Domestic Violence Attorney

 Job Description

Domestic Violence Project

Domestic Violence Attorney

Location: Applicable to the Domestic Violence Project attorneys in VLAS’ Danville and Suffolk offices.

Qualifications: Attorney licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia; demonstrated commitment to the provision of legal services to the poor and to working in the VLAS service area; an understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and the impact of geographic isolation upon low-income people, children and youth victims, the elderly, and the working poor; ability to develop effective rapport with clients, particularly with victims of domestic violence, including children, youth, and seniors.

Brief Description of Responsibilities: Domestic Violence Project attorneys provide legal assistance to low-income victims of domestic violence and stalking. Under the direct supervision of the DV Project Managing Attorney and the Executive Director, they are responsible for the delivery of high quality legal services to clients of VLAS, in accordance with the mission and priorities of the program, the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking in Civil Protection Order Cases, the ABA Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid, the Legal Services Corporation Act and regulations, and VLAS policies and procedures.

Employment Classification: Full-time permanent employees exempt from the wage and hour  provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Specific Responsibilities and Duties as Domestic Violence Attorneys:

1. Provide representation, counsel, and advice to low-income victims of domestic violence in obtaining protective orders and related issues arising out of domestic violence;
2. Provide case consultation with staff of shelters for victims of domestic violence and victim/witness assistance programs;
3. Conduct regular intake at outreach locations to serve victims of domestic violence where they are located;
4. Contribute to written informational materials for victims of domestic violence;
5. Attend and actively participate in domestic violence task force meetings;
6. Conduct regular community education events concerning domestic violence and related legal issues at Area Agency on Aging events, in local middle and high schools, at domestic violence shelters, and at other locations where victims are located;
7. Participate in continuing legal education in the areas of trauma-informed services; domestic violence and sexual assault; elder abuse and exploitation, as well as other areas of general law practice for victims of crime.
8. Assist in outreach efforts designed to reach underserved populations, particularly the elderly, children and youth victims, and others in the most isolated rural locations in the VLAS service area where gaps in victims’ services may exist.

General Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Review eligibility determinations made during intake process to insure that client service is provided in accordance with VLAS policy and procedures;
2. Provide legal assistance to VLAS clients, including representation before state and federal courts, trial and appellate, administrative bodies, and legislative and quasi-legislative bodies;
3. Maintain client files, including documentation and records of all work performed in each case;
4. Complete and maintain program recordkeeping and case monitoring forms and records as required by program policies;
5. Be knowledgeable of and comply with all controlling Legal Services Corporation (LSC) law and regulations;
6. Be knowledgeable of and comply with the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct; the ABA Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking in Civil Protection Order Cases; the ABA Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid; and VLAS policies regarding quality of practice;
7. Maintain sufficient knowledge of laws, regulations and programs affecting the poverty population in order to provide high quality legal assistance, including regular participation in state-wide task forces and training programs;
8. Identify potential referrals to VLAS’ Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) program, prepare appropriate PAI referral memoranda, assist in referral process and provide expertise to PAI attorneys when requested;
9. Engage in projects to provide training, outreach, and/or community education or other information to community organizations, advocates, clients, and other community groups about legal services, and the legal issues affecting low-income persons, as assigned or approved by the Managing Attorney or Executive Director; and;
10. Perform such other tasks as may be assigned by the Managing Attorney or Executive Director.