Staff Attorney

The Retreat Inc.; Hauppauge (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Retreat Inc. seeks a Staff Attorney to provide comprehensive legal support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

This exempt, full-time role centers on client representation in court and administrative settings with a trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach. You will collaborate with Advocates, coordinate with CVLN and the Criminal Bar Association, and maintain precise case documentation.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and NY Bar admission.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally, with mileage reimbursed.
• Familiarity with Family, Criminal, and Supreme Courts.
• Knowledge and understanding of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, crime victimization and the resulting trauma.
• Understanding of victims' rights, trauma-informed advocacy, and cultural sensitivity.
• Bilingual proficiency is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and representation to agency clients, including survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, and other forms of victimization.
• Provide legal assistance and representation in matters arising from or related to clients' victimization, including, but not limited to: custody, support, and protection orders.
• Provide guidance or referrals on divorce, financial issues, eviction, housing instability, and access to safe housing; immigration-related matters; and identity theft/financial fraud.
• Advocate and intervene with administrative agencies and other entities to address consequences of victimization.
• Assist with motions to vacate and/or expunge eligible convictions based on victim status.
• Collaborate with Advocacy Department and staff on legal questions and staff advisory needs.
• Serve as liaison with CVLN through the Office of Victim Services and coordinate referrals and reporting.
• Coordinate with Criminal Bar Association to access resources as needed.
• Maintain accurate documentation of client services in the agency's database.
• Coordinate with Riverhead location for administrative support.
• Perform other duties to support The Retreat's mission.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Case management

Team collaboration

Trauma-informed advocacy

Education

J.D. degree

New York Bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Staff Attorney (Bilingual strongly preferred) | Full-Time | Benefits Eligible

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: $85,000-$95,000

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (35 hours per week)

Department/Location: Survivor Legal Hub/Hauppague

POSITION SUMMARY

The Retreat is seeking a mission-driven attorney with a deep commitment to trauma-informed practice and a passion for supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. This role sits at the heart of our legal advocacy work - This position provides comprehensive legal support and representation to clients of The Retreat Survivor Legal Hub. You will join a close-knit, collaborative team dedicated to holistic, survivor-centered services that meet clients where they are and support their full path to safety and healing.

Responsibilities include providing legal advice and guidance to The Retreat's clients; consulting with Advocates regarding legal issues, client needs, and case strategy; conducting legal research and analysis; and representing clients in court and other legal proceedings.

The position also works collaboratively with The Retreat staff and Advocates to identify and address clients' legal needs, develop appropriate legal strategies, and ensure that clients' rights and interests are protected.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide legal counsel and representation to agency clients, including survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, and other forms of victimization.
• Provide legal assistance and representation in matters arising from or related to clients' victimization, including, but not limited to:
• Child custody and visitation matters;
• Child and spousal support matters; and
• Family offense proceedings, including applications for orders of protection.
• Depending on the client's circumstances, provide legal guidance or referrals regarding additional legal issues, including, but not limited to:
• Divorce;
• Financial and credit issues;
• Eviction, housing instability, and access to safe housing;
• Legal barriers to employment;
• Immigration-related matters; and
• Identity theft and financial fraud.
• Provide advocacy and intervention with administrative agencies and other entities when legal assistance may help address the consequences of a client's victimization.
• Assist with motions to vacate and/or expunge eligible convictions based on the client's status as a victim of crime.
• Collaborate closely with The Retreat's Advocacy Department and the broader team by responding to legal questions, providing legal consultation, and advising staff on issues affecting clients and their legal needs.
• Serve as The Retreat's liaison with the Crime Victims Legal Network (CVLN) through the Office of Victim Services by attending scheduled meetings, facilitating the referral and acceptance of eligible clients through the network, providing legal advice and assistance, coordinating legal representation as appropriate, and supporting accurate and timely data collection and reporting.
• Serve as a liaison with the Criminal Bar Association, as needed, to facilitate communication, collaboration, referrals, and access to appropriate legal resources.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client services in the agency's database system and ensure that client files are complete, current, and contain relevant information concerning legal matters, services provided, and case developments.
• Collaborate with the Office Assistant at the Riverhead location to coordinate administrative, clerical, scheduling, and communication support for internal and external parties who interact with The Retreat's Legal and Advocacy Departments.
• Perform other legal, advocacy, consultation, and administrative responsibilities as necessary to support The Retreat's mission and address the legal needs of clients.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

Reports to the Legal Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to the New York State Bar in good standing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally, with mileage reimbursed in accordance with agency policy.
• Familiarity with the court and legal justice system, including Family, Criminal, and Supreme Courts.
• Knowledge and understanding of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, crime victimization and the resulting trauma.
• Understanding of victims' rights, trauma-informed advocacy, and cultural sensitivity.
• Strong interpersonal communication, organizational, and case management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs and experiences of survivors of abuse.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with clients, court personnel, attorneys, law enforcement, and community partners.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual proficiency is preferred but not required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, and move between offices and court settings as required to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to travel locally between courthouses, client meetings, and community locations as needed.

OTHER DUTIES

Every effort has been made to make this job description as complete as possible. However, it is not intended to state or imply that these are the only duties, responsibilities, or activities required of this position or the sole responsibilities for which the employee will be accountable. The omission of specific duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if they are similar, related, reasonably assigned to the position, or within the scope of generally accepted practices for an employee in this role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at any time with or without notice, based on the needs of the agency.

FUNDING DISCLAIMER

This position is funded through the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) and other grants. Funding for this position may be subject to the availability and continuation of OVS funding. At the end of the funding period, the position will be evaluated to determine whether continued funding is available.

The Retreat Inc.The Retreat Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

THE RETREAT, INC. is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, age, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, gender identity, religion, genetic predisposition, familial status, ancestry, prior arrest or conviction record or any other protected category under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The agency values and is committed to providing compassionate, empathetic, culturally aware services to all clients/members. Interactions are approached with these values in mind, and it is expected that clients/members will be treated with compassion, respect, and sensitivity during the provision of holistic, inclusive, and welcoming services.