Legal Advocate

Date: 1/6/2025

FULL TIME and NON EXEMPT

Reports to: Senior Manager of Legal Services

Schedule of Hours: Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week

Position Remote Eligible: No

Mandated Reporter: No

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

As the only agency in San Mateo County with the sole purpose of serving those experiencing intimate partner abuse, CORA provides safety, support and healing. CORA’s comprehensive services include a 24-hour hotline, collaboration with law enforcement, emergency shelter options, legal services and family-centered mental health therapy. In addition, CORA provides community education and prevention programming throughout the county. CORA is a multicultural agency committed to serving individuals, regardless of age, ethnicity/race, financial status, language, sexual orientation, immigration status, class, religion, gender, gender expression, mental or physical ability.

POSITION SUMMARY

The purpose of this position is to provide legal advocacy services to victims/survivors of domestic violence with family law (restraining orders, divorce, child custody, etc.) and related criminal law issues. The Legal Advocate will provide legal information and referrals; assist in preparation of legal documents and correspondence; accompany clients to court proceedings; and assist with volunteer coordination.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist survivors in completing and filing family court paperwork.
• Provide supportive services including legal information and referrals to survivors in-person and via CORA’s legal information line.
• Provide court accompaniment, support, and advocacy for clients at restraining order hearings, mediation appointments, law enforcement interviews, and other legal proceedings.
• Provide client-specific advocacy to meet identified client needs, such as contact with other service providers, law enforcement, etc.
• Provide help to navigate the civil justice, criminal justice, and social services systems; referrals; follow up services; and ongoing support to victims/survivors.
• Communicate tactfully and effectively while advocating for clients with law enforcement, courts, district attorney, and other community agencies.

OTHER DUTIES

• Collect and maintain statistical records on services provided, as required by Grants Officer and funders, and ensure compliance with funding requirements.
• Support legal team with case management; including serving legal documents by mail, completing forms, opening and closing files, and filing documents at court.
• Train, supervise, and coordinate assignments of legal advocacy volunteers.
• Maintain the confidentiality of client, staff, volunteer, and agency information.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients and other staff.
• Maintain collaborative relationships and provide liaison services with the legal community, law enforcement, and court systems.
• Provide professional training to groups (staff/volunteers, law enforcement, partner agencies, etc.) and participate in community meetings as assigned by supervisor.
• Work closely with other CORA departments in order to best serve clients and the community.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bilingual in oral and written English/Spanish required.
• Ability to comprehend and analyze legal information, including statutes, and to explain it in an understandable way to clients.
• Knowledge of family and criminal court systems.
• Knowledge of and experience with providing trauma-informed services.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all persons regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, economic background, immigration status or sexual orientation.
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally competent services and work with a diverse staff and clientele in an empathetic and non-judgmental manner.
• BA degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in the provision of social services.
• Completion of the 40-hour training mandated by the California Office of Emergency Services. Candidates who have not completed the 40-hour training will be required to do so and will be provided by CORA.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid CA Driver’s license, insurance and ability to drive own vehicle for work purposes to travel within San Mateo County.
• Background check, including fingerprinting clearance from the Department of Justice.
• Demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States.

MANDATED REPORTER STATUS

This position is not subject to mandated reporting under California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Such a report, including sharing information with another employee who is a mandated reporter position without following "release of confidential information" policies is a breach of confidentiality is a violation of state and federal law and can result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

CORA History and Overview

CORA has provided services to survivors of intimate partner abuse for nearly 40 years. Our programs include Crisis Intervention Services, including a 24-hour hotline, collaboration with law enforcement, emergency shelter options, and supportive counseling. Family Support Services provides mental health therapy, supportive/transitional housing, and a children’s program. CORA has robust legal services for survivors of domestic violence and provides educational workshops about the dynamics of domestic violence and healthy relationship skills.

CORA is strengths-based, collaborative, accessible, and client-centered. CORA believes that everyone deserves to be treated with respect in their intimate relationships. We provide safety, support and healing to individuals who experience abuse in an intimate relationship and educate the community to break the cycle of domestic violence. Regardless of a survivor’s race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or culture, we save lives and provide an opportunity to begin again.

CORA inspires work of the highest caliber by fostering staff engagement through transparency and inclusion in agency decisions wherever possible. We strive to ensure our policies and communications reflect an appreciation of the impact of social inequities, historical and current, and actively promote healthy relationships amongst staff by demonstrating mutual respect in all our communications.

CORA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We seek diversity with respect to race, color, age, sex, (including breastfeeding and medical conditions related to breastfeeding), religion (including religious dress or grooming practices), national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic characteristics and information, ancestry, marital status, family status, political belief, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), medical condition, military, or veteran status or any other category or status protected by Federal, State or other applicable laws.

All applicants are welcome. Individuals who are bilingual, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and/or survivors of domestic violence are strongly encouraged to apply. The position will remain open until filled.