Staff Attorney (Domestic Violence)

The Domestic Violence Staff Attorney position will provide civil legal assistance to clients of the Friendship Center and to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Lewis & Clark, Broadwater, and Jefferson Counties. The position will be based at the Helena office of the Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA). Services provided will range from brief counsel and advice, to more extended representation. Requires travel within Montana. This position is funded until September 30, 2027 with the possibility of extending if funding is available.

This position will handle all aspects of legal representation for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, including client contact, pleading preparation, research, file maintenance, and hearing and trial work. Areas of law covered will include all aspects of civil poverty law, but will be focused primarily on family law and Orders of Protection. The staff attorney will also participate in MLSA’s statewide initiatives, implement grant and contract requirements through casework and foster pro bono involvement with the private bar.

Specific Duties

• Interview, meet with, advise, and represent eligible clients on civil
• Conduct safety planning with clients and connect them to appropriate
• Compose correspondence, pleadings and other
• Develop law related educational programs and materials directed to the client community or agencies regarding the legal rights of survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
• Research the law and prepare
• Handle all aspects of a client’s legal matter, including preparing pleadings, negotiation, mediation and trial
• Work with other MLSA staff to recruit, train and support pro bono attorneys when appropriate.
• Develop and maintain specialized knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, and general poverty law issues.
• Participate in MLSA statewide initiatives and impact
• Other duties as assigned by the

Required Skills & Attributes

• Law Degree.
• An understanding of the legal needs of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, including the unique needs of populations that experience particular barriers to access to justice
• Knowledge of substantive legal areas affecting domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, including, but not limited to, Orders of Protection, dissolutions, parenting plans, and other family law matters.
• 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 and the
• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially within a decentralized statewide law
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently in a deadline-oriented
• A “can do” attitude and a willingness to pitch in where
• Strong commitment to insuring equal access to
• Proficient at the use of technology, including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, internet-based programs and computer-based legal
• Ability to travel, occasionally

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Current license to practice law in Montana.
• Prior experience working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• An understanding of the civil equal justice legal needs of low-income people, including the unique needs of populations that experience particular barriers to access to justice systems, and of effective approaches and methods for addressing those needs.
• Experience working collaboratively and empathetically with diverse groups of colleagues, firm partners, and clients who have varying cultural backgrounds, perspectives, experience, and expertise.
• Knowledge of substantive legal areas affecting low-income people.

MLSA is an equal opportunity employer and we consider the diversity of our staff to be vital to our organization's success. We strongly encourage and welcome people of all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, ages, genders, and physical abilities to apply.

Salary : $57,000 - $75,000