Attorney - Justice Center

Attorney -       Justice Center 

Work Week:   40 hours (required to work some evenings)

                         Required to work in-person (not a work from home position)

FLSA Status:  Exempt         EOE

Reports to:      Director of Legal Services

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Job Summary: PA licensed and PA barred attorney to provide domestic violence survivors with legal representation and advocacy. 

 Responsibilities:

• Maintain strict confidentiality of all client identification and information. May disclose confidential information only with valid, informed consent from a client or a party legally authorized to consent on behalf of client.
• Assist survivors with filing Temporary Protection from Abuse Orders and represent clients at Final Protection from Abuse hearings.
• Assist survivors with filing for emergency custody in family violence cases.
• Assist survivors with individual advocacy including return of personal property or other belongings, advocate on behalf of the client with other service providers.
• Provide victim advocacy and/or accompaniment to a law enforcement agency in order to provide victim support during the interview.
• Ensure the legal services adequately meet the needs of domestic violence survivors.
• Provide survivors with information about the criminal justice process, victim rights, and referrals to other systems.  
• Work in partnership with the District Attorney’s Office and Family Court Administration to coordinate the referrals of domestic violence cases to DVCCC.
• Work with the Director of Legal Services, the CEO and other staff leaders to ensure services are provided at the Chester County Justice Center.
• Work with DVCCC legal advocates to provide services to clients.
• Assist in the preparation of progress and data reports specific to legal services. 
• Maintain valid law license in PA and complete required CLE credits.

 Team Work

• Assist with answering hotline in the Justice Center and/or office line.
• Participate in all agency-wide events: 45-hour advocate training; October Awareness; volunteer recognition, various celebrations, fairs, etc.
• Attend staff meetings and other required meetings.
• Assist with accomplishing agency-wide annual goals and objectives.
• Assist with keeping the facility clean and neat.
• Prepare a monthly progress and challenge report for supervisor.
• Work with staff to coordinate services for victim/survivors.
• Establish effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and a variety of internal and external colleagues.
• Attend Chester County Bar Association meetings/functions to inform fellow lawyers of DVCCC’s services and funding needs.

Skills and Qualifications

• Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines.
• Able to meet with and speak to multiple survivors quickly and efficiently at the Justice Center in order to obtain relevant information for court filings on deadlines while maintaining a trauma-informed approach.
• Strong commitment to the mission and goals of DVCCC, professional work goals and personal development.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of issues confronted by survivors of abuse. 
• Able to work with survivors of abuse and their children. Able to work with a diverse population and assist them with addressing trauma. 
• Knowledge of civil, criminal and family court systems, and community agency support services available to victims of domestic violence.
• Attorney court representation experience.
• Excellent organization skills and ability to write legal pleadings, briefs, etc.
• Able to work independently on projects and assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and internal and external colleagues.

 Other Requirements

 Training

• Complete PCADV’S required 45-hour counselor/advocate training and PCCD’s training requirements.
• Annually complete required courses to maintain law license.
• Participate in Family Law Section of Chester County Bar Association to stay current with amendments to Family Law legislation and procedure.

Physical Requirements: 

Much of the work performed is sedentary in nature yet may require the employee to exert themselves with minimal force and/or be able lift or move light objects associated with the job responsibilities.

 Environment and Conditions

The incumbent’s typical place of work is an office environment and thus will not be substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

 Disclaimer

• The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE 

• Required Juris Doctorate and a licensed member of the Pennsylvania Bar
• Experience working with Family Law