Staff Attorney

The Staff Attorney reports to the Director of Community Program and manages the TSS legal program, Steps to Justice (STJ). Responsibilities include providing direct legal representation to clients as appropriate, including but not limited to family law, restraining order, and housing cases.

Mission statement: The Second Step, in partnership with survivors of domestic violence, creates safe, supportive community, identifies choices and builds foundations to transcend abuse.

Reports to: Director of Community Program

Hours: Work hours generally 9-5. Evening work when necessary.
This is an exempt position.

Primary Objectives: The Staff Attorney manages the TSS legal program, Steps to Justice (STJ). Responsibilities include:

DIRECT CLIENT SERVICES
· Accept client referrals from both the Community and Residential Programs;
· Provide direct legal representation to clients as appropriate, including but not limited to family law, restraining order, and housing cases;
· Provide legal advice, brief consultation, and/or targeted referrals to outside legal providers as appropriate;
· Ensure compliance with all Board of Bar Overseers (BBO) ethics standards, including confidentiality and ethical conflicts of interest;
· Properly maintain client files and client conflict check database in compliance with BBO standards.

ADMINISTRATIVE
· Collect all relevant program data;
· Generate periodic STJ progress reports;
· Manage STJ malpractice insurance coverage;
· Recruit, hire, and supervise law student interns.

TRAINING / EXTERNAL RELATIONS
· Organize and/or give periodic legal trainings for TSS staff on various relevant legal topics (ex. restraining orders, CORI, family law, immigration);
· Give specialized community-wide trainings for both legal and non-legal professionals on domestic violence and law;
· Advance STJ's profile in the greater legal community by establishing and maintaining relationships with other legal practitioners;
· Participate in legal community collaborations such as policy groups, steering committees, and/or bar associations geared towards domestic violence law;
· Pursue additional funding sources to perpetuate and expand STJ program.

Qualifications:
· JD and admission in good standing to Massachusetts bar;
· Demonstrated experience providing legal services to low-income or otherwise vulnerable clients;
· Experience with clients affected by domestic violence, trauma, and/or mental health issues;
· Background in family law required; experience in restraining order and/or housing law preferred;
· Ability to manage and triage competing priorities;
· Strong crisis management, problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills;
· Ability to work collaboratively & effectively with non-legal Second Step staff;
· Bi-lingual Spanish preferred. Bi-lingual French and/or Haitian Creole a plus.

Salary: Commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, and 403B.