Description:

Organization Summary
DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended), Inc. was founded in 1978 and is the only domestic violence organization in Norfolk County. DOVE provides a range of services for individuals who have experienced abuse, including a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling for adults and children, support groups, economic empowerment, legal advocacy, community outreach, and education in area schools. At DOVE, we believe that all people have the right to live free from the fear of abuse. DOVE strives to foster healthier and safer relationships, thereby building communities of belonging. DOVE acknowledges that it is impossible to fulfill its mission without creating an equitable and inclusive environment for staff, stakeholders, and survivors alike.

Position Title: Staff Attorney, Family Law

Positions Status: Regular Full-Time

FLSA Classification: Exempt, professional

Reports To: Managing Attorney, Legal Advocacy Program

Supervisory Responsibilities: Legal Interns, Americorps Legal Advocate

Job Purpose:
The Staff Attorney specializes in family law. They are part of DOVE's Legal Advocacy Program (LAP), consisting of one additional managing attorney with possibility for growth. The Staff Attorney will provide legal representation, advice, pro se assistance, referrals, and other legal services to LAP clients in their family law and restraining order matters. Together with the Managing Attorney, the Staff Attorney will facilitate legal trainings and collaborate with other DOVE departments to ensure comprehensive legal support for survivors of domestic violence. Expertise in housing and/or immigration law is a plus. Proficiency in a foreign language is preferred but not required.

Job Responsibilities:

Provide legal representation to survivors of domestic violence in restraining order extension hearings and family law hearings, including divorce, custody, visitation, and child support.
Provide brief legal advice and services, including meeting with clients to assist in filing complaints, motions, and other court paperwork needed for family law cases.
Provide supervision potentially to legal interns and Americorps legal advocates.
Establish DOVE's presence and availability to survivors at Quincy District Court and Norfolk Family Court.
Conduct outreach to the legal community by attending meetings with legal professionals.
Assist DOVE's grant writer with grant reporting to maintain funding relationships.
Provide consultation to DOVE's non-lawyer advocates.
Identify and facilitate relevant legal trainings and participate in planning trainings.

Required Skills & Abilities:

Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
A strong work ethic and sense of initiative. Someone who leads by example and can work effectively and collaboratively in a small, creative, and resourceful nonprofit setting.
Ability to model and uphold appropriate professional boundaries in work with clients, co-workers, supervisor, and community.
Knowledge and demonstrated ability/experience working with people with a range of identities and backgrounds, such as race, ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual identity, faith/religion, and lived experiences.
Knowledge and demonstrated ability/experience working with individuals with histories of substance use/abuse, trauma, and mental health issues.
Knowledge of child protection services and the criminal legal system as they relate to victims/survivors of violence and their families.
Demonstrated experience making and maintaining connections in community and professional settings; experience in public speaking, networking, designing and conducting presentation and trainings, and group facilitation required. Ability to collaborate effectively with teammates and external partners.
Positive approach, can-do attitude, sense of humor, flexibility, and critical thinking; ability to triage and trouble-shoot, and stay poised and calm under pressure and in high-stress situations.
Ability to multi-task effectively.
Basic computer skills, including familiarity with databases.

Requirements:

Must have valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel within DOVE's service area.
Must be committed to DOVE's mission, vision, and core values, including trauma-informed practices, ending violence and oppression, championing a survivor-centered empowerment model, and promoting social justice/systemic change.
Complete DOVE's 35-hour domestic violence training program within first year of hire.
Ability to climb and descend stairs and lift/carry up to 30 pounds.
This position is classified as an Essential Employee of DOVE and may be required to travel during State of Emergency declared by the Governor.
A CORI background check is mandatory. CORI history will be reviewed and may not disqualify candidates.

Education & Experience:

J.D. and licensed to practice in Massachusetts.
0-3 years' experience providing legal advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence, including low-income populations.

Compensation & Benefits:

The salary for this exempt position is $70,000-$80,000 commensurate with experience.
Additional compensation of $2,000 gross annual may be available for fluency in languages widely spoken in DOVE's catchment area, including: Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and/or ASL.
Paid time off: Vacation (3 weeks in Year 1, increases at Year 3), Personal Days (5 days/year prorated), Sick time (12 days/year), and 13 Holidays.
Insurance coverage (70% Health/Dental and PFML covered, 100% Short-Term Disability and Life/ADD).
Flexible Spending Account, including dependent care account.
Opportunity to contribute to retirement account; employer match up to 4%.
This position is supported by grant funds.

DOVE aspires to cultivate the leadership potential of promising candidates. Domestic violence survivors, members of historically oppressed communities including BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, candidates with disabilities, and individuals with experience working in DOVE's catchment area are particularly encouraged to apply.

DOVE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law.