Job Title: Staff Attorney – Civil Legal Assistance

Work Week: 40 hours

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Director of Legal Services

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Job Summary: Provide domestic violence victim representation in Family Court on matters involving Protection from Abuse Orders, Custody, Support, Immigration and other legal matters.

Job Responsibilities:

• Maintain strict confidentiality of all client identification and information. May disclose confidential information only with valid, informed consent from a client or a party legally authorized to consent on behalf of client.
• Assist the Director of Legal Services and Justice Center attorney in the provision of legal representation in obtaining PFA orders, modifications and extensions.
• Provide consultation and direct legal representation for victims of domestic abuse on issues including child custody, child and spousal support, housing, public benefits, and immigration.
• Work in partnership with the District Attorney’s Office, Family Court Administrative Office, Domestic Relations, and Crime Victims Center to coordinate the referrals of all domestic violence cases to DVCCC.

Teamwork

• Work with staff to coordinate services for victim/survivors.
• Assist in the preparation of progress reports specific to legal services. Reports include, but are not limited, to the Civil Legal Representation Project.
• Prepare a monthly progress and challenge report for supervisor and CEO.
• Participate in staff in-services and other required meetings.
• Participate in agency-wide events: 45 hour advocate training; October Awareness; volunteer recognition, various celebrations, fairs, etc.
• Attend PCADV legal meetings; inform employees of any pending domestic violence legislation.
• Assist with keeping the facility clean and neat.
• Assist with accomplishing agency-wide annual goals and objectives.
• Any and all work-related duties assigned by supervisor and/or CEO.

Training

• Annually complete required courses to maintain law license.
• Assist with training domestic violence advocates, other victim service providers, child protective services staff, law enforcement personnel, judges and court personnel.

Skills and Qualifications

• Ability to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines.
• Strong commitment to the mission and goals of DVCCC, professional work goals and personal development.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of issues confronted by victims of abuse.
• Able to work with survivors of abuse and their children. Able to work with a diverse population and assist them with addressing life’s challenges.
• Knowledge of civil, criminal and family court systems, and community agency support services available to victims of domestic violence.
• Attorney court representation experience.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to write legal pleadings, briefs, etc.
• Able to work independently on projects and assignments with little or no supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and internal and external colleagues.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to finger, grasp, talk, feel, hear, and perform repetitive motion. Much of the work performed is sedentary in nature yet may require exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force to move objects.

Other Requirements

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Products.
• Must have a current driver’s license and be willing to travel by car to meetings and training courses.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours to meet program needs and grantor accountability requirements.
• Adhere to all agency policies and procedures (attendance, work hours, paperwork, etc.)
• Childcare and criminal clearances as required by the state and DVCCC.

Environment Conditions

The incumbent’s typical place of work is an office environment and thus will not be substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Disclaimer

• The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.

Minimum Training and Experience

• Juris Doctorate and a member of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Experience working in family law, particularly custody