Staff Attorney / Legal Program Coordinator

Primary Responsibilities:

The mission of the Legal Services Program is to provide for the safety of domestic violence survivors and their families through legal services and support. The goal is to ensure that survivors of domestic violence are not further victimized as they navigate through the court system. To achieve this goal, the Legal Program Coordinator (LPC), as an integral member of the Survivor Services team, a multi-disciplinary team including advocates and clinicians, conducts the following activities:

Attorney Referral Panel

The LPC recruits, trains, and maintains the Attorney Referral Panel (Panel). The Panel is made up of local family law attorneys who have taken the center’s Referral Panel Training and accept pro bono and reduced fee referrals for Center clients. The LPC continues to offer support and expertise to the Panel Attorneys throughout the case.

Direct Service:

The LPC provides the following direct services: 1) full legal representation for survivors in the Probate and Family Court and District Court in matters of divorce, custody, visitation, child support, paternity, modifications and 209A abuse prevention order hearings, 2) Limited Assistance Representation to support survivors who represent themselves pro se or by providing representation at key court hearings, 3) referrals to Panel Attorneys for direct legal representation at a pro bono, reduced, or full fee level, 4) legal consultation to survivors to assist them in determining their future choices, and 5) legal information.

Collaboration and Supervision:

The legal program is part of the Survivor Services team. The LPC participates in Survivor Services meetings and provides individual consultation to advocates and clinicians on individual cases. The LPC also provides education, support, and supervision for Survivor Services team members in their legal advocacy role. The LPC works closely with community partners, including the police, probation, and courts to strengthen the community's response to domestic violence and provides training to community partners as requested. The program utilizes the LPC to supervise law student interns, 3:03 certified law students, and program volunteers when opportunities arise. The LPC provides direct supervision for any interns, 3:03 certified law students, or volunteers. Every member of the Survivor Services team takes accountability for addressing the urgent needs of survivors in our communities.

Major Duties:

• Utilize survivor-led, trauma-informed practices to provide services to survivors of domestic violence.
• Conduct initial meetings with clients to determine their legal needs and goals.
• Provide legal representation to survivors who are determined to be at the highest risk and have the lowest ability to secure legal representation.
• Participate in the writing and submission of grants that support the legal program as assigned. Collect data and prepare grant reports on the activities of the legal program as necessary.
• Provide domestic violence survivors with advocacy services, including emotional support, education, crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, systems navigation, and resource referrals.
• Cultivate deep community engagement through coalition work, building relationships with stakeholders, and representing the Center at events. (Attendance of community events is compensated but may occasionally require working outside the typical work schedule)
• Develop and maintain relationships with the local courts, police departments, and private bar.
• Stay abreast of local and national issues in domestic violence, domestic relations law, and mental health.
• Support department and agency efforts to improve service delivery by participating in working groups and helping to develop effective tools and systems. This may include supporting the process of document translation.
• Attend at least two community engagement events per year.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• Member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar
• A minimum of five years’ experience practicing law, including at least three years in family law
• Experience supervising and mentoring others
• Awareness of the dynamics of privilege and oppression (such as white supremacy and heterosexism), how they affect the child welfare, immigration, and criminal justice systems, and their influence on one's lived experience and professional use of self.
• Cultural humility and comfort delivering services with care and sensitivity across all identities, including race, gender identity/expression, sexual identity, and disability status.
• Understand and celebrate gender diversity and gender/racial/Queer justice.
• A commitment to ending violence and promoting social change is a must.
• Demonstrate a willingness to positively contribute to the growth and development of our mission and values.
• Spanish language fluency preferred but not required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook and Word.