Staff Attorney - Domestic Violence​/Sexual Assault

Staff Attorney - Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault

Join to apply for the Staff Attorney – Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault role at National Legal Aid & Defender Association
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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, the Staff Attorney will provide legal services to DV/SA victims in other civil areas such as public benefits, disability benefits, housing and consumer law that relate to domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

We encourage applicants with a wide range of substantive legal experience to apply. We expect the candidate to grow and adapt their practice to the needs of the community and the organization. The ideal candidate must have caring, patience, and emotional maturity to help low‑income people overcome crisis situations.

The beginning salary for a Staff Attorney at LawNY with no experience is $75,000 and for a Staff Attorney with thirty years of experience is $111,100. Salary is based on experience. LawNY is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF).

• 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 can work from home up to 3 days per week; after 6 months, up to 5 days per week with manager approval)

• 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 representation and legal advice and supportive services through the criminal justice process, as well as representation in other civil matters related to victimization.
• Provide legal services to low‑income clients and client groups regarding advice, negotiation, litigation and administrative advocacy.
• Interact respectfully with clients and staff from a wide range of backgrounds, with an awareness of cultural competence and humility.
• Collaborate with LawNY® advocates, human services providers, non‑profit organizations and community groups as well as courts, administrative tribunals and the private bar to address legal problems within our community, including providing community legal education.
• Cooperate in all grant reporting requirements, program reporting, timekeeping, file maintenance, case closing and compliance review.

• Litigation and advocacy experience in local, state and/or federal court and/or administrative forums within at least one other area of poverty law.
• Experience incorporating an anti‑racist and anti‑oppressive lens into legal practice.
• Understanding of structural and institutional racism and their impact on underserved communities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to trauma‑informed services.
• Excellent use of Google Drive/GSuite, Word, Excel; database programs such as Lexis Nexis and Westlaw.
• Experience or lived experience with client communities.
• Fluency in a language other than English spoken by clients.
• Passion for social justice and commitment to the mission of LawNY.

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY®) is a not‑for‑profit law firm that provides free civil legal services to clients with low‑income in a 14‑county area of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier. LawNY® has seven fully staffed field offices and satellite offices, and a business office in Rochester. Over 180 employees work across areas of specialization to bring a holistic approach to legal issues affecting clients and community.

Legal Assistance of Western New York® is an equal‑opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. All applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, veteran status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or any other consideration protected by law, are welcome to apply.