STAFF ATTORNEY, Community Law Project, Equal Justice Works Crime Victims Advocacy Program

New York, New York
Sanctuary for Families
Description: ABOUT US

Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 11 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Sanctuary For Families seeks diverse and dynamic applicants for a 24-month, full-time attorney position at Sanctuary For Families as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in the Crime Victims Advocacy Program. Sanctuary For Families has been competitively selected by Equal Justice Works as an implementing partner of Equal Justice Works’ Crime Victims Advocacy Program (CVAP), funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).

Despite the significant expansion of victim assistance services and resources in recent years, access to high-quality civil legal services and victims’ rights enforcement remains limited, especially for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) and other individuals from communities with high levels of disinvestment.

The Crime Victims Advocacy Program will increase legal assistance to crime victims in BIPOC communities by mobilizing and training a network of 21 committed attorney Fellows and 21 law student Fellows who will serve at selected host organizations across the country, expanding the capacity of participating host organizations to provide legal assistance to victims of crime in BIPOC communities and communities with high levels of disinvestment, through the provision of civil legal assistance and victims’ rights enforcement.

Equal Justice Works Fellowship

An Equal Justice Works fellowship is an opportunity to transform your passion for justice into a career. As a Fellow, you will be part of a prestigious cohort of attorneys hosted by legal services organizations across the United States.

As a Fellow, you will develop experience and skills to be a social justice leader while contributing to a broader community of practice.

The Staff Attorney’s primary duties are to provide comprehensive, compassionate legal services through direct representation, advocacy, and consultations on family law matters including custody, visitation, and order of protection cases and working on the Center’s Legal Helpline. The Staff Attorney will also conduct lethality assessments, create safety plans, and provide legal information to victims via the Helpline and at legal clinics.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct representation to clients in family law matters in Family and Supreme Courts in all 5 boroughs;
• Conduct legal clinics with community based organizations;
• Staff the Legal Helpline with the Project’s other attorneys and project assistants;
• Advocate directly for clients with key stakeholders including but not limited to NYPD, District Attorney’s Office, Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), Human Resources Administration (HRA), and Division for Homeless Services (DHS);
• Conduct community-based trainings to potential clients;
• Coordinate and participate in outreach events;
• Co-counsel cases with project, Legal Center and probono attorneys;
• Supports training of junior staff members and/or mentors project assistants, volunteers and interns on all aspects of client contact, litigation support, case management, and/or project development.
• Refer clients to the appropriate in-house and external services and track the status of internal and external referrals;
• Foster and maintain relationships with community-based organizations (CBOs) that refer clients to the Helpline;
• Partner with the Director of Pro Bono Program in identifying cases that are suitable for representation by pro bono attorneys;
• Provide information regarding and assistance in completing Office of Victim Services crime victim compensation applications;
• Build key stakeholder relationships in furtherance of the fellowship objectives
• Engage in peer-to-peer learning as part of the Equal Justice Works Crime Victims Advocacy Program Fellow cohort
• Actively contribute to and participate in Crime Victims Advocacy Program cohort activities (resource exchanges; interactive webinars and conference call with other Cohort and EJW Fellows and Alumni; and in-person trainings including Equal Justice Works Leadership Development Training in Washington DC in Oct 2023 and 2024.
• Contribute to required programmatic reporting
• Maintain accurate and updated records of current and potential clients in the agency’s electronic database; and
• Work closely with the Director and Deputy Director of the Center and all members of the Family Law Project, and other projects within the Legal Department;
• Collaborate with Sanctuary’s Clinical Department;
• Collaborate with Sanctuary’s Economic Empowerment Program;
• Collaborate with the various district attorneys’ offices, other government agencies and community based organizations working to assist victims of gender-based violence.
• Perform any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by the Director and Deputy Director.

Requirements:
• Admission to NY Bar or a Law Graduate who passed the July 2023 bar

• Fluency in a community language including Spanish, Korean or Mandarin is preferred;

• Previous legal services experience, including civil legal aid, law school clinics, and internships is a plus

• Proven leadership skills with a strong work ethic

• Outstanding verbal and written communication

• Some level of experience with delivering trainings or presentations

• Values that are aligned with Equal Justice Works and Sanctuary For Families

• A demonstrated commitment to social justice, with a desire to increase access to justice for underserved and BIPOC communities and achieve results

• Experience working with or connection to underserved, BIPOC communities

• A strong DEI lens

• Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills

• An ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting to facilitate a coordinated community response and provide holistic services to clients

• Sensitivity to sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and other gender-related issues;

Please note: Fellows must commit to fulfilling the 24-month fellowship and will sign a Fellowship Agreement with Equal Justice Works. The Equal Justice Works Crime Victims Advocacy Program attorney will receive an annual salary and health insurance and other benefits through Sanctuary For Families. Interested applicants should contact Sanctuary For Families with any follow-up questions.

Budgeted Salary: $71,436 – $78,097 annually; commensurates with experience based on STEP system

$65,000/yr- Law Graduates on STEP system

Work position is currently Hybrid; must be able to meet job location schedule obligations hybrid

Vaccination Policy: Proof of vaccination or proof of 1st dose with scheduled 2nd dose within 30 days is required.

Benefits:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer retirement contribution
• Paid time off
• Flex spending account
• Student loan assistance
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Gym reimbursement program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program & incentives

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and other categories protected under Federal, New York state or New York city laws. Sanctuary for Families follows the requirements of the Human Rights Law including with regard to non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.

People of color, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.

We recognize that the safety, healing and self-determination of survivors of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence is at the intersection of racial, gender, economic, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and disability justice, as well as many other critical issues. In order to realize our mission, Sanctuary strives to center DEI principles at every level of the organization and continues to deepen that commitment.

• Admission to NY Bar or a Law Graduate who passed the July 2023 bar

• Fluency in a community language including Spanish, Korean or Mandarin is preferred;

• Previous legal services experience, including civil legal aid, law school clinics, and internships is a plus

• Proven leadership skills with a strong work ethic

• Outstanding verbal and written communication

• Some level of experience with delivering trainings or presentations
. click apply for full job details