Family Law Attorney

The Staff Attorney is responsible for providing legal consultations, pro se assistance and in-court representation to survivors of domestic violence in family law and restraining order matters. They are also responsible for assisting the LAP Director and the rest of the LAP in outreach and relationship-building within DOVE’s catchment area and within the legal community, facilitating legal trainings, supervising LAP interns, helping to develop and implement LAP policies and programs, and tracking the success and outcomes of the program. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide legal representation to survivors of domestic violence in 209A and 258E (abuse and harassment prevention order) hearings and family law matters, including divorce, custody, visitation, and child support. 
• Provide pro se assistance, including meeting with clients to assist in preparing and filing complaints, motions, and other court paperwork needed for family law and restraining/harassment prevention order cases.
• Assist in planning and staffing forms clinics. 
• Provide other brief advice and services, including safety planning and referrals, to LAP clients. 
• Assist in the recruitment and supervision of legal interns. 
• Conduct outreach to the legal community by attending meetings and roundtables with legal professionals. 
• Assist in responding to calls and providing intakes through the LAP’s Legal Helpline. 
• Provide consultation to DOVE’s non-lawyer advocates. 
• Help identify pro bono or reduced-fee legal representation for LAP clients. 
• Assist in facilitation and planning of trainings. 
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and committee meetings. 

  Skills and Qualifications:

• 0-3 years’ experience providing legal representation in family law and/or restraining order matters in a legal services setting or similar litigation practice. 
• A demonstrated commitment to or experience in serving vulnerable populations, including clients in crisis and with histories of trauma; experience representing or providing direct-client services to survivors of abuse preferred.
• Bilingual (Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Hindi or Vietnamese and English) preferred. We also encourage monolingual BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ candidates to apply.
• A commitment to DOVE’s mission of ending domestic violence and oppression, to using empowerment practice, and to promoting social justice and social change. 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with attorneys and non-attorneys in a small team environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task. 
• A 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. 
• Valid driver’s license and car or access to reliable transportation, and willingness to travel regularly within DOVE’s service area.
• Must provide documentation of 35 hours of domestic violence training upon hire, or complete DOVE’s 35-hour Domestic Violence training within first year of hire. 
• A CORI background check is mandatory. CORI history will be reviewed and may not disqualify candidates. 

Education & Experience:

• J.D. and admission to and good standing in Massachusetts bar required.
• A demonstrated commitment to providing legal advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence.
• DOVE seeks to cultivate the leadership potential of promising candidates. Domestic violence survivors and members of historically oppressed communities are particularly encouraged to apply.