Attorney

The philosophy of our organization is that all people have the right to live without fear, abuse, oppression, and violence. Our advocacy programs embrace the philosophy that people experiencing violence and/or abuse have the potential to control their lives and can be helped in doing so through support, information, and encouragement. We believe that our organization should model behavior that is nonviolent and uses power responsibly for personal and organizational action and growth.

Position Summary

The Attorney serves as a staff member at will of Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS). The Attorney researches law, investigates facts, and prepares documents to assist survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault needing legal services.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Priority 1: Equity and Inclusion

• Reflect and understand how identities could give advantages in the workplace—even if they are not asked for or earned—while others might experience disadvantages. Reflect on how our position and power may shift depending on the environment, the people, or the institutions at play. Build the awareness and compassion that is needed and expected to create an equitable and inclusive workplace.
• Create an inclusive environment and behave in a way that ensures that clients and employees feel embraced, no matter what their cultural orientations are, respected and valued, engaged, and connected to the community, and safe from abuse and harassment.

Priority 2: Client Services

• Represents clients participating in court hearings, attempting settlements, and preparing cases for trial.
• Provide resource referrals, safety planning, and risk assessments with clients.
• Present information and respond to questions effectively from groups of co-workers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Priority 3: Research and Document Preparation

• Research and analyze law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes.
• Preparing legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, and contracts, for review, approval, and use by the Vice President of Legal Services.
• Investigate facts and the law of the case to determine causes of action and to prepare cases accordingly for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.
• Stay current with trends in family law and domestic violence / sexual assault related criminal law. Advise the Vice President of Legal Services on how these trends may affect DVIS clients.

Other Duties/Responsibilities: Other assistance to support the overall goals of the department and organization. DVIS retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Budgetary/Fiscal Responsibilities: Acts as a good steward of DVIS’s resources.

Responsibility for Confidentiality: The nature of this work requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of DVIS and its clients.

Contact with Others: This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations and the public.

Documentation: Maintains up-to-date and accurate files for each client according to agency guidelines and current professional standards. Comply with all grant conditions and special conditions, including keeping statistics per grant requirements.

Meetings and Training: Attend meetings and training as requested by supervisor.

Other: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data.
• Design – Demonstrates attention to detail.
• Problem-Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality.
• Advocacy – Provides support and resources to and on behalf of clients.
• Oral Communication – Listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.
• Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; contributes to building a positive team spirit.
• Professionalism – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
• Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time.

Education: Juris Doctorate degree is required with previous studies in psychology or social work preferred.

Experience: Requires a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in client-oriented social services or providing legal services to the under-represented, preferred. experience working with a nonprofit is strongly preferred. Work experience representing immigrant victims and knowledge of additional legal and social services preferred. Any equivalent combination of lived experience, and/or special skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Proven computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, OSCN and Westlaw are necessary.

Knowledge of or experience working with social justice issues, specifically intimate partner and gender-based domestic and sexual violence, and racial, class, gender, sexual orientation issues, and intervention/prevention services strongly preferred. Requires dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, excellent organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks. Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task, and changing environment, with frequent pressure related to meeting deadlines and scheduling requirements. Must be able to work [independently and] as part of a team. Must have good negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive information with diplomacy.

• Knowledge of Oklahoma domestic violence, family, and criminal law including superior research skills both traditional and electronic, preferred.
• Requires the ability to embrace, support, and integrate DVIS’s philosophies to promote and demonstrate DVIS’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and anti-racism.
• Diplomacy at confronting personal, individual, and internal discrimination requiring sharing and discussing personal identities relative to the work environment strongly preferred.

Schedule Availability: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Occasional extended workdays.

Licenses/Certifications : Valid Oklahoma driver’s license; licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma and a member in good standing of the Oklahoma Bar Association is required.