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 focus on legal consultations and pro se services for clients at the Bronx Family Justice Center. The Consultation Attorney will provide civil legal screenings, legal consultations, and assist pro se clients by drafting family law petitions and other filings. They will represent a small caseload of clients in family offense, custody/visitation, child/spousal support, and matrimonial matters, as well as coordinate and conduct Sanctuary’s pro se clinics. The role includes providing technical assistance to FJC partner agencies, conducting community outreach and training in the Bronx, engaging in advocacy committees and task forces, and collaborating with other agencies to advocate for systemic change. The Consultation Attorney will supervise staff attorneys, project assistants, pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers, and work out of the Bronx Family Justice Center office.
Responsibilities
- Provides initial civil legal screenings and follow-up legal consultations to clients seeking family law assistance, including drafting pro se petitions and other filings.
- 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 works with other Sanctuary for Families legal projects.
- Supervises and mentors staff attorneys, project assistants, pro bono attorneys, interns, and volunteers.
- Participates in recruiting and onboarding of project assistants, and assists with performance evaluations of legal support staff.
- Participates in internal management audits and reviews, and designs program improvements using outcome-based evaluations.
- Provides direct representation to a small caseload of clients in family law matters, including matrimonial, family offense, custody/visitation, and child/spousal support cases.
- Provides advocacy in criminal legal and child protective systems as needed.
- Facilitates clients’ access to intra-agency and outside resources, and administers provision of direct financial assistance and donations.
- 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 stay updated on developments in pro bono, domestic violence, and legal remedies for victims.
- Performs other department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor.
Requirements
- J.D. degree and admission to the NY Bar.
- Three or more years of relevant family law experience.
- Strong lawyering, advocacy, and leadership skills.
- Enjoys working collaboratively and is 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.
- Foreign language skills a plus.
Pay
Budgeted salary: $83,000 - $89,000 per year.
Schedule
Full-time, salaried/exempt position. Currently hybrid; must meet job location schedule obligations.
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.