Staff Attorney, Domestic & Gender Violence

Since 1968, Brooklyn A has provided free legal services for low-income residents of Brooklyn, pursuing neighborhood-based mission of justice, empowerment and community development. For over half a century, we have utilized an array of legal and advocacy strategies—community organizing, affirmative civil rights litigation, and eviction defense to defend the rights of individuals and families. Collaboration with the city, state, and federal officials to enforce housing laws and develop legislative solutions is also an integral part of our strategy. Brooklyn A has three core programs—Preserving Affordable Housing (PAH) Program, Consumer & Economic Advocacy (CEA) Program, and Community & Economic Development (CED) Program—each of which has unique initiatives and plays a vital community role to ensure basic needs are met and fundamental rights affirmed.

The Staff Attorney, Domestic & Gender Violence Program will provide representation, advice and counsel, and advocacy services to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence in family court proceedings. They will provide representation and comprehensive legal advocacy to survivors of domestic violence on family and matrimonial litigation cases (including orders of protection, contested and uncontested divorces, custody, visitation, child and spousal support). They may also assist and provide advice and representation in compensation claims based on their victimization, and appellate family and immigration law cases.

The Staff Attorney will:

• Conduct intake screenings and advise clients on matters of family law, matrimonial law, domestic violence related immigration matters, appeals, and compensation claims;
• Provide representation and consultation in contested and uncontested family and matrimonial law matters;
• Appear and litigate divorce, custody, support, order of protection cases, and other family law cases;
• Provide representation and consultation in domestic violence based immigration matters;
• Participate in off-site, on-site and virtual clinics and legal screenings;
• Engage and conduct outreach with communities who face barriers to accessing services;
• Attend internal staff meetings and meetings with partner agencies and funders as needed;
• Participate in external coalitions and task forces addressing DV/SA issues;
• Conduct educational seminars, trainings, and outreach to lawyers, social workers, advocates, law students, and the general community on domestic violence related issues;
• Administrative duties including updating case management systems and maintaining and updating files and case notes; as well as assisting in grant reporting as needed.

Education & Experience:

• Admission to the bar of the State of New York or eligible for admission; and
• Have at least 2 years post-law school experience working with victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence;
• 2+ years’ litigation experience in contested family and/or matrimonial law;
• Demonstrated legal knowledge and understanding of the nature and dynamics of domestic violence;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a time of crisis;
• Demonstrated ability to interact with persons of different races, ethnicities, ages, and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion;
• Excellent legal writing, litigation and advocacy skills in English, bi-lingual Spanish preferred;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with strong motivation to manage a high caseload, meet deadlines and expeditiously track matters towards resolution;
• Computer proficiency sufficient to independently review and draft materials relevant to the position, including legal documents, as well as track client information in our database, prepare reports for grantors, attend meetings, and perform administrative tasks related to the work, such as timekeeping and case dockets;
• Maintain up-to-date client information in Brooklyn A’s case management system to ensure accurate data collection and statistical tracking;
• Collaborate as needed organizationally and with development to produce narrative reports for grant and contracts;
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret legal writing, technical procedures, rules or regulations, statues and case law;
• Ability to write clearly with minimal error legal memorandum, briefs, motions, contracts, correspondence, and other legal documentation relevant to the practice areas and ability to vary writing style to meet specific needs; and
• Thorough commitment to Brooklyn A’s mission and commitment to public interest work.

Compensation & Benefits:

Annual salary $79,400-96,200 dependent on years of experience. Benefits highlights - 27 days vacation; employer paid health, dental and vision insurance; employer contribution to 401(k); and paid parental leave.

To apply:

If you are interested in this position, you must submit your resume and a cover letter telling us why your experiences would make you a good fit for this role.

Brooklyn A is a diverse team that is committed to recruiting, supporting, retaining, and promoting a talented staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences that share the organization's commitment to racial, economic and social justice. At Brooklyn A, diversity encompasses a variety of characteristics, lifestyles, and perspectives, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education, disability, socio-economic status, and family status. We firmly believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment is essential to both the quality of our client services and the personal satisfaction of our staff. 

We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply, including women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, people from low-income backgrounds, and with lived experiences in the communities we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical disability, or length of time spent unemployed.