The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia is pleased to announce a new Housing Law Fellowship with the support of Steptoe & Johnson LLP.

The Steptoe Housing Law Fellowship will support Legal Aid’s Housing Law Unit, which works to prevent evictions, address dangerous housing conditions, and preserve affordable housing in the District. Unlike many other fellowships, the Steptoe Housing Law Fellowship will be open to applicants with experience, as well as recent law school graduates and judicial clerks.

“Legal Aid is honored to partner with Steptoe to establish this new housing law fellowship,” said Eric Angel, Executive Director of Legal Aid. “The firm's generosity and leadership will enable us to preserve stable, affordable housing for scores of additional families whom we otherwise would not be able to serve.”

Public service at Steptoe has been an integral part of the firm’s history, ethos, and operations. For nearly 40 years, Steptoe maintained a loaned associate program at Legal Aid. In addition, Steptoe has represented hundreds of pro bono clients referred by Legal Aid in the areas of housing, family law, and public benefits, among others.

“Steptoe proudly continues its longstanding partnership with Legal Aid by expanding the availability of legal services for families facing the loss of their housing,” said Paul Lee, Pro Bono Counsel at Steptoe. “We are confident that this investment in our community will serve the needs of many.”

The Steptoe Housing Law Fellow will join Legal Aid’s Housing Law Unit, which provides legal assistance to some 2,000 people in DC annually. Latricia Jones, who was at risk of being evicted until Steptoe partner John O’Connor and associate Johanna Dennehy stepped in, was featured in Legal Aid’s 2016 Annual Report.

“My lawyers made me feel like I was their only client,” Ms. Jones said after her case was dismissed. “They fought for me every step of the way.”

Legal Aid is currently accepting applications for the fellowship.