Staff Attorney, Safe Horizon, Brooklyn, NY

Staff Attorney

Posted on: December 19, 2014
Posted by: Safe Horizon

The Staff Attorney, using autonomy and independence, provides legal representation to domestic violence victims in family offense, custody, visitation and child support cases in Family Court, and conducts presentations and trainings to internal and external audiences including community-based organizations and other service based providers on domestic violence and the law.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Conducts in depth interviews with victims of domestic violence, compiles history and investigates to corroborate allegations.
• Drafts all legal documents and makes all court appearances with victims of domestic violence.
• Prepares witnesses and client for court appearances.
• Responsible for assisting clients with a holistic range of services, including advocacy on non-legal issues.
• Exercises complete decision making authority over each client's case.
• Provides legal information, advocacy and referrals to individual who reach out to the DVLP helpline.
• Maintains clients' case files and all internal data logs. Responsible for their own clerical case-related work.
• Maintains monthly statistical reports documenting case representation, provision of legal advocacy and referrals.
• Provides statistical and narrative data to five to ten funders.
• Conducts presentations and trainings to community-based organizations and other service providers to promote the mission of the agency.
• Attends meetings to discuss policy issues affecting client population.
• Develops and maintains relationships with individuals, organizations and government agencies within the domestic violence and legal community in New York City.
• Participates in the Lawyer's Committee against Domestic Violence and other advocacy/policy groups.
• Serves as an internal resource to Safe Horizon staff, answering questions and making educational presentations.
• Contributes to the employment, supervision and oversight of support staff, volunteers and student interns.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong oral and written communications skills, including the ability to convey legal concepts to lay people.
• The ability to write routine reports, court documents, case notes, pleadings and correspondence in a clear, concise and effective manner is essential.
• Must be creative and have critical thinking skills.
• Must be a persuasive and effective public speaker.
• Prior experience organizing and executing group trainings and information exchanges is preferred.
• Must possess demonstrated appropriate communications skills with client populations, colleagues and court staff.
• Problem-solving, prioritizing, time management, team-building and organizational skills are also essential.
• Must be familiar with legal services, resources and procedures available in New York City.
• Must possess a knowledge and understanding of economic issues facing domestic violence victims, including but not limited to housing, public benefits and child support.
• Strong networking skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with various individuals, organizations and government agencies is essential.
• A strong commitment to working exclusively with victims of domestic violence is required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited law school, be admitted to the New York State Bar and have two to four years of related experience. New graduates who have completed an approved fellowship or judicial clerkship may be considered.
• Must have prior experience in and/or thorough knowledge of family law, crisis intervention, criminal justice system, working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, family violence, poverty law, feminist law and/ social justice work.
• Bilingual oral and written skills strongly preferred.

All prospective job candidates must meet screening requirements, which may include a background check, credit check, finger printing and State Central Registry clearance.

HOW TO APPLY

Please follow link to apply for thgis position:

https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=11808901

Transgender Rights Project Staff Attorney, Lambda Legal, New York, NY

Transgender Rights Project Staff Attorney

Posted on: September 29, 2014
Application deadline: October 17, 2014
Start date: November 1, 2014
Posted by: Lambda Legal

Lambda Legal seeks a staff attorney to engage in cutting-edge impact litigation, public policy advocacy, and education furthering Lambda Legal's mission. This position will be based in Lambda Legal's New York office. The attorney will devote approximately 50% of the position's time to the national work of the Transgender Rights Project and the other 50% to work in Lambda Legal's other priority areas in the Northeast region.

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and people with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal has regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles.

Lambda Legal's law reform, policy, and education work encompasses a wide range of areas critically important to LGBT people and those living with HIV, including federal and state constitutional law issues; gender identity, sexual orientation and HIV discrimination in employment, schools, youth in out-of-home care systems, health care, identity documents, the criminal justice system; relationship protections, including the freedom to marry; child custody, visitation, assisted reproduction, and adoption; foster care and juvenile justice; asylum and immigration policy; and anti-LGBT harassment and violence. Lambda Legal has been involved in numerous landmark United States and state Supreme Court cases, including Lawrence v. Texas, Romer v. Evans, Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, Bragdon v. Abbott, University of Alabama v. Garrett, In re Marriage Cases, Varnum v. Brien, Benitez v. North Coast Women's Care Medical Group, and Brandon v. County of Richardson. For more information about Lambda Legal, visit www.lambdalegal.org

Lambda Legal's Transgender Rights Project works specifically on behalf of transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming people. Recent Lambda Legal landmark victories include Glenn v. Brumby, in which we established important law governing gender discrimination in the course of representing a transgender woman fired for transitioning at her job in the Georgia Assembly, and the Smith v. Fields case, which we won on behalf of several Wisconsin transgender women in prison who were denied transition-related health care. In other examples of our recent work, earlier this year the Transgender Rights Project secured Social Security survivor benefits for our 93-year-old client whose claim had been denied following her husband's death, as well as a Social Security Administration policy change for all transgender spouses.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Attorney will devote approximately 50% of the position's time to Lambda Legal's transgender advocacy nationwide and the other 50% to work in Lambda Legal's other priority areas in the Northeast Region (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.), increasing Lambda Legal's presence as a force for civil rights there. The attorney will handle all aspects of litigation in precedent-setting cases, as well as engage in education efforts and policy advocacy. Litigation responsibilities include devising litigation strategies to produce the greatest positive impact most efficiently, conducting each stage of litigation in trial and appellate courts, writing amicus briefs, organizing amicus strategies, supervising Lambda Legal cooperating attorneys, assisting with the screening of requests for legal assistance, and investigating and developing potential new matters.

