Staff Attorney - Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.•Bath, NY

31d•$75,000 - $111,100•Hybrid

About The Position

The Bath office of LawNY® seeks to fill an immediate opening for a full time Staff Attorney in its Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit to provide direct legal representation primarily in family court for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault, including family offense petitions, custody/visitation, and child support, as well as providing civil legal services to victims to enhance victim safety, improve financial security and hold offenders accountable. In addition to family court practice, the Staff Attorney will also provide legal services to DV/SA victims in other civil areas of law, including public benefits, disability benefits, housing, and consumer, that relate to the domestic violence and/or sexual assault. We encourage applicants with a wide range of substantive legal experience to apply. We expect those who fill this position will grow and adapt their practice to the needs of the community and the organization. The candidate must have the caring, patience, and emotional maturity to help low-income people overcome crisis situations. Staff Attorneys at LawNY® provide comprehensive legal services to eligible clients and the ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of how civil legal issues affecting communities with low-income intersect with social and economic justice. Staff Attorneys play a critical role in realizing LawNY®’s vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Every Staff Attorney is expected to actively engage in learning and becoming increasingly skilled in practice that supports this vision.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate or Equivalent
Admitted to practice and in good standing in New York State.
Demonstrated commitment of service to people with low-income.

Nice To Haves

Litigation and advocacy experience in local, state and/or federal court and/or administrative forums within at least one other area of poverty law, in addition to family court, especially government benefits, employment discrimination, and landlord-tenant/homeownership/fair housing as those legal issues relate to the client’s victimization.
Experience incorporating an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens into legal practice.
An understanding of the concepts of structural and institutional racism and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
Strong interpersonal skills, including a commitment to providing trauma-informed services.
Excellent use of Google Drive/GSuite, Word, and Excel; database programs such as Lexisnexis and Westlaw
Lived experience with our client communities.
True fluency in a language other than English that is spoken by our clients.
Passion for social justice and commitment to the mission of LawNY.

Responsibilities

Maintain a full-time caseload representing eligible clients
Develop and maintain specialized knowledge in the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault, providing trauma-informed legal services, family court represention for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and legal advice and supportive services through the criminal justice process, as well as representation in other civil legal matters as they relate to the victimization.
Provides legal services to low income clients and client groups regarding these matters including advice, negotiation, litigation and administrative advocacy.
Interacts respectfully with clients and staff from a wide range of backgrounds, with an awareness of the importance of cultural competence and humility.
Collaborates with other LawNY® advocates, human services providers, non-profit organizations and community groups as well as the courts, administrative tribunals and the private bar to address legal problems within our community, including providing community legal education.
Cooperates in all grant reporting requirements, program reporting, timekeeping, file maintenance, case closing and compliance review.

Benefits

94% Employer paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer paid in-network deductible
100% Employer paid Dental Insurance
100% Employer paid Life Insurance
100% Employer paid Enhanced Short-term Disability
100% Employer paid Long-term Disability
Vision Insurance
20 Paid Vacation days per year
12 Sick days per year
5 Personal days per year
13.5 Holidays plus 2 floating Holidays per year
35-Hour Work Week
Hybrid Work Schedule (new staff are able to work from home up to 3 days per week. After 6 months, this increases to 5 days per week with Manager approval, as workload permits)