Represent immigrant/refugee victims and survivors of sexual violence
SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Director of Legal Services in Madison, the Associate Attorney provides direct legal representation to immigrant/refugee victims and survivors in various areas of law. Using a trauma informed approach, the Associate Attorney provides representation in immigration matters, protection orders and family law, as well as legal training and technical assistance to partner agencies, and outreach to domestic violence and sexual assault agencies, other organizations, and culturally-specific communities. This position is highly confidential and requires a high degree of professionalism, self-motivation and empathy. This is an exempt, full-time position.
Primary responsibilities
A. 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
B. 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
C. 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
D. Leadership
- Provide training, mentorship and supervision to legal assistants and interns
- Manage own caseload and assist in office caseload 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
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 what all the duties and responsibilities of a particular position shall be.
This is a permanent full-time position. This position starts at $53,000 annually commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an employee assistance program, a sabbatical program and generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
End Abuse honors the dignity and welfare of all its staff and supports a healthy work-life balance.
Qualifications
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/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, insurance, and access to a safe reliable private vehicle
- 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, SharePoint and One Drive
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with survivors or with a demonstrated understanding of dynamics of sexual assault and domestic violence
- Experience working with traditionally underserved populations
- Non-profit agency work/volunteer experience
- Must be comfortable working with individuals with limited English proficiency
- Spanish or Hmong language fluency
Agency responsibilities
It is the responsibility of every End Abuse employee to uphold the mission and vision of this 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. All employees of End Abuse are expected to engage in regular participation in End Abuse activities such as campaigns, awareness activities, training, and other events. This could include, but is not limited to, sharing information with networks, staffing events, assisting in planning or other logistics, outreach to supporters and/or donors as needed.
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.
The Associate Attorney is working toward social legal justice for immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. It is important that the Associate Attorney is self-motivated, can multi-task, and enjoys setting and meeting goals (achiever); displays compassion and hopefulness while understanding the views of others and using the right tone and words to discuss sensitive matters (empathy); and produces high quality work product and follows through on commitments to clients, co-workers and the organization (responsibility).
Application instructions
If you wish to apply for this position, please submit a complete application package, including:
- A current resume;
- A one-page cover letter;
- A one-page, double spaces essay describing your understanding of domestic abuse;
- End Abuse Employment Application form (signed)
Send your completed application package by email to: apply@endabusewi.org
We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Apply by February 7th for early consideration. Position officially closes Monday, February 28th at 5PM CST.
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.