Domestic Violence Staff Attorney

The Staff Attorney is a new role at WRC, the sole attorney at the agency, responsible for developing a new legal services program and providing legal consultations, pro se assistance and in-court representation to survivors of domestic violence. The attorney will lead planning and development of this federally funded program, focused on family law, child custody, divorce and restraining order matters, among other common abuse-related litigation. They are responsible for assisting WRC in developing and implementing policies and procedures for this federal grant-funded domestic violence legal assistance program, leading outreach and relationship-building with local organizations and within the legal community and tracking the success and outcomes of the program. Successful candidates will strengthen legal services access to victims of domestic abuse engaged in civil and family law legal systems in the greater Newport area.Essential Job Functions Help lead the design, planning and implementation of new legal services program. Provide legal representation and consultation to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in family law matters, including but not limited to divorce, custody, visitation, civil restraining orders and child support. Provide pro se assistance, including meeting with clients, assisting with the preparation of pro se complaints, motions, and other court pleadings, and preparing survivors to represent themselves in court. Provide other advice and services, including safety planning and referrals, to promote the safety, self-determination and resilience of survivors.Conduct outreach to the legal community by attending local and/or statewide meetings and roundtables with legal professionals and law students. Assist in screening clients for eligibility when referred from WRC staff or other DV advocates. Provide consultation and technical assistance to WRC’s non-lawyer victim advocates. Help identify pro bono or reduced-fee legal representation for WRC clients and RI survivors. Attend and participate in WRC staff meetings and committee meetings; assist with other projects as needed. Qualification, Experience, EducationRequired:3-5 years’ experience providing legal representation in family law and/or restraining order matters in a legal services setting, private practice or similar trial litigation practice, including demonstrated commitment to representing domestic violence survivors. Demonstrated expertise in providing legal assistance to victims of domestic/dating violence, stalking and/or sexual violence.A commitment to WRC’s mission of ending domestic violence and oppression, to using a survivor-centered trauma informed practice, and to promoting social justice and social change.Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with non-attorney staff and advocates in a small team nonprofit environment.Excellent written and verbal advocacy and communication skills; strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task; strong work ethic and sense of initiative. Ability to model and uphold appropriate professional boundaries in work with clients, co-workers, supervisor, and community. Demonstrated ability and desire to work with diverse populations and to actively use multicultural awareness and understanding in daily work. Willingness to complete WRC or partner-agency Domestic Violence dynamics training within first year of hire. J.D. from ABA-accredited law school and admission to and good standing in the Rhode Island Bar Association required.A demonstrated history of providing legal advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence.Preferred:Demonstrated experience in serving vulnerable and low-income populations with empathy and compassionate advocacy, including clients in crisis and with histories of trauma; Spanish bilingual preferred. A history of domestic violence training or DV-related CLE credits preferred. Don’t check off every requirement? Please apply anyway! Studies show that underrepresented groups – such as women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color often hesitate to apply unless they meet every single qualification. We are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging. If you're excited about a role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply — you might be exactly who we’re looking for. The Women's Resource Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The organization does not discriminate against a volunteer, an employee or applicant in employment of conditions or opportunities for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin.