Consultation Attorney, Family Law

Job Description

Job Description

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 12 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Sanctuary for Families seeks an experienced family law attorney to focus on legal consultations and pro se services for clients who come to the Bronx Family Justice Center seeking assistance with family offense, custody/visitation, and child/spousal support proceedings, as well as matrimonial matters. The Consultation Attorney will provide civil legal screenings and legal consultations, assist pro se clients by drafting family law petitions and other filings, represent a small caseload of clients, and coordinate and conduct Sanctuary’s pro se clinics. The Consultation Attorney will provide technical assistance to FJC partner agencies, conduct community outreach, training and education in Bronx, actively engage in advocacy committees and task forces, and collaborate with other agencies to advocate for systemic change. They will coordinate and supervise staff attorneys, project assistants, pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers. The Consultation Attorney will work out of our Bronx Family Justice Center office and will report to the Associate Program Director and Senior Program Director of the Family Law Project at the Bronx Family Justice Center.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides initial civil legal screenings and any necessary follow-up legal consultations to clients seeking family law assistance, including drafting of pro se petitions and other filings 
• In collaboration with the Associate Program Director and Senior Program Director, creates, implements, coordinates and conducts ongoing family law legal clinics to assist clients in drafting pro se petitions for Family and Supreme Courts.
• Collaborates with FJC family law projects across the five FJC’s to create, implement and coordinate pro se services and clinics and collaborates with other SFF legal projects.
• Supervises and mentors staff attorneys, project assistants, pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers.
• In collaboration with the Associate Program Director and Senior Program Director, participates in the recruiting and onboarding of project assistants. 
• Assists Associate Program Director and Senior Program Director with performance evaluation of legal support staff.
• Together with the Associate Program Director and Senior Program Director, participates in internal management audits and reviews, and designs and implements program improvements using outcome-based evaluations, among other tools
• Provides direct representation to a small caseload of clients in family law matters, including matrimonial, family offense, custody and visitation, and child and spousal support cases.
• Provides other advocacy as needed, including the criminal legal and child protective systems.
• Facilitates clients’ access to intra-agency and outside resources, and administers provision of direct financial assistance and donations to clients.
• Provides technical assistance to FJC partner agencies.
• Conducts community outreach, training and education.
• Actively engages in advocacy committees and task forces, and collaborates with other agencies to advocate for systemic change.
• Participates in interagency conferences and legal/ bar association committee meetings to keep abreast of developments in the areas of pro bono, domestic violence, and legal remedies for victims of domestic violence.
• Performs any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor.

Requirements:

• J.D. degree
• Admission to the NY Bar
• (3) or more years of relevant family law experience required
• Foreign language skills a plus
• Strong lawyering, advocacy, and leadership skills
• Enjoy working collaboratively and be comfortable speaking in public
• Highly motivated to provide zealous, knowledgeable, culturally competent, and empathic legal advocacy to domestic violence victims
• Ability to work well with people from diverse communities and backgrounds

Budgeted Salary: $83,000 - $89,000 per year 

Work position is Full-time, Salaried/Exempt 

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

Benefits:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance 
• Employer-paid life insurance 
• Employer retirement contribution
• Paid time off (Holidays, Vacation, Personal, Sick)
• Generous Leave Policy
• Flexible spending account / Health savings account
• Student loan assistance
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Gym reimbursement program
• Wellness program and rewards

Sanctuary for Families is a welcoming workplace. 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.

Survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.