manager and Leadership Team in the development and implementation of staff policies.
• Provide coaching and support for staff supervisors, including performance evaluation, staff development and goal setting, and performance troubleshooting.
• Supervise the full-time Operations & HR Manager in managing day-to-day HR tasks and projects.

Information Technology

• Supervise Operations & HR Manager’s management of internal IT processes, technology and equipment selection and implementation, and external vendors relationships.
• Supervise the part-time Innovation Technology & Data Manager to ensure legal IT platforms, including case management, document storage, and data maintenance are secure and meet operational needs of the legal team.
• Lead periodic review of IT needs and work with the Operations and Leadership Teams in evaluating and selecting new tools, vendors, and platforms.          

Organizational Leadership and Special Projects

• Participate as an active member of DCALF’s Leadership Team.
• Assist with drafting, implementing, and upholding new and existing policies and best practices that reflect the values and goals of the organization.
• Foster growth of an inclusive and equitable workplace. 
• Assist with organizational management, project management, and strategic planning, engaging with external consultants, institutional partners, and board members.
• Participate in fundraising events and help develop strategies and connections to increase resources and revenue for DCALF. 
• Implement, develop, and advance organizational priorities and strategy consistent with the organization’s mission, in conjunction with DCALF Leadership.
• DCALF is currently housed in the offices of one of its founding law firm partners, ArentFox Schiff, with a sublease agreement ending in June 2027. The COO will lead DCALF’s search for a new office space and oversee DCALF’s relocation to a new office site prior to July 2027.

Qualifications

The position of COO will be a challenging and rewarding opportunity that requires diverse skills and experiences. While we understand that no single candidate can possess every qualification listed below, the following are considered priority areas:

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience overseeing nonprofit administrative and financial management, including budgeting, HR, IT, and facilities.
• Substantial experience in small nonprofit organizations is a plus.
• Experience in a civil legal services or public interest law office is a strong plus. 
• Experience in grants management, including funder reporting and grant budgets.
• Experience developing and maintaining systems, standard operating procedures, management processes, and office policies. Demonstrated success in guiding process improvements and change management strategies.
• Experience leading or implementing strategic initiatives is a plus.
• Ability to make and implement difficult decisions.
• Flexibility in adjusting to new or unexpected circumstances. 
• Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice, and diversity, equity and inclusion. 
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent project management, creative and strategic thinking, judgment, and decisive leadership skills.
• Willingness to foster a learning environment, provide and reflect upon constructive feedback, and support the professional development of DCALF’s staff.
• DCALF uses Microsoft 365, including Outlook and SharePoint, and as such, the willingness to adopt and, if necessary, learn these and other core DCALF tech systems are required to be successful in this role.     

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time salaried, exempt position. To uphold organizational pay equity standards, flat salary of $125,000 has been budgeted for the first year of employment.  

DCALF offers the following benefits:

• 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match.
• Medical insurance and elective dental and vision insurance options.
• Generous paid leave, including vacation, sick, and personal days, winter break closure (Christmas Day to New Year’s Day), Thanksgiving break, and all Federal and local DC holidays.
• Paid parental/family leave through the DC Paid Family Leave Program.
• Ongoing training opportunities.

In addition, this position is eligible for DCALF’s Spanish Language stipend of $2,500 annually for a candidate with a demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.   

Work Environment

DCALF is currently working in a hybrid remote/in-person model. Due to the responsibilities of this position, it is paramount that the successful candidate come into the office with regularity, approximately two days per week, consistent with DCALF policies and work demands. The ideal candidate for this position must maintain full-time residence in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia to facilitate ease of access to DCALF’s physical office.  

Application Process

DCALF has retained Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving nonprofits, to conduct this search. Interested applicants should submit a resume and detailed cover letter to www.good-insight.org/careers. Send confidential inquiries to DCALF@good-insight.org.  

Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, please apply by early September 2025. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DC Affordable Law Firm is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. DCALF strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, sex (specifically including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, unhoused status, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation political affiliation, tobacco use, credit information, status as unemployed, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.