Entry Level Bilingual (Spanish-English) Attorney

Servicios de La Raza (SDLR) provides culturally responsive, essential human services and opportunities. The Vista Victim Services department is an integral component of SDLR, offering behavioral health services to clients from diverse ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds.

The Attorney shall provide legal representation, advocacy, and support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and general crime in the pre-decree dissolution of marriage cases, pre-decree allocation of parental responsibilities cases, and protection orders. As part of a holistic and trauma-informed approach to legal practice, the Attorney will work with the supervising attorney, case manager, advocate, and victim support specialist to assist the client in asserting their legal claims for marital interests and parental responsibilities.

Areas of primary focus shall be on family law, safety, and education on victims’ rights within the legal process. Legal representation, advocacy, and support may include providing legal education, reviewing legal documents, drafting legal documents, advising, and assisting the client in preparation of court appearances, limited appearances, full representation, and referrals as needed.

The VISTAS Entry Level Attorney will possess a dedicated interest in working with victims in a family law context and understanding of trauma-informed care. Critically, the VISTAS Entry Level Attorney will have a good understanding of the dynamics and impacts of marginalization, discrimination, bias, and inequities of the social and legal systems within which our clients operate. An over-arching goal of the VISTAS/VOCA Project is to structure safety for survivors of violence and their children.

Job Status: Full Time

Division: VISTAS Project

Location: Denver, Colorado

Reports to: VISTAS Managing Attorney

Duties and Responsibilities: Position Specific

· Work collaboratively with Servicios’ VISTAS Program team members and under supervision of VISTAS managing attorney

· Conduct interviews with clients

· Develop case theory and strategy for representation.

· Prepare pleadings including but not limited to petitions, summons, answers, motions, responses, replies, notices, memoranda of law, briefs, and correspondence as may be needed.

· Prepare cases and represent clients in negotiations, hearings, trials, mediations, and status conferences.

· Provide unbundled legal services to unrepresented clients when appropriate and upon request.

· Keep clients informed on an ongoing basis and counsel them about legal options.

· Monitor and maintain client files in an organized and timely manner.

· Participate in training, community events, and networking activities relevant to family law, domestic violence, and victim advocacy.

· Stay current on the law.

· Participate in Legal Educational Nights for Victim/Survivors and Unbundled Legal Services Legal Clinics

Duties and Responsibilities: General

· All members of the SDLR workforce are expected to support the agency’s community outreach, engagement, and recruitment efforts.

· All members of the SDLR workforce are expected to support and engage in advocacy for social justice, community outreach and engagement, and bringing voice to the voiceless.

· All members of the SDLR workforce are expected to support the agency’s fundraising objectives. Tasks might include activities like active fundraising, grant development, solicitation of donations, agency ambassadorship, informational outreach, and public speaking.

· Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

· Fluid competence in written and spoken Spanish is required

· Commitment to and experience with equity, cultural relevance, diversity, social justice, and disparity reduction practices with persons of color, agencies of color, and un- and underserved communities

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, agency partners, and the public

· Competency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Required Education, Credentialing, and Experience:

· Juris Doctor Degree

· License to Practice Law in Colorado

· 0-3 years of experience minimum in practice of law

· Demonstrated interest in public interest law, family law, and advocacy for victims of sexual, domestic, and physical violence, and crime.

· Demonstrated organizational skills

Working Environment and Physical Requirements

· 110-person workforce situated across multiple regional offices.

· ADA accessible; Active Safety Committee.

· Ability to perform basic office duties.

Salary: $55,000 per year

Benefits:

· An eager, thriving organization committed to serving with excellence.

· Training and other professional development support in the areas of family law, public interest law, and legal victim advocacy.

· SDLR supports Fair Chance hiring and employment practices.

· Generous package including Health, Dental, Vision, Matching 401(k) Savings Plan, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, and Paid Time Off.

Inclusion and Diversity:

Servicios de la Raza is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are a non-profit organization where diverse backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints are valued. Servicios de la Raza does not make hiring, employment or retention decisions based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, age, ethnic or national origin, or any other basis protected by all local, state, or federal laws.

Servicios de La Raza supports Fair Chance Hiring practices.

Contact for further information:

· For more information or to apply for a job opening at SDLR, contact the Director of Employee Resources, Equity & Service Innovation at (303) 458-5851 or by email to [email protected].

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Denver, CO 80204: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Bar (Preferred)

Work Location: In person