Staff Attorney

Domestic Violence Action Center; Honolulu (HI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

14 Paid Holidays

Up to 6+ weeks PTO

401K Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Pet Insurance

FSA options

Discounts at local island businesses

Mission-driven team

Job summary

The Domestic Violence Action Center invites applicants for a Staff Attorney to represent survivors in protective orders, divorce, custody, and other family law matters, helping them build safer futures for themselves and their families.

DVAC’s model pairs attorneys with advocates and paralegals, offering courtroom experience across Family, Circuit, and District Courts, mentorship for students, and ongoing trainings while you serve Hawaiʻi’s communities.

Qualifications

• Active Hawaii law license or eligibility to practice law in Hawaii.
• Experience representing survivors of domestic violence preferred.
• Commitment to trauma-informed approaches in family law.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in family court for TROs, divorce, and paternity cases.
• Manage a caseload of 25–35 active cases with movement and timely follow-up.
• Draft pleadings, conduct legal research, attend court hearings, and client meetings.
• Answer calls and provide legal support through DVAC’s Helpline.
• Work collaboratively with advocates and social service staff.
• Maintain professionalism, compassion, and integrity in all client interactions.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Trauma-informed care understanding

Ability to manage caseload (25–35)

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Hawaii Bar License or eligibility

Job description

At the Domestic Violence Action Center, your legal work changes lives. As a Staff Attorney, you’ll represent survivors of domestic violence in protective order, divorce, custody, and other family law matters, helping them build safer, more stable futures for themselves and their families.

You won’t do this work alone. DVAC’s model pairs attorneys with advocates and paralegals, so every client’s legal and safety needs are handled together. You’ll gain meaningful courtroom experience across Family, Circuit, and District Courts, mentor law students and interns, and attend at least four trainings, seminars, or conferences each year to keep growing your skills.

We offer a hybrid schedule, a supportive team, wellness resources, and UHA health benefits. Most of all, you’ll be part of a mission-driven organization that has served Hawaiʻi’s communities for years, where cultural humility, collaboration, and compassion guide everything we do.

If you’re ready to use your law degree for the people who need it most, we’d love to hear from you.

What We Offer:

• 14 Paid Holidays, including your birthday off!
• Up to 6+ weeks annual PTO, with accrual starting Day 1!
• 401K Retirement Plan (Mutual of America)
• Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, & FSA options
• Discounts at local businesses across the island
• A passionate, mission-aligned team making a daily impact

Key Responsibilities:

• Represent clients in family court for TROs, divorce, and paternity cases
• Manage a caseload of 25–35 active cases with movement and timely follow-upsharmy?
• Draft pleadings, conduct legal research, attend court hearings, and client meetings
• Answer calls and provide legal support through DVAC’s Helpline
• Work collaboratively with advocates and social service staff
• Maintain professionalism, compassion, and integrity in all client interactions

Minimum Qualifications:

• Licensed to practice law in Hawaii and in good standing (preferred)
• OR eligible under Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.16
• Passion for justice and commitment to serving survivors of abuse
• Understanding of domestic violence dynamics and trauma-informed care
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Flexibility and emotional resilience in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment

Why Join DVAC?

• Impact-Driven Work: Be part of a respected nonprofit rooted in survivor-centered advocacy and legal services
• Supportive Team Culture: Collaborate with attorneys, advocates, and professionals deeply committed to our mission
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for legal training, policy influence, and leadership within the community
• Work-Life Balance: Full-time, salaried role with predictable hours and meaningful, focused work

We believe all persons should be treated with equality, dignity and fairness. With high quality and culturally sensitive programs, delivered with integrity and compassion we are creating safety and self-sufficiency for survivors and their children.