Consultation Attorney, Family Law

Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City.

About the role

Sanctuary for Families seeks an experienced family law attorney to provide legal consultations and pro se services to Manhattan Family Justice Center clients who need assistance with family offense, custody/visitation, and child/spousal support proceedings, as well as matrimonial matters. The Consultation Attorney will provide civil legal screenings and legal consultations, assist pro se clients by drafting family law petitions and other filings, represent a small caseload of clients, and coordinate and conduct Sanctuary’s pro se clinics. The role involves technical assistance to FJC partner agencies, community outreach, training and education in Manhattan, active engagement in advocacy committees and task forces, and collaboration with other agencies to advocate for systemic change. The Consultation Attorney will coordinate and supervise staff attorneys, project assistants, pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers, and will work out of the Manhattan Family Justice Center office, reporting to the Director and Senior Program Director of the Family Law Project.

Responsibilities

• Provides initial civil legal screenings and any necessary follow-up legal consultations to clients seeking family law assistance, including drafting of pro se petitions and other filings.
• In collaboration with the Director and Senior Program Director, creates, implements, coordinates and conducts ongoing family law legal clinics to assist clients in drafting pro se petitions for Family and Supreme Courts.
• Collaborates with FJC family law projects across the five FJCs to create, implement and coordinate pro se services and clinics, and collaborates with other Sanctuary for Families legal projects.
• Coordinates and supervises staff attorneys, project assistants, pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers.
• In collaboration with the Director and Senior Program Director, recruits, selects, hires, and onboards project assistants; assists with performance evaluations of staff.
• Participates in internal management audits and reviews, and designs and implements program improvements using outcome-based evaluations.
• Provides direct representation to a limited number of clients in family law matters, including matrimonial, family offense, custody and visitation, and child and spousal support cases.
• Provides other advocacy as needed, including within the criminal legal and child protective systems.
• Facilitates clients’ access to intra-agency and outside resources, and administers provision of direct financial assistance and donations to clients.
• Provides technical assistance to FJC partner agencies.
• Conducts community outreach, training and education.
• Actively engages in advocacy committees and task forces, and collaborates with other agencies to advocate for systemic change.
• Participates in interagency conferences and legal/bar association committee meetings to keep abreast of developments in pro bono, domestic violence, and legal remedies for victims of domestic violence.
• Performs any other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor.

Requirements

• J.D. degree
• Admission to the NY Bar
• Three or more years of relevant family law experience
• Fluency in a community language (Mandarin, Korean, Arabic, Haitian-Creole, Spanish, or Russian) preferred but not required
• Strong lawyering, advocacy, and leadership skills
• Enjoy working collaboratively and be comfortable speaking in public
• Highly motivated to provide zealous, knowledgeable, culturally competent, and empathic legal advocacy to domestic violence victims
• Ability to work well with people from diverse communities and backgrounds

Pay

$83,000 - $89,000 per year

Schedule

Full-time, salaried/exempt. Hybrid work schedule; must be able to meet job location schedule obligation.

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer retirement contribution
• Paid time off (Holidays, Vacation, Personal, Sick)
• Generous Leave Policy
• Flexible spending account / Health savings account
• Student loan assistance
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Gym reimbursement program
• Wellness program and rewards