Hybrid Staff Attorney, Domestic Violence

at Montana Legal Services Association

• Job title: Staff Attorney, Domestic Violence
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: $60,500 - $74,000 per year
• Degree requirement: No Education Requirement
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Kalispell, United States

About the role

• Staff Attorney role providing poverty law services to domestic violence survivors in Montana. Representing clients in various legal matters with a focus on rural populations and American Indian Reservations.

Responsibilities

• Provide poverty law services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking
• Represent domestic and sexual violence victims statewide with a focus on rural populations and American Indian Reservations
• Interview, meet with, advise, and represent eligible clients in civil matters
• Conduct safety planning with clients and connect them to appropriate services
• Handle all aspects of legal representation including client contact, pleading preparation, research, file maintenance, hearing and trial work
• Work primarily in the area of family law, but may also assist with other poverty law issues including consumer, housing, employment, public benefits, and probate
• Develop law-related educational programs and materials directed to the client community or agencies regarding the legal rights and responsibilities of domestic and sexual violence survivors
• Work with other MLSA staff to recruit, train and support pro bono attorneys when appropriate
• Participate in MLSA’s statewide initiatives and impact work, and implementing grant and contract requirements through casework

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree
• Admission to the Montana Bar or ability to obtain admission
• Strong legal research, writing, and advocacy skills
• Commitment to serving low-income, rural, and underserved populations insuring equal access to justice
• A willingness to assume a varied case load
• Ability and willingness to learn and integrate new technologies and methodologies to efficiently perform
• A willingness to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, the public, judges, court personnel, project partners
• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially within a decentralized statewide law firm
• Ability to travel in state and outside Montana, occasionally

Benefits

• Hybrid work environment
• Travel required, including to rural and tribal communities
• Regular office hours at partner agencies, on the reservation, or in other communities