Legal Aid seeking committed attorney for Domestic Violence prevention

Family Justice Center Domestic Violence Staff Attorney

Status: 1.00 FTE Exempt

Reports to: Domestic Violence Supervising Attorney

SALARY RANGE: $73,000 - $100,000 annually, depending on years of active Bar experience, plus a generous benefits package.

Legal Aid of Sonoma County (LASC) is a non-profit organization that provides low-income clients assistance with protective orders, eviction defense, guardianships, elder law, and related legal remedies. LASC seeks a domestic violence attorney (DVA) to provide legal services to victims of domestic violence (DV), sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and stalking.

The DVA will be an employee of Legal Aid of Sonoma County (Legal Aid is not a government agency nor affiliated with the Court) but will work on-site at the Family Justice Center in Sonoma County (FJC). Legal Aid’s DV team helps people with protective orders and related legal remedies. Services include assistance with pleadings, legal advice and information, and in-court representation.

The Family Justice Center is a collaboration of the District Attorney’s office, law enforcement, and co-located non-profits serving victims of violence. Staff at the FJC must be able to work well in close quarters with a variety of government agencies and community partners. Legal Aid carries an extensive caseload, and the environment is very fast paced.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Legal Support for Clients:

Provide high quality legal services to Legal Aid’s clients at the FJC including legal intake and case assessment, drafting restraining order applications (including custody applications if applicable); and representing clients in court.

Collaborate on behalf of clients with FJC partners including law enforcement, district attorney, YWCA and other community agencies.

Follow legal case protocol and maintain organized case files.

Provide legal supervision to Legal Aid’s FJC Bilingual Caseworker, and to any Legal Aid volunteers/interns assigned to the FJC.

General:

Attend regularly scheduled partner meetings at the FJC and staff meetings at the Legal Aid offices.

Maintain up-to-date case notes and client demographic data in both the FJC and the Legal Aid online client databases and in Excel.

Conduct various service evaluation activities including follow-up interviews and case management for litigants who received assistance at the FJC.

Collect and maintain statistical records on services provided, as required by funders.

This position is not remote. Applicants must be within commuting distance of the LASC and FJC offices in Santa Rosa, CA. Services are provided on site in person during normal business hours, five days a week.

Other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

Juris Doctorate and Active member of the CA Bar.

Demonstrated ability to work with all persons regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, economic background, immigration status, gender identification, or sexual orientation, with an understanding of the special needs of domestic violence and assault victims.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to work independently and as a member of a diverse team.

Must be flexible, work well under pressure, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively.

A firm commitment to accurate and timely data collection and time reporting (on bi-weekly time sheets and in the client database) is required.

Working knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office, legal forms software programs, and database programs.

Position requires driving, a Valid CA Driver’s License and proof of current automobile insurance are required.

All applicants must abide by LASC’s current COVID related and security protocols.

Must pass the required FJC/Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office background check.

Skills/Experience Desired:

Prior domestic violence law experience preferred.

Two or more years substantial legal representation experience preferred.

Prior legal services experience and/or experience representing low-income or under-served communities.

Bilingual in Spanish

BENEFITS: Legal Aid of Sonoma County provides a dynamic and supportive work environment, and an excellent benefit package after the completion of an initial 90-day introductory period. Benefits include eligibility for company paid health insurance for the employee or cash-in-lieu, company paid dental insurance, eligibility for 401K participation after one year of continuous employment, and very generous paid vacation/sick/holiday leave policies. Note the benefits package is for the employee only, LASC does not provide health or dental coverage for spouses or dependents.

Note that employment at LASC is “at will” and completion of the introductory period does not create an employment contract.

TO APPLY: Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume in response to this post. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Note the posted salary range is firm and DOE.

Legal Aid of Sonoma County is an equal opportunity employer.