Protective Order Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

About LAWS- and Why This Role Matters

Serving Loudoun since 1984 · Free · Confidential · Trauma-informed · Survivor-centered

For more than 40 years, LAWS has been where Loudoun County turns when domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, or child abuse shatters a life. It began in 1984 with three local women, $3,000, and immeasurable determination; a year later, they opened the county's first- and still only- emergency shelter for survivors fleeing domestic violence. Today, LAWS is the County's designated provider of free, confidential services for survivors: a 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, on-staff attorneys providing free legal representation (the only domestic violence and sexual assault nonprofit in Virginia to do so), trauma therapy for children and adults, hospital accompaniment, bilingual services, prevention education, and the Loudoun Child Advocacy Center. LAWS also holds the county's response together- coordinating the Domestic Abuse Response Team, co-leading the Sexual Assault Response Team, and convening the child-abuse Multidisciplinary Team- so help arrives coordinated rather than fragmented.

The need has never been greater. In fiscal year 2025 alone, LAWS answered 1,256 crisis calls- 162 of them flagged as potential homicide risks- and provided 4,291 nights of safe shelter to 178 people, more than half of them children. Its advocates logged 5,224 hours alongside 707 survivors; its attorneys secured 36 protective orders; and its Child Advocacy Center conducted 197 forensic interviews for children. Since 2019, survivors report abuse that is dramatically more dangerous- weapons used or threatened up 77 percent, and homelessness caused by domestic violence up 161 percent. Through all of it, LAWS never turns a survivor away and stewards its resources so carefully that 73 cents of every dollar goes straight to services- earning it 2025 Best Nonprofit in Loudoun.

Every survivor who comes through our doors has already shown extraordinary courage by asking for help. Our responsibility as a community is to make sure that when they do, we have a place worthy of that courage.

Where This Role Comes In – Protective Order Attorney

The Protective Order Attorney is a key member of LAWS' Legal Services team, providing trauma-informed legal counsel and representation to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. With a primary focus on protective-order matters, this role helps survivors navigate the civil justice system, pursue safety, and make informed decisions about their futures.

Working collaboratively with the Director of Legal Services, advocates, and other members of the LAWS team, the attorney helps strengthen coordinated support for survivors across Loudoun County. The role also advances LAWS' more than 30-year commitment to accessible legal services and contributes legal expertise to multidisciplinary teams, professional networks, outreach, training, and grant reporting.

Primary Duties:

• Provide protective order legal consultations to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking
• Represent clients in the civil justice system, primarily in protective order matters
• Actively participate in Loudoun Domestic Abuse Response Team
• Participate in relevant bar associations, work groups, task forces
• Act as back up to the Director of Legal Services/Family Law attorney
• Timely and accurately enter and maintain client case management data
• Assist Legal Services Director in completing reporting requirements
• Maintain up to date knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and legislation related to survivors of domestic and sexual violence
• Participate in trainings, awareness month events, outreach activities

Organizational Values

• Empathy
• Accountability
• Empowerment
• Adaptability
• Effective Communication

Required Education and Experience

• Member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar and licensed to practice law in Virginia
• Juris Doctor
• 1 year of experience
• Recent law school graduates who have taken the Virginia Bar Exam and are awaiting results may also be considered, contingent on passing the exam and admission to the Virginia State Bar

Preferred

• Previous working experience with domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, or stalking cases
• Bilingual
• Exposure to trauma informed lawyering principles

LAWS is an equal opportunity employer.

LAWS is a drug-free workplace