Staff Attorney - Sexual Violence Law Center
Position Summary: Staff Attorney, Exempt, Full Time
Sexual Violence Law Center (SVLC) is nonprofit law firm, housed at Legal Voice, that aims to improve Washington State’s legal response to survivors of sexual violence through (1) holistic legal assistance and representation in a variety of legal areas; (2) trainings and technical assistance for attorneys, advocates and professionals working with survivors; and (3) survivor rights policy reform. SVLC engages in trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy, rooted in race and gender equity practices. Position
Summary:
The Staff Attorney will work with survivors who have experienced sexual and domestic violence, including sexual assault, abuse, harassment, trafficking, stalking and technology-enabled abuse. The applicant must have experience in the field of family law and at least one of SVLC’s other main practice areas (civil rights, immigration, housing, employment, education, public benefits, consumer rights, or criminal law). The SVLC office is based in Seattle. This position may be based anywhere in Washington and will require travel as needed. This position requires understanding the core principles of trauma-informed practices and anti-oppression and grounding those principles in everyday work. This a grant funded position which is contingent on continued funding.
Location:
SVLC staff currently work remotely with the option to come into the office. We will continue to adapt our remote work policies in line with public health recommendations and our legal responsibilities to the survivors we serve.
Salary & Benefits:
This full-time position has an annual salary range of $72,000-$85,000 depending on experience. Benefits include health insurance (including dental and vision); three weeks of vacation to start in a culture that supports and encourages people to use their vacation time; ten paid holidays per year; 401K eligibility after six months of employment with a possible employer contribution; paid sick and safe leave; flexible and generous family leave; payment of bar dues; and professional opportunities.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1. Direct Services
• Provide survivor-centered legal representation to survivors throughout Washington on a broad range of non-tort legal matters.
• Staff SVLC’s legal resource line for survivors and provide legal consultation, brief services and referral to callers.
• Assist in conducting trainings for pro bono attorneys, advocates and other professionals working with survivors of sexual assault and abuse.
• Provide technical assistance and support to civil attorneys, prosecutors, and other legal professionals representing survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
2. Community Relations and Race Equity
• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with community partners to facilitate holistic client services, particularly in communities facing greater legal barriers.
• Actively participate in task-forces, coalitions and initiatives pertaining to victim rights and survivor legal needs.
• Conduct legal clinics and public presentations on the legal rights of sexual assault survivors.
• Draft legal publications and resources for survivors, attorneys, advocates and the general public.
• Work closely with Legal Voice’s race equity team as the organization develops a broader roadmap to ensure that our policies, practices, and culture promote principles of racial equity.
3. Program Administration
• Assist SVLC Director, and in collaboration with other program staff, in ensuring that grant and contract deliverables are met.
• Maintain program and administrative records.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
• Juris Doctor degree.
• Valid license to practice law in the State of Washington.
• Three years of litigation experience (whether in motions practice, trials, administrative hearings, or appellate advocacy).
• Excellent writing and communications skills.
• Ability to travel independently for off-site meetings, trainings and to engage in mobile advocacy.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, particularly survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, or child abuse, whether in a legal or non-legal capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships in historically disadvantaged communities, including communities of color. Recognize that the intersection of racism and misogyny is at the root of our work.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Fluency in a language other than English, or other personal qualities that contribute to the program’s commitment to diversity.
• Prior experience working in a nonprofit setting or community-based organization.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with people of different cultures and backgrounds.
• Experience in one or more fields of law listed at the beginning of this job description. • Ability to engage and collaborate on self-care and resiliency practices.
• Experience with teaching/training other professionals.
• Sense of humor.
Application Process:
Accepted on a rolling basis but priority will be given to applicants who submit their cover letter and resume to riddhi@svlawcenter.org by August 31, 2022. In the email subject line, please put: Staff Attorney_[Last Name]. Indicate in your cover letter if you prefer we retain your application for future consideration. Please no phone calls.
Non-discrimination:
Legal Voice and the Sexual Violence Law Center are committed to fostering the leadership of all women, particularly those from underrepresented and historically disadvantaged communities. We follow an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.