In addition, attorneys on staff often consult with private lawyers who are handling matters related to Lambda Legal's areas of expertise, advocate with government agencies and officials, and advise policy makers. The attorney will engage in public speaking, write for a variety of audiences, and help implement education strategies to advance public knowledge and change dialogue about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and HIV-related legal issues. The education work involves frequent interviews with print, radio, television, and web reporters. Some travel is required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants are expected to possess experience sufficient to allow them to work with substantial independence in furtherance of Lambda Legal's mission in all areas of our work. Applicants should have a minimum of four (4) years experience as a practicing attorney, including litigation experience that prepares the applicant to handle law reform litigation.

The applicant should have a high level of independence and initiative, excellent speaking and writing skills, the ability to produce the highest caliber legal work, creativity, good judgment, and a willingness to work with others toward the most effective strategies and initiatives to advance civil rights. In addition, the successful candidate will have the ability to talk and write about legal and other complex issues in clear, persuasive terms for non-lawyer audiences.

Working at Lambda Legal requires a demonstrated awareness of and commitment to the concerns of the communities Lambda Legal. Prior work on behalf of transgender people, the LGBT community and/or people living with HIV is highly desirable, as is fluency in Spanish and/or other languages in addition to English.

HOW TO APPY

The position is open until filled, and may start as soon as November 1, 2014. Interviews may start as early as October 1, 2014. Send resume, brief writing sample (preferably including discussion of a constitutional, discrimination, federal courts or other complex issue), and a letter or email explaining your interest in the position and how you learned of the job opening to:

Amy Shapiro

Legal Administrative Manager

Lambda Legal

120 Wall Street, 19^th Fl.

New York, NY 10005

ashapiro@lambdalegal.org

Include the words "Staff /Transgender Rights Project Attorney position" on the first line of the address of the envelope or the subject line of the email transmitting your application materials.

No calls please. Due to the high volume of applications, Lambda Legal will not accept phone calls about the position and does not notify applicants of status except when an interview is granted.

Lambda Legal is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, transgender people, and people with disabilities, including HIV, are encouraged to apply.

Staff Attorney, Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Staff Attorney

Posted on: May 24, 2013
Application deadline: June 14, 2013
Posted by: Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre

DESCRIPTION

The Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre (HKRAC) is a non-profit, human rights organisation dedicated to the provision of free legal services to refugees applying for protection. Since our establishment in 2007, we have provided life-changing legal services to over 1,300 refugee men, women, and children. HKRAC operates on a partnership model, with partners including law firms, academic and research institutions, and community volunteers.

Purpose of position:

The Staff Attorney (SA) is responsible for contributing to all aspects of HKRAC's refugee legal aid service provision. The SA provides direct legal services, supports partners providing legal services, and contributes to the work of the legal team.

Reporting relationships:

The SA is supervised by the Legal Director (LD) for all technical matters related to HKRAC's legal services. The SA is managed by the Executive Director (ED) for tasks related to partnerships and human resource matters.

Duration of position:

12 months, with review after this date

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide assessment; direct legal services, including advice, limited and full representation; and referrals, and manage a caseload assigned by the LD;
• Support partners and contribute to the work of the legal team by training, supervising, and overseeing legal services provided by partners and other members of the legal team, including pro bono and community volunteers, clinic students, and staff;
• Contribute to HKRAC's monitoring and evaluation system;
• Participate in refugee legal aid training weekends by presenting at least one core session, and contribute to other HKRAC trainings;
• Contribute to maintaining positive working relationships within the staff team and with other stakeholders;
• Contribute to developing organisational strategy, networking with strategic partners, fundraising, and whole-of-office initiatives;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the ED.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Qualified lawyer in any jurisdiction, preferably Hong Kong;
• A minimum of 2 years' experience in refugee or human rights law preferred;
• A minimum of 2 years' experience in managing and supervising pro bono and/or community volunteers, students, or staff preferred;
• A minimum of 2 years' experience as an associate in a US or UK corporate law firm preferred;
• Excellent interviewing skills, preferably including through interpreters, and legal research and drafting skills;
• A demonstrated commitment and sensitivity toward vulnerable and/or displaced people, including women, children, families, and those from diverse cultural backgrounds;
• Fluent in both spoken and written English;
• Strong public speaking, training and group facilitation skills.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your statement of interest, CV, and a 5-page legal writing sample to info@hkrac.org by 14 June with the subject line "Staff Attorney". Interviews will be conducted before the end of June, with overseas candidates being interviewed via Skype. The selected candidate is expected to commence employment by the beginning of September 2013. Due to the high volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Staff Attorney, Safe Horizon, Brooklyn, NY

