Staff Attorney, Victim Advocacy Program

Disability Rights Wisconsin•Madison, WI

About The Position

The Victim Advocacy Program of Disability Rights Wisconsin works to ensure that survivors with disabilities receive the advocacy, legal representation, services, and support they desire to move forward, find justice, and obtain safety and stability in whatever form the survivor needs. A main goal of VAP is to promote self-determination for survivors with disabilities. The Staff Attorney for the Victim Advocacy Program will: provide direct, comprehensive representation to victim/survivors of crime with disabilities in relevant areas, including family law, guardianship, restraining orders, and victims’ rights; provide advice and counsel to clients, guardians, and family members; and participate in litigation, systems change initiatives, and outreach and training opportunities.

Requirements

0-10 years of experience in the practice of law.
Law degree and licensed to practice law in Wisconsin, or the ability to become licensed within six months
Experience/direct contact with victims/survivors of crime
Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
Basic computer skills, including email, word processing, and use of the internet
Ability to travel statewide

Nice To Haves

Experience in providing advocacy and/or support to survivors of crime and/or people with disabilities or mental illness
Fluency or strong proficiency in American Sign Language, Hmong, or Spanish
Knowledge and skill in areas of law directly relevant to this project (victims’ rights, family law, guardianship) and people with disabilities or mental illness.

Responsibilities

Provide effective legal representation to survivors with disabilities in hearings, administrative appeals, and court proceedings on relevant issues such as Injunctions, family law, and victims’ rights issues.
Provide information and referral on cases that are not eligible for direct representation.
Adhere to good legal practice.
Demonstrate ability to assess specific issues, identify relevant facts, conduct research, and provide advice to Advocacy Specialists regarding development of VAP cases.
Develop content area expertise in disability and victimization.
Prepare in a timely fashion all reports associated with VAP and DRW.
Follow DRW policies, including but not limited to client communications, maintenance and retention records, and opening and closing cases.
Participate in meetings, committees, work groups, hiring, and more in furtherance of DRW or VAP program goals.
Develop and maintain resource files on topics including legal rights of individuals, grievance procedures, and other advocacy resources and disability related organizations.
Other duties may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the VAP.
Participate in outreach strategies and events.

Benefits

Generous employer contribution for individual and family health insurance, plus a Health Reimbursement Account for uncovered health care costs.
Employer-provided Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Contribution
Flex Spending Account
Access to affordable, quality: o Dental, Vision Coverage o Additional Life Insurance for the employee, spouse, and children o Critical Illness Insurance o Identity Theft o Pet Insurance
Public Student Loan Forgiveness: Employment at our organization may qualify you for federal student loan forgiveness programs. We do not directly pay for, nor forgive, federal student loans. However, our status as a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) makes us an eligible employer. There may be additional factors that determine eligibility. For more information, read the Federal Student Aid’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) page: studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Generous paid time off policies include: 10 Fixed and 4 Floating Holidays Leave time for: Medical and Caretaking Vacation Personal Bereavement Leave
Additional benefits include the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

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