Senior Staff Attorney

Shalom Task Force is seeking to hire a Senior Staff Attorney for its Legal Department.

The mission of Shalom Task Force, Inc (STF) is to combat and prevent domestic violence and foster healthy and safe relationships and families. STF focuses its work in the Jewish community, to help those that may not have access to traditional services and need culturally sensitive programming. STF is committed to supporting the principle that everyone has the right to be safe in their relationship and family.

STF has three Departments that effectuate its mission. STF operates a free, confidential Hotline/ Chatline offering emotional support and referrals. The Education Department provides awareness, education, resources and workshops to professionals and community members, including youth, on fostering healthy relationships and preventing abuse.

The STF Legal Department provides high-quality, trauma informed, culturally competent and innovative representation to address the family or immigration legal needs of low-income to survivor victims of IPV and gender-based violence throughout New York City. The Legal Department also provides advice and counsel or brief services throughout New York State. The Department is a small and dedicated team of three attorneys and two paralegal/ victim advocates.

The Legal Department has been providing legal services to victims of interpersonal and gender-based violence throughout New York City for over a decade. The Department has pioneered DV advocacy and litigation tailored to the specific needs of the Jewish population and have been an innovative leader in addressing both cultural competency and legal services in the Jewish community. Attorneys provide advice, counsel, and representation to victims of IPV in orders of protection, custody and visitation, child and spousal support, divorce, and DV-related immigration proceedings.

Responsibilities:

• Providing advice, brief services and direct representation on orders of protection, custody and visitation, child and spousal support, divorce, and immigration proceedings;
• Maintain a reduced caseload;
• Maintaining case notes and data;
• Conducting intake;
• Safety planning;
• Client advocacy with government agencies, police, prosecutors, supportive services;
• Communication with personnel from a variety of institutions, including the courts, social service and government agencies;
• Participating in community outreach efforts, including attending task force meetings, organizing CLE trainings, presenting at trainings, and forming partnerships with other legal and social service organizations;
• Supervising two paralegals;
• Managing law student internship/ externship program

Qualifications and Skills:

• JD degree and bar admission in New York State;
• At least 4-8 years of experience in family and matrimonial law in New York State;
• Supervisory experience
• Excellent writing and research skills;
• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds;
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines under pressure;
• Interpersonal skills; including the ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse and trauma;
• Commitment to Shalom Task Force’s mission;
• Fluency in Russian or Hebrew a plus;
• Experience in immigration law is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

The position is full-time. STF has a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. STF’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in the office or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.