Staff Attorney

Posted on: May 16, 2013
Application deadline: July 12, 2013
Posted by: Safe Horizon

DESCRIPTION

The Staff Attorney, using complete autonomy and independence, provides legal representation to domestic violence victims in family offense, custody, visitation and child support cases in Family Court.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Conducts in depth interviews with victims of domestic violence, compiles history and investigates to corroborate charges.
• Drafts all legal documents and makes all court appearances with DV victims.
• Prepares witnesses and client for court appearances
• Responsible for assisting clients with a holistic range of services, including advocacy on not-legal issues.
• Exercises complete decision making authority over each client's case.
• Provides legal information advocacy and referrals to individual who reach out to the DVLP helpline.
• Maintains clients' case files and all internal data logs.
• Maintains monthly statistical reports documenting case representation, provision of legal advocacy and referrals.
• Provides statistical data to 5 to 10 funders.
• Conducts presentations and trainings to community based organizations and other service providers to promote the mission of the agency.
• Attends meetings to discuss policy issues affecting client population.
• Develops and maintains relationships with individuals, organizations and government agencies within the domestic violence and legal community in New York City.
• Participates in the Lawyer's Committee against Domestic Violence and other advocacy/policy groups.
• Serves as an internal resource to Safe Horizon staff, answering questions and making educational presentations.
• Contributes to the employment, supervision and oversight of support staff, volunteers and student interns.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong oral and written communications skills, including the ability to convey legal concepts to lay people.
• The ability to write routine reports, court documents, case notes, pleadings and correspondence in a clear, concise and effective manner is essential.
• Must be creative and have critical thinking skills.
• Must be a persuasive and effective public speaker.
• Prior experience organizing and executing group trainings and information exchanges is preferred. Must possess demonstrated appropriate communications skills with client populations, colleagues and court staff.
• Problem-solving, prioritizing, time management, team-building and organizational skills are also essential.
• Must be familiar with legal services, resources and procedures available in New York City.
• Must possess a knowledge and understanding of economic issues facing domestic violence victims, including but not limited to housing, public benefits and child support.
• Strong networking skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with various individuals, organizations and government agencies is essential.
• A strong commitment to working exclusively with victims of domestic violence is required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited law school, be admitted to the New York State Bar and have 2 to 4 years of related experience.
• New graduates who have completed an approved fellowship may be considered.
• Must have prior experience in and/or thorough knowledge of family law, crisis intervention, criminal justice system, working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, family violence, poverty law, feminist law and/ social justice work.

HOW TO APPLY

Please follow link to apply for this position:
https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=5138731

We are an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate on the bases of race, age, gender, gender identity, or gender expression.


All prospective job candidates must meet screening requirements, which includes a background check, finger printing and State Central Registry clearance.

Staff Attorney - Housing, California Rural Legal Assistance, Santa Monica, CA

Staff Attorney - Housing

Posted on: May 11, 2013
Application deadline: July 10, 2013
Posted by: California Rural Legal Assistance

DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Directing Attorney or Project Director, the Staff Attorney provides comprehensive legal services to eligible clients in CRLA priority areas in accordance with CRLA program guidelines, the ABA Standards for Providers of Civil Legal Services and the Code of Professional Responsibility.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Provides legal service to low income clients and client groups including advice, negotiation, litigation and administrative advocacy in accordance with program priorities and case handling policies.
- Reviews and supervises the work product of Community Workers and Clerical support staff relating to all clients being advised or represented by him/her.
- Undertakes significant statewide impact activity, including institutional and group litigation or community economic development beneficial to the low income community.
- Develops leadership in working with community, client and other advocacy groups related to statewide impact issues.
- Works to develop specialized knowledge in a substantive area of poverty law and acts as a resource for other staff through participation in at least one CRLA task force.
- Coordinates advocacy in substantive areas through collaboration with other human services providers, non-profit organizations and community, client or other advocacy groups.
- Participates in CRLA training programs, local office case review or staff meetings or other CRLA activities as required.
- Provides community education regarding legal rights and prepares materials relating to these presentations.
- Works with members of the private bar as necessary in accordance with CRLA Private Bar Involvement.
- Maintains contemporaneous time records in the CRLA case handling system.
- Maintains a good working relationship with all members of the office staff.
- Utilizes basic capabilities of word processing program.
- Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

- Admitted to practice law before the court of any state.
- Admitted to practice law in the State of California or willingness to take the next California Bar Exam.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with low income clients.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Ability to meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
- Good people skills and the ability to maintain positive relations with a diverse population.


SALARY: $42,000.00 to $67,500.00 based upon bar admission date.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to the CRLA Human Resources Department at hr@crla.org. E-mail attachments in Word only, or copy and paste cover letter and resume into body of e-mail. Include "Staff Attorney – Housing – Santa Maria" in subject line of e-mail.

WOMEN AND MINORITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
CRLA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.