Description:
A Non-Profit Organization is a non-profit organization that provides low-income clients assistance with protective orders, eviction defense, guardianships, elder law, immigration, and related legal remedies. LASC seeks a Bilingual Domestic Violence Outreach Attorney to provide legal services to survivors of domestic violence (DV), sexual assault (SA), child abuse, human trafficking, and stalking who reside outside of the metropolitan Santa Rosa corridor and/or have Limited English Proficiency (LEP).The DV Outreach Attorney will be based on-site at the LASC office, the position will require travel throughout Sonoma County to assist both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking survivors in rural and unincorporated areas. Many of these clients lack transportation, have LEP, and are otherwise unable to access legal services and resources.
A Non-Profit Organization's DV team helps people with Domestic Violence and Civil Harassment Restraining Orders, and related legal remedies. Services include assistance with pleadings, legal advice and information, and in-court representation. A Non-Profit Organization carries an extensive caseload, and the environment is very fast paced.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Respond to requests from the public with culturally and linguistically accessible educational materials about DV program services and provide appropriate referral to affiliate agencies and resources.
- Collaborate with our network of community partners to conduct workshops and community education presentations, and to facilitate mobile and remote appointments and services for survivors, at locations throughout the County.
- Provide high quality legal services to survivors of domestic violence with Limited English Proficiency, including legal intake and case assessment, drafting restraining order applications (including custody applications if applicable); and representing clients in court.
- Collaborate on behalf of clients with the LASC DV team, as well as law enforcement, the district attorney's office, and other community agencies.
- Establish a collaboration with the DA's Victim Services Division (VSD) to facilitate rural and LEP survivors' access to the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund.
- Follow legal case protocol and maintain organized case files.
- Provide legal supervision to Legal Aid's Bilingual DV Outreach Caseworker, and to any Legal Aid volunteers/interns assigned to the DV Outreach unit.
- Attend regularly scheduled DV team and staff meetings at the Legal Aid offices.
- Maintain up-to-date case notes and client demographic data in both the Legal Aid online client database (Legal Server) and on Excel.
- Conduct various service evaluation activities including follow-up interviews and case management for litigants who received assistance within this program.
- Collect and maintain statistical records on services provided, as required by funders.
- Other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Juris Doctorate and Active member of the CA Bar.
- At least two years of legal representation experience, preferably working with vulnerable communities.
- At least one year of experience working with survivors of domestic violence.
- Demonstrated ability to work with all persons regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, economic background, immigration status, gender identification, or sexual orientation, with an understanding of the special needs of domestic violence and assault survivors.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a diverse team.
- Must be flexible, work well under pressure, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively.
- A firm commitment to accurate and timely data collection and time reporting (on bi-weekly time sheets and in the client database) is required.
- Working knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office, legal forms software programs, and database programs.
- Valid CA Driver's License and proof of current automobile insurance required.
- This position is not remote. Applicants must be within commuting distance of the LASC office in Santa Rosa, CA.
- All applicants must abide by LASC's current COVID related and security protocols.
- Must pass a background check.
Skills/Experience Desired:
- Prior legal services experience and/or a demonstrated commitment to public interest law.
