Senior Staff Attorney, Matrimonial/Economic Justice Project

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Staff Attorney handles uncontested and contested matrimonial and contested family

court actions, in all five boroughs of New York City and oversees Sanctuary’s Uncontested Divorce Project. The Senior Staff Attorney empowers victims of gender based violence by providing them with comprehensive, compassionate, holistic legal services  by providing them with comprehensive, compassionate, holistic legal services through direct representation, collaboration with pro bon attorneys, information and referrals, community education, and client outreach.

RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Provides comprehensive legal services to clients who are victims of gender based violence , including: information and referrals; personal advocacy and accompaniment; emotional support and safety services; and criminal/civil justice assistance and advocacy
• Represents victims of domestic violence in Family and Supreme Court primarily in cases involving: child support, spousal support orders of protection, custody, and visitation issues, matrimonial matters, enforcement or modification actions.
• Recruits, mentors, trains and supervises attorneys, law students, pro bono attorneys and volunteers
• Develops and conducts trainings in the area of matrimonial law and gender violence
• Coordinates the Uncontested Divorce Clinic with law students and the Publication Divorce Clinic with pro bono attorneys,
• Overseeing all aspects, including collaboration with participating law schools and law firms, placing cases with law students and associates, training, supervising, and mentoring the law students and associates
• Supervise law students in their client interaction and drafting of uncontested divorce paperwork
• Supervise, mentor, and collaborate with pro bono attorneys on uncontested, publication, and contested divorces
• Collaborates with other domestic violence advocates practicing in the field of matrimonial and family law
• Builds relationships/partnerships with law firms, law schools, community based organizations, and other agencies to strengthen our practice and increase the visibility of Sanctuary for Families in the legal and domestic violence communities
• Represents Sanctuary for Families on task forces, other political and advocacy committees, and participates in outreaches outside the agency
• Advocates for clients in legal and non-legal forums outside of their matrimonial or family court cases 
• Attends and participates in internal and external agency conferences/webinars and legal/ bar association committee meetings to keep abreast of developments in the areas of pro bono, domestic violence, and matrimonial/family law
• Handles a caseload of family and matrimonial matters 
• Facilitates clients’ access to intra-agency and outside resources 
• Tracks client cases through Salesforce case management system
• Performs related duties or special projects as directed by supervisors

REQUIREMENTS   

•  J.D. and Admission to the New York State Bar
•  Minimum of (5 )years legal experience, preferably in the public interest sector and with past family and matrimonial law experience 
• Ability to handle all aspects of complex matrimonial matters
• Experience working in the gender violence field
• Ability to be self-motivated, work independently, work collaboratively, problem-solve, prioritize and multitask 
• Ability to effectively mentor direct reports and collaborate with all staff
• Knowledge of gender-based oppression and a strong motivation for social change against gender-based violence
• Ability to cooperate well with diverse people and institutions 
• Excellent oral advocacy, public speaking, communication, research, and writing skills 
• Excellent problem solving, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills
• Excellent organizational skills, initiative and attention to detail
• Strong computer skills 
• Proficiency in LexisNexis Legal Research, Salesforce, Microsoft Office suite
• Spanish fluency strongly preferred 
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred 

Work position is Full-time (35hr/wk), Salaried/Exempt

Work schedule is currently Hybrid; may vary based on job site; must be able to meet job location schedule obligations 

Benefits:

•     Health, Dental and Vision Insurance 
•     Employer-paid life insurance 
•     Employer retirement contribution
•     Paid time off
•     Flex spending account 
•     Student loan assistance
•     Tuition reimbursement program
•     Gym reimbursement program  
•     Wellness program and initiatives

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and other categories protected under Federal, New York state or New York city laws. Sanctuary for Families follows the requirements of the Human Rights Law including with regard to non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.

People of color, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.

We recognize that the safety, healing and self-determination of survivors of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence is at the intersection of racial, gender, economic, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and disability justice, as well as many other critical issues. In order to realize our mission, Sanctuary strives to center DEI principles at every level of the organization and continues to deepen that commitment.