Staff Attorney

PLEASE NOTE: This position will also include managerial responsibilities and has the potential to expand based upon funding.

About Wafa House: Wafa House is a nonprofit organization which specializes in serving the needs of survivors of domestic violence. This organization offers a range of services with a culturally sensitive approach including clinical mental health services, social services, and legal advocacy and representation. Our legal clinic serves domestic violences survivors in family law matters and in final restraining order hearings.

Staff Attorney Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead all phases of litigation from onboarding client to taking case to trial, including but not limited to: consultation, client interviews, supporting client in navigating the legal system for which client is being represented, representation of client at hearings, mediations, and trials, case development, drafting pleadings, and, when appropriate, drafting and responding to discovery requests, taking and defending depositions, preparing and issuing subpoenas, arguing motions, and preparing clients for trials;
• Prepare in advance for effective advocacy in court and oral argument;
• Delegate tasks to paralegal, as necessary;
• Communicate with client about legal advice, case strategy, etc.;
• Review and finalize any documents to be filed with the court and correspondence sent externally;
• Draft motions, certifications, petitions, judicial forms, etc;
• Prepare the client for what to expect for court/ reviewing testimony, if necessary, as well as answering any legal questions or concerns they have.
• Communicate with Wafa House on important case updates;
• Create meaningful relationships with clients for rapport-building;
• Provide information and education to understand the dynamics of domestic violence;
• Build and maintain databases and files;
• Organize and track case files;
• build and maintain relationships with pro bono and private partnering agencies/attorneys;
• prepare reports for tracking data;
• participate in and create educational content for social media or the occasional outreach event;
• Show commitment to the organization’s values and principles;
• Show commitment to the vision and the mission of Wafa House.

Qualifications:

• Experience identifying legal challenges;
• Experience developing and bringing a case to trial from beginning to end;
• Ideally 3+years of litigation experience in family law, and familiar with sensitivity of domestic violence;
• Proven leadership abilities and collaboration skills both within an internal team of advocates and among peer organizations;
• Admission in good standing to the New Jersey Bar Association;
• Ability to develop and bring a case from beginning to end, including frequent trials for restraining orders and sometime divorces;
• Familiarly with the NJ rules of procedure and evidence;
• Experience working with domestic violence survivors and understands the sensitive nature of the issues and nuances with working within this field;
• Must relate well to clients in a caring, professional and unbiased manner;
• Effective verbal and written communication;
• Strong and defined sense of professional boundaries;
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to create meaningful connections with other agencies;
• Proven leadership abilities and collaboration skills both within an internal team and independently;
• Ability to think on one’s feet and respond professionally and respectfully;
• Successful in working collaboratively and harmoniously with the Wafa House team;
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills;
• Resourceful and able to work with minimal supervision;
• Proven ability to interact efficiently and communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• encouraged to apply if you are bilingual, especially Arabic-speaking, as the majority of our clients speak Arabic, and some other languages which require translation services.

Personal:

• Must relate well to clients in a caring, professional and unbiased manner;
• Must be able to adapt to a fast
• paced environment when there are deadlines and “emergency” situations that require immediate attention;
• Someone who is willing to go “above and beyond” when the situation calls for it;
• Culturally sensitive;
• Successful in working collaboratively with the Wafa House team;
• Proven ability to interact efficiently and communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds;
• Has a “heart” for the work and is purpose driven;
• Works well within a team and leading a team;
• Coachable and adaptable, while also desiring to grow professionally.

This job is for "part time" 30 hours/week. We offer a family-friendly, flexible hybrid schedule. Salary offered is between 62,000-$65,000 for this position, commiserate to level of experience in the field.

Candidates are encouraged to apply especially if they are Arabic speaking or bi-lingual in any other language.