Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence - Senior Attorney/Chief Counsel (2 positions)

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security.  The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI.  Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). 
 

Job Summary

• The American Bar Association Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence is seeking a full-time Senior Attorney in our Washington, DC office. As part of the Commission’s Training and Technical Assistance Unit, the Senior Attorney will plan, develop, and host national and regional, multi-day, in-person and virtual continuing legal education programs for attorneys representing victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking violence.
• This position will entail high level substantive legal work. The Senior Attorney will conduct in-depth and complex legal writing and research, manage and support Commission projects, direct educational activities, and provide technical assistance to attorneys across the country. The Senior Attorney will also engage in grant development and fundraising.
• Serves as an expert on domestic and gender-based violence (often considered a national expert), and may supervise the work of other attorneys and staff. Another attorney at this level may collaborate with and supervise this position.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Serve as a principal ABA expert and trainer on law, policy, and best practices in the field of domestic and sexual violence. Conduct legal and policy research and facilitate meetings; develop recommendations and memos. Includes contacts with government entities including officials and with media.

• Design and update substantive curricula and materials for events, develop model documents, and conduct trainings.
• Develop, edit, and publish written resources.
• Provide technical assistance to attorneys in the field, attorney members, or ABA.
• Coordinate virtual and in-person trainings and events, including coordination with training sites and vendors.
• Identify and recruit subject-matter experts as training faculty, and for technical assistance provision.
• Develop publicity and registration materials.
• Manage contracts with consultants.
• Write memoranda, recommendations, speeches, articles, including for publication.
• Analyze laws, regulations, court rules and policies/policy proposals.
• Manage substantive/legal aspects of a project.
• Research, draft, author, review, and critique legislative/rule/policy or regulatory text.
• Manage policy adoption process.
• Manage budgets.
• Identify and develop grant funding opportunities.
• Compile data for drafting, and submitting funder reports.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• JD and active bar admission in at least one jurisdiction.
• At least 6 years of practice or other experience in relevant specialized area of law.
• Substantial experience and high level of skills in policy analysis and scholarly writing, public speaking, and other professional legal writing.
• Grant administration and supplemental subject matter experience may be required.
• Excellent research, writing, speaking, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Deep commitment to ending gender-based violence and an understanding of how interpersonal and institutional power, privilege, and oppression affect the lives of domestic and sexual violence survivors.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Google Suite skills (Jamboard, Google Docs, and Google Drive).
• The ability to be self-directed and capable of managing multiple projects under tight timelines, and with unexpected twists.
• The skills and experience to work effectively with experts to create training materials for attorneys to prove high-quality representation to victims of domestic and sexual violence in civil protection order cases, custody cases, and related civil matters.
• Experience with conference or large-scale event planning.
• Familiarity with United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women-funded programming.
• Experience with public speaking and training adult learners.
• Experience working with victims from traditionally excluded, underrepresented, and/or underserved communities; in particular, victims who are BIPOC and/or LGBTQI+ and living at multiple identity intersections.