Associate Attorney & LTE Associate Attorney
Application deadline: August 9, 2019
Employer: End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin - RISE Law Center
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Are you searching for a meaningful position where you can use your law degree to make a positive difference in our ever-changing world? Do you want to contribute to a mission focused on ending domestic abuse and oppression and promoting social change? Are you looking for an opportunity to lead and learn from other leaders working in the movement to end abuse and oppression? If you answered yes to these questions, then this may be the position for you! The RISE Law Center is searching for two strong social justice advocates for the role of Associate Attorney. One position is for a full time attorney, the other is for an LTE attorney. The job description is the same.
The Associate Attorney provides direct legal services to underrepresented populations, particularly immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Using a trauma informed approach, the attorney provides legal representation in immigration matters, protection orders and family law, as well as legal training and technical assistance to partner agencies.
Primary responsibilities
Legal representation of victims and survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence
- Provide representation to clients in immigration applications, interviews and court proceedings including, but not limited to: U & T Visa Petitions, VAWA & Family Based Petitions, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Asylum, Adjustment of Status and other related immigration matters
- Provide representation to clients in family law matters, including, but not limited to: divorce, legal separation, annulment, custody and placement, paternity, child support, property division and other related matters
- Provide representation to clients in domestic abuse injunction hearings and other protection orders, as well as coordinate appropriate safety measures with the court
- Perform client intakes, assess client’s legal issues, provide informed legal advice and recommendations to client and identify differing strategies based on client’s specific circumstances and needs
- Research and prepare legal documents, including pleadings, motions, orders, stipulations, legal memoranda, briefs, and immigration forms
- Understand and keep current with courtroom decorum and policies as well as local court rules
- Represent clients in court appearances, including evidentiary hearings, status conferences and trials, in order to advocate for clients’ best interests, telephonically and in person both in immigration proceedings and circuit courts in varying counties
- Collaborate with other attorneys, interns, and staff at RISE and End Abuse
- Train and coordinate interns, volunteer attorneys and law students providing case management and client representation
Commitment to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Agencies (Project Partners)
- Receive and process referrals from/to project partner agencies
- Provide training and legal technical assistance to advocates
- Organize, attend and support RISE training sessions and events
- Collaborate with culturally specific programs to provide cultural awareness and competency trainings to project partners
- Maintain and develop skills and knowledge by attending training; especially as it relates to victimization and trauma, intimate partner violence and sexual violence
- Promote and maintain professional relationships with partner agencies
- Attend RISE and End Abuse meetings
Administrative
- Perform conflicts checks, open and close files, keep electronic and paper files organized
- Keep track of deadlines, time and billable hours
- Organize and build case load as well as maintain client base
- Maintain accurate and up to date client, program and agency records, including statistics and case tracking, and assist with grant writing and reporting as needed
- Answer phones, take messages, mail, copy, scan, fax, and perform other office administrative duties as needed
Leadership
- Provide training, mentorship and supervision to legal assistants and interns
- Manage own case load and assist in office case load management
- Opportunity to participate in
- statewide and nationwide groups and committees on domestic and sexual abuse, teen dating violence, human trafficking and stalking
- statewide training on legal issues affecting victims and survivors
- statewide and nationwide committees on legal issues impacting immigrant survivors
- grant-writing and other high-level administrative tasks
Qualifications
An ideal candidate will have a passion for social justice work particularly empowering survivors and ensuring meaningful access to the legal system for immigrants and refugees. This person should be cognizant of the needs of victims and have the ability to work closely with others to provide holistic supportive services to clients. The strongest candidate for this position would be someone who is driven, responsible, empathetic, supportive, encouraging and enthusiastic about the goals and success of RISE Law Center.
Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
- Licensed by, active and in good standing with the Wisconsin State Bar
- Valid driver’s license and insurance and/or access to reliable transportation
- Ability to assimilate and analyze facts and build legal strategies on a case-by-case basis
- Excellent written and verbal communication and advocacy skills
- Adept in Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with survivors or with a demonstrated understanding of dynamics of sexual assault and domestic violence is preferred
- Experience working with traditionally underserved populations is a plus
- Must be comfortable working with individuals with limited English proficiency
- Spanish or Hmong language fluency is preferred
This description is intended to indicate the kinds of duties and levels of work difficulty that will be required and should not be construed as specifying all of the duties and responsibilities of a particular position.
Agency responsibilities
It is the responsibility of every End Abuse employee to uphold the mission and vision of the agency. End Abuse works to advance the principle that all people have the right to a life free of oppression and violence. We work to foster change in our economic, social and political systems and bring leadership expertise and best practices to Wisconsin domestic abuse programs and communities engaged in ending domestic violence.
It is also an expectation that on the individual level all staff members will work to further their personal capacity to foster an environment of cultural inclusivity and sensitivity that is the foundation for all our work.
We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and value a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment.
Salary and Benefits: The salary range for these two positions is $45,000-$60,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits for FTE include health insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, employee assistance program, and generous paid vacation, holidays and sick leave. LTE positions will have limited benefits.
Application instructions
If you wish to apply for these positions, please submit a complete application package, including:
- The END ABUSE application form (signed):
- A current resume;
- A cover letter;
- A one-page, double-spaced essay describing your understanding of domestic abuse.
You must include all of the above listed information by the deadline for full consideration.
Send your complete application to:
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin
HIRING COMMITTEE
1245 E. Washington Ave, Suite 150
Madison, WI 53703
OR
Email to: apply@endabusewi.org
OR
Fax to: 608.255.3560
Application Due Date: Applications received by July 22, 2019 will be given full consideration. The positions will remain open until filled. Apply early for full consideration.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to arrest or conviction, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability or veteran status. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact the Operations Manager, Angie Trudell Vasquez, at angietv@endabusewi.org or by calling 608-255-0539 x 303.
Application deadline: August 9, 2019
Sorry, we are no longer accepting applications for this position.
