Full Time Counsel

ABOUT MOTHER’S OUTREACH NETWORK
Mother’s Outreach Network, Inc., (MON) based in Washington DC, is a non-profit, tax-exempt, racial justice and antipoverty advocacy organization that pursues the inclusion and empowerment of Black mothers in the struggle for family preservation by transforming government income and child welfare laws, policies, and practices from punitive to empowering. The legal program, which provides representation, advice, and referrals for mothers who are facing adverse administrative decisions, with a focus on matters before the DC Child and Family Services Agency, that negatively impact family preservation and economic security;
The advocacy program, which seeks to transform income and child welfare/family regulation system policy at the local and federal level; The community engagement program, which includes outreach events, know-your-rights workshops in law and civic activism, as well as community-driven research and mutual-aid.

The Senior Counsel for Family Justice and Policy will help lead the organization’s D.based legal and policy advocacy to end family separation and expand parent defense capacity in the District of Columbia.

This role combines deep expertise in family and child welfare law with a passion for systemic transformation. The Senior Counsel will drive efforts to transform the District’s family regulation (“child welfare”) system—moving from one rooted in surveillance and punishment to one grounded in support, equity, and family unity.

The Senior Counsel will shape legislation, engage with the D.Council, work closely with stakeholders across the legal services community, mentor staff attorneys, and collaborate with impacted parents, community partners, and defense providers to advance policies that keep families together and strengthen the right to high-quality parent representation.

Policy and Systems Advocacy (50%)
Lead the organization’s advocacy to end unnecessary family separation and promote family preservation and integrity across the District.
Develop and advance legislative and administrative reforms before the D.Council, Mayor’s Office, and CFSA that expand parent defense infrastructure and strengthen due process protections in child welfare cases.
Draft, analyze, and monitor D.C. legislation, regulations, and court rules related to family defense, reunification, and child welfare practice.
Develop policy briefs, model legislation, and reports that expose the harms of family policing and propose community-based alternatives.
Council and participate in working groups, coalitions, and advisory committees focused on child welfare and family justice reform.
Legal Strategy and Support (20%)
Conduct legal and policy research on D.C. child welfare law, CFSA practices, and parent defense systems.
Provide legal and technical support to family defense attorneys and community advocates navigating systemic challenges.
Identify opportunities for systemic advocacy or strategic litigation , including amicus briefs and administrative appeals, to protect parental rights and prevent family separation.
Analyze data and case trends to inform policy recommendations and advocacy campaigns.
Mentorship and Supervision (15%)
Supervise and mentor staff attorneys and legal fellows working on family defense and policy initiatives.
C. family and child welfare law, legislative advocacy, and liberatory frameworks.
Provide ongoing feedback and professional development to ensure high-quality, community-centered advocacy.
Coalition and Community Engagement (10%)
Serve as a core representative in coalitions, task forces, and advocacy networks advancing family justice in D.Build and maintain partnerships with parent-led organizations , grassroots groups, and legal providers to strengthen collective advocacy.
Work with communications staff to develop accessible public education materials—including policy explainers, op-eds, and reports—on family separation and parent defense reform.
Conduct trainings, webinars, and community events to raise awareness about D.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with the D.At least 7 years of legal experience, with substantial background in family defense, child welfare, or related family law practice.
Experience with legislative or policy advocacy , particularly at the D.Council or in comparable local government settings.
Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
Proven ability to mentor and supervise attorneys or legal staff.
Strong interpersonal and coalition-building skills, including experience collaborating with impacted communities.
Superior Court’s Family Court, and/or the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
Prior work with or within parent defense offices, legal service providers, or family advocacy coalitions.
C. legislative and budget processes and experience securing public investments in legal services or family support.
Lived experience or close connection to the child welfare/family policing system.
Fluency in a language other than English a plus

This is a full-time salaried position, and the salary range is $120,000 to $125,000 per year, commensurate with experience. A health, dental and vision benefits package is provided: health insurance is covered by 100% for the employee and available to dependents. All federal holidays and all holidays observed by the District of Columbia are observed, as well as the week between Christmas and New Year. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. To apply, please upload your resume and respond to the application questions. Mother’s Outreach Network is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and insist on equity and inclusion in our work environment and in the world. If you have the passion for our mission and have the skill sets to help us fulfill this mission, we welcome you as you are.