What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fast Track Staff Attorney position at Women Against Abuse?
Are you looking for a meaningful career opportunity that will improve the safety of families across Philadelphia? Are you Interested in being a part of an established, vision-oriented nonprofit organization that is experiencing an exciting season of growth? Women Against Abuse, the city’s leading domestic violence service provider, is looking for a Fast Track Staff Attorney at our Legal Center!
WAA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency, is Philadelphia’s leading domestic violence advocate and service provider and among the largest domestic violence agencies in the country. The mission of WAA is to provide quality, compassionate and nonjudgmental services in a manner that fosters self-respect and independence in persons experiencing intimate partner violence and to lead the struggle to end domestic violence through advocacy and community education. With over 170 staff, WAA serves over 11,000 individuals each year through our direct services, education, advocacy and outreach (2 - 100 bed safe havens, 15 transitional housing apartments, aftercare community-based case management services, legal services, hotline counseling, prevention & education, and advocacy).
WAA’s Core Values are Safety, Empowerment, Strength, Hope, Respect, and Integrity and we are committed to a work environment built on honesty, transparency, teamwork, accountability, and a high level of professionalism.
Responsibilities:
The Staff Attorney (Fast Track), provides legal representation to victims of domestic violence in Protection From Abuse and other related cases. The attorney is stationed in court four (4) days per week to provide immediate access to legal representation for victims in Protection From Abuse matters. These legal matters rise out of emergency situations related to domestic violence; may provide legal representation for a specialized group of clients. This attorney conducts client interviews, makes court appearances, represents clients in trials, and performs all necessary legal work; participates in program evaluation and planning to ensure that the Legal Center is improving the legal system’s response to battered women; provides functional supervision of Legal Center staff working on assigned cases; maintains files and ensures client database is up to date and accurate; attends meetings of relevant community programs and legal associations as requested by the Legal Center Director of the Managing Attorney. Also, performs speaking engagements or community trainings as appropriate. Attends staff, team, Legal Center and Agency meetings as required. All responsibilities are implemented according to our mission and values and according to Agency standards.
Qualifications:
A Juris Doctorate, with a current license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required.
Familiarity with the court system in regard to domestic violence issues is strongly preferred.
Experience with legal representation to victims of domestic violence is preferred.
Demonstrated excellent written, oral and interpersonal skills are required.
Demonstrated ability to effectively represent an advocacy agency or function is required.
Demonstrated ability to organize time and detail, including keeping of records is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse population is required.
Demonstrated commitment to service of others is required.
Bilingualism, Spanish/English is strongly preferred.
Will be required to attend 50 hours of Domestic Violence Advocate Training, post hire.
Satisfactory child abuse, criminal and FBI clearances, required (expenses paid by WAA)
Schedule: FT 40 hours/week, Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (4 days in court, 1 day in office)
Salary: up to $62,000.00, depending on experience along with a comprehensive and generous benefits package.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Vaccine Mandate Information: All current & future employees of WAA must have the Covid-19 vaccination. We can provide an accommodation with a proven medical or religious exemption.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color, LGBTQ communities, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.
