What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Attorney position at The DOVES Program?
Overview
As a Project Attorney for the DOVES Program's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Legal Assistance to Victims (LAV) Expanding Legal Services Initiative (ELSI) grant, you will play a crucial role in coordinating and overseeing legal services for survivors of sexual, domestic, and dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking in western Nebraska. You will lead the creation and development of a groundbreaking DOVES Program Law project aimed at providing comprehensive legal assistance to victims. Your expertise will be pivotal in ensuring that survivors receive effective and compassionate legal support to navigate the complexities of the justice system.
Working closely with a dedicated team, you will be responsible for assessing the legal needs of survivors, conducting thorough research, and advocating on their behalf in legal proceedings. Your role will also involve collaborating with community partners, government agencies, and stakeholders to enhance the delivery of legal services and promote survivor-centered approaches. Additionally, you will be involved in raising awareness about issues related to violence against women and implementing strategies to address systemic barriers.
The ideal candidate will have a strong legal background, with experience in family law, victim advocacy, and / or civil rights. You should be passionate about advancing social justice and empowering marginalized communities. Strong communication skills, empathy, and cultural sensitivity are essential for effectively engaging with diverse populations. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of survivors.
Duties
Project Coordinator Responsibilities : In addition to serving as the Project Attorney, this individual will serve as the Project Coordinator for an Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Legal Assistance to Victims (LAV) Expanding Legal Services Initiative (ELSI) grant.
Prior to providing direct client representation, the Project Attorney will complete the following tasks in collaboration with the Executive Director.
- Finalize grant Goals and Objectives
- Finalize Case Selection Criteria
- Create an Information Storage Policy
- Create an Information Sharing Policy
- Create an Electronic Device & Communications Policy
- Create an Emergency / Contingency Plan, if Project Attorney were to become unexpectedly unavailable
- Create a Conflict Checks Procedure
- Create Case Intake, Opening & Closing Procedures
- Create a File Retention Policy
- Create other Policies & Procedures required for Malpractice Insurance
- Make purchase recommendations for Case Management Software
- Make purchase recommendations for Case Research Software
- Finalize Paralegal / Legal Assistant job description.
Throughout the life of this grant project, the Project Attorney will :
o Coordination with Vela to establish system for stat collection that is appropriately segregated from the DOVES Advocacy Program
o Ensure required statistics are collected for semi-annual progress reports
o Draft semi-annual progress report
o Assist with grant renewal application
o Ensure the Legal Services section of the Operations Manual is up-to-date
Project Attorney Responsibilities : Once the deliverables mentioned above have been approved by OVW, the Project Attorney will begin to provide direct client representation. Caseload will include brief advice, unbundled services, and full representation in court.
Requirements