Staff Attorney

PRIMARY FUNCTION: The YWCA Staff Attorney provides comprehensive legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking in an array of proceedings to assist them in stabilizing their lives and when seeking justice.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicants must possess a law degree from an accredited institution and be licensed in Michigan.
• Membership and good standing with the State Bar of Michigan.
• Preferred candidates will have at least three years’ experience working with marginalized and victimized populations in the context of providing civil legal or social services, or in the context of serving in prosecution or indigent defense
• Must pass criminal, child abuse and neglect, and sex offender background checks.
• Strong personal work ethic and ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proof-reading skills, with ability to be detail oriented.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic team.
• Curious and self-directed with an ability to anticipate what needs to be done.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects while maintaining a firm grasp of individual project details.
• Exhibits humility in working with colleagues and clients across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities, and/or limited English proficiency.
• Willingness to take direction, flexibility, ability to be productive in a public workspace, high ethical standard and common sense are all required.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred, but not required
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Applicant must have experience in immigration law

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES:

• Provides representation to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking during case processing, USCIS conducted interviews, and EOIR proceedings.
• Conducts research on current immigration laws and policies and develops strategic plans to achieve client goals.
• Prepares, reviews, and submits various immigration applications/petitions, Request for Evidence (RFE) responses, and legal briefs for submission to government agencies, including but not limited to USCIS and EOIR.
• Provides legal consultations to assess immigration needs and provide clients with legal advice.
• Represents low-income survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in an array of family court and housing court proceedings, including dissolution, child custody and support, restraining orders, and evictions.
• Supervises and trains the department of justice accredited representative.
• Provides advocacy, including entering notices of appearance for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking who are participating as witnesses in the criminal prosecution of their perpetrator.
• Learns and assists with the diverse legal needs of underserved and vulnerable communities in Southwest Michigan.
• Tracks case outcomes and assists with compilation of aggregate data for reports.
• Provides workshops and technical assistance to community partners and client communities on immigrant rights, survivor rights, family law, and access.
• Develops relationships and engage in collaboration with a range of public and private community partners, including governmental agencies, courts, and community based organizations, to ensure integrative services and address systemic barriers facing survivors of violence.
• Possesses a passion and understanding of the unique needs of women and marginalized populations within the civil and criminal justice system as they navigate the aftermath of their victimization.
• Understands the complex legal systems that survivors come in contact with and be willing to engage in advocacy at any and all points.
• Interviews survivors in a manner sensitive to the trauma they may have experienced and attuned to honoring their choices.
• Engages in thorough research and brief writing.
• Adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Engages with police and prosecutors to advocate for victims.
• Provides legal services including legal research and factual investigation, counsel and advice, brief services and document preparation, and representation of clients in administrative and judicial proceedings.
• Provides accurate and complete information for grant reporting to grant funders including documenting services in the case records
• Possesses ability to travel both in-state and limited national travel. This is required.
• Attends all training required by the grant and by YWCA Kalamazoo.
• Actively participates in staff committees or task forces focused on services for survivors.
• Develops and maintains networking relationships with local bar associations and with local, state, and federal governments and community agencies that serve our client population;
• Exhibits a high level of personal energy, organization, and commitment to the position and the YWCA Kalamazoo mission.
• Attends all team and staff meetings, participates in collective team and agency efforts, and complies with all YWCA Kalamazoo policies and practices.
• Remains flexible and manages changing priorities on a continuing basis.
• Knows and adheres to Association policies, procedures, and practices.
• Safeguards confidential information gained because of the position.
• Complies with Association policy regarding required reporting of child abuse.
• As a YWCA employee, projects a positive image of the Association and its programs to the community.
• Works cooperatively with program participants, YWCA staff, and volunteers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• YWCA assigned building
• Occasional off-site locations; promotional events, networking events, community engagement events, etc.
• Potential outdoor events
• Potential Actions: Sitting, standing, kneeling, bending, some lifting
• Frequently required to remain stationary
• Frequently required to move
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to taste or smell
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Continually required to communicate and exchange accurate information
• Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate-loud
• Occasionally work in high, precarious places
• Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
• The employee must frequently lift and /or move more than 25 pounds.
• The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Ability to adjust focus; Depth Perception
• Specialized equipment, machines, or vehicles used: computer and motor vehicle
• Frequent travel to and from offsite locations and events
• Frequent exposure to bloodborne pathogens, airborne pathogens, or infectious materials
• Additional remarks regarding work environment: work will primarily be performed in an office environment.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• Orientation to YWCA Personnel Policies, Mission, Purpose and One Imperative.
• Racial Justice Training
• Pronoun Training
• Orientation to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Confidentiality, Mandatory Reporting.
• Other appropriate training and in-service which will occur during employment.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer