Staff Attorney

The mission of Shalom Task Force, Inc. (STF) is to combat and prevent domestic violence and foster healthy and safe relationships and families. STF focuses its work within the Jewish community, particularly serving individuals who may face barriers to accessing traditional services and who benefit from culturally responsive programming. STF is committed to the principle that everyone has the right to be safe in their relationships and families.

STF advances its mission through three primary departments. The Hotline/Chatline provides free, confidential emotional support, safety planning, and referrals. The Education Department provides awareness, prevention education, resources, and workshops to professionals, community members, and youth focused on healthy relationships and abuse prevention. The Legal Department provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive legal services to survivors of intimate partner violence and gender-based violence.

About the Legal Department

The STF Legal Department provides high-quality, trauma-informed, culturally competent, and innovative legal services addressing the family, matrimonial, and immigration needs of low-income survivors of intimate partner violence and gender-based violence throughout New York City. The Department also provides advice, counsel, and brief legal services to survivors throughout New York State.

For more than a decade, STF's Legal Department has pioneered domestic violence advocacy and litigation tailored to the unique cultural and religious needs of Jewish survivors. Attorneys provide advice, brief services, advocacy, and direct representation in matters involving orders of protection, custody and visitation, child and spousal support, divorce, and domestic violence-related immigration proceedings.

The Staff Attorney will maintain an active caseload and work closely with attorneys, paralegal/victim advocates, and other STF staff to provide comprehensive, survivor-centered legal assistance.

Responsibilities

Direct Legal Services and Case Management

• Provide advice, brief services, and direct legal representation to survivors in matters involving orders of protection, custody and visitation, child and spousal support, divorce, and, where appropriate, immigration proceedings.
• Maintain a full caseload of family and matrimonial matters.
• Conduct client intake, legal assessment, and case evaluation.
• Provide trauma-informed safety planning and help clients understand their legal rights and options.
• Prepare pleadings, motions, affirmations, correspondence, settlement documents, and other legal materials.
• Appear in court and advocate for clients throughout litigation and settlement proceedings.
• Maintain timely and accurate case notes, case data, and documentation required for grants, funders, and internal program management.

Client Advocacy and Systems Coordination

• Advocate on behalf of clients with courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, government agencies, social service providers, and other institutions.
• Communicate and coordinate with personnel from courts, government agencies, social service organizations, and community-based providers.
• Assist clients in navigating legal and related service systems.
• Participate in case consultation and interdisciplinary coordination within STF.

Training, Outreach, and Community Partnerships

• Participate in community outreach, task forces, coalition meetings, and professional events.
• Present or assist with trainings for legal professionals, service providers, and community members, including CLE programming when appropriate.
• Maintain and develop relationships with legal services organizations, social service agencies, and community partners.
• Help strengthen referral pathways and awareness of STF's legal services.

Program and Departmental Support

• Participate in Legal Department initiatives and special projects.
• Assist with data collection, grant-related reporting, and program evaluation as needed.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of internal practices and procedures.
• Participate in team meetings, case review, and professional development activities.

Organizational Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with attorneys, paralegal/victim advocates, and other STF staff.
• Coordinate with other STF departments when clients have overlapping legal, support, or referral needs.
• Perform other duties consistent with the needs of the Legal Department and STF's mission.

Qualifications and Skills

Required Qualifications

• J.D. degree and admission to the New York State Bar.
• Approximately 2-5 years of legal experience in family and matrimonial law, domestic violence-related legal services, or legal services for underserved populations.
• Strong legal research, writing, advocacy, and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational and case-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple matters, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with clients from diverse cultural, religious, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds.
• Understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse, coercive control, trauma, and survivor-centered advocacy.
• Ability to work independently while seeking supervision and consultation appropriately.
• Commitment to Shalom Task Force's mission and culturally responsive approach to service delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience practicing family or matrimonial law in New York State.
• Experience representing survivors of domestic violence or gender-based violence.
• Experience in immigration law, particularly remedies available to survivors of domestic violence.
• Experience working in a nonprofit legal services setting.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position. STF maintains a hybrid work policy for staff whose responsibilities do not require full-time in-office presence. Under STF's current policy, most staff are expected to work in the office or perform other in-person work at least two days per week. This policy is subject to change based on organizational and programmatic needs.

Salary

The salary range for the Staff Attorney position is $80,000-$94,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.