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Staff Attorney

Domestic Abuse Legal Advocacy Center

Posted 6 months ago

Domestic Abuse Legal Advocacy Center, PSC (DALAC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit law firm that provides pro bono legal services to victims and survivors of domestic violence at shelters that it collaborates with here in Minnesota. DALAC has approximately 45 volunteer attorneys that provide pro bono legal services at monthly legal clinics and in-court representation for Orders for Protections and eviction expungements.
The staff attorney would be responsible for providing comprehensive expanded civil legal services through trauma informed legal advocacy to DALAC’s clients, including but not limited to issues involving divorce, custody, child support, spousal maintenance, harassment restraining orders, legal separation, and landlord-tenant through a mentorship model.


The staff attorney will bridge the gap between the emergency legal assistance provided by the volunteer attorney program and extended legal representation victims need to build new lives as survivors of domestic violence.


Duties and Responsibilities:
Provides legal services to clients through a trauma-informed model.
Attends court appearances, argues motions and responsive motions, and takes cases to trial.
Motion practice and trial practice.
Conducts legal interviews as necessary.
Drafts petitions, motions, memorandums of law and other pleadings as necessary.
Researches legal issues as needed.
Provides appropriate referrals to outside agencies and services.
Records all case data as needed to maintain compliance with funders and insurance.
Researches legal issues as needed.
Staffs Legal Clinics as needed.
Follows all requirements of court rules and ethics rules.
Other duties as assigned.


Qualifications
Law Degree.
Minnesota bar admission required.
Willingness to go to trial.
Commitment to zealous representation.
High personal standards and a high degree of professionalism.
Understanding of trauma and its impact on domestic violence victims.
Excellent skills in dealing with clients who have been traumatized or abused.
Ability to provide legal services judgment free.
At least one-year experience litigating domestic violence issues.
Demonstrates excellence in writing skills, legal research and advocacy.
Attention to detail and superior organizational skills.
Commitment to aiding victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
Willingness to learn lawyering through a trauma-informed model and a mentorship model.
Passionate about representing domestic violence victims.
Sensitivity to victims/survivors of domestic abuse.
Experience working with traumatized individuals, trial work and domestic abuse.
Local travel is required, with a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Ability to work from a home office is required.
Evenings and weekends are required.
Wage and Benefits

This position is full-time, exempt with an annual salary of $90,000 – $100,000.00 dependent on experience.


Eligible for all employer sponsored benefits.


Application Information:
Applicants should send their resume with a cover letter, three references, and writing sample to Domestic Abuse Legal Advocacy Center, PSC, 962 St. Clair Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105. Applications will be accepted until position is filled with preference given to candidates who apply on or before November 27, 2023.
DALAC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We will recruit, employ, pay and promote qualified applications and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or any other legally protected class.

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