Hybrid Staff Attorney

at The Second Step

• Job title: Staff Attorney
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: $75,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Professional Certificate
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Newton, United States

About the role

• Staff Attorney providing legal services for domestic violence survivors at The Second Step in Massachusetts. Conducting courtroom litigation and collaborating with legal community organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide full representation and limited assistance representation to clients as appropriate, including but not limited to abuse prevention order hearings and custody, divorce & child support matters in District Courts and Probate & Family Courts;
• Interview clients with a demonstrated ability to provide trauma informed legal services while gathering necessary facts and background information to workup and prepare a case;
• Engage in frequent courtroom litigation and advocacy, with a demonstrated ability to fully prepare and master case facts, written pleadings, and oral arguments efficiently and effectively under, at times, time sensitive and high-pressure circumstances;
• Provide legal advice, brief consultation, and/or preparation of legal pleadings on behalf of clients as well as targeted referrals to outside legal providers as appropriate;
• Provide information regarding criminal proceedings and processes to survivors of domestic violence;
• Ensure compliance with all Board of Bar Overseers (BBO) ethics standards, including confidentiality and ethical conflicts of interest;
• Collect and record all relevant program data daily using TSS’s case management system, including “billable hours”;
• Organize and/or present periodic legal trainings to TSS staff, volunteers, and/or outside agencies on various relevant legal topics;
• Prepare and/or present specialized community-wide trainings to both legal and non-legal professionals on domestic violence issues;
• Attend legal trainings to maintain up to date knowledge on domestic violence legal issues;
• Advance TSS Legal Services Program’s profile in the greater legal community by establishing and maintaining relationships with other legal practitioners, community agencies and governmental agencies;
• Participate in legal community collaborations such as policy groups, steering committees, focus groups and/or bar associations geared towards domestic violence law;
• Participate in legislative, administrative and other systemic advocacy designed to promote the interests of domestic violence survivors;
• Flexibility for very occasional evening work when necessary;
• Attends All Staff meeting and trainings;
• Represents TSS at community engagement and development events as needed;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• JD and admission in good standing to the Massachusetts Bar
• Candidates must have an enthusiasm for and desire to engage in regular, frequent courtroom litigation and negotiations with opposing parties AND excellent courtroom advocacy skills that include but are not limited to: conducting direct & cross examinations, presenting and entering exhibits into evidence, making spontaneous oral arguments based on written pleadings filed as well as mastery of case facts and a working knowledge of relevant caselaw, statutes, & judicial guidelines, responding with confidence, polish, and poise in high stress circumstances to questions presented by judges and opposing counsel;
• Candidates with 2-5 years of litigation experience are preferred, including experience with Abuse Prevention Order/Harassment Prevention Order proceedings, criminal matters, and/or Family/Probate Law proceedings;
• Candidates’ experience working as a 3:03 certified attorney and/or in a legal clinic is relevant as is frequency and quality of courtroom appearances;
• Ability to manage multiple projects and cases simultaneously and with flexibility, and to prioritize competing deadlines; comfortable working independently and in a team.
• Strong client interviewing skills as well as strong communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to regularly problem solve and engage in crisis management;
• Candidates must possess strong oral and written communication skills, with the capability of handling all aspects of complex matters that coincide with assisting survivors of domestic violence;
• Candidates must demonstrate an ability to handle case work efficiently and effectively; demonstrated aptitude for productivity and the ability to meet monthly “billable hours” minimums is required;
• Ability to work collaboratively & effectively with non-legal Second Step staff;
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to providing legal services to low-income or otherwise vulnerable clients;
• Experience with clients affected by domestic violence, crime, trauma, and/or mental health issues;
• Experience working with racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse teams and client communities and demonstrated skill and self-awareness in how to effectively connect with clients and communities across cultural differences.
• Candidates with proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese or another language are highly encouraged;
• References from supervisors, colleagues, and/or judges that have personal knowledge of candidate’s courtroom advocacy skills;
• Reliable car/transportation as attorneys must regularly travel to courthouses and meetings throughout the Greater Boston and MetroWest areas, in the following counties: Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Mileage and parking costs are reimbursed.

Benefits

• 3 weeks paid vacation
• 13 paid holidays that fall on a regularly scheduled work day
• 2 personal days
• ample sick time
• contribution to health, vision, and dental insurance
• agency hosted 403(b) plan
• Employee Assistance Plan
• student loan repayment contribution
• agency-paid annual bar dues
• ample professional development opportunities