Staff Attorney

Domestic Violence Action Center; Honolulu (HI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Wellness resources

UHA health benefits

Job summary

The Staff Attorney provides client-centered legal representation to survivors of domestic violence in Family Court and related civil matters, such as protective orders, divorce, and custody.

This role carries an active legal caseload, directs the paralegal work on assigned cases, responds to Helpline callers, and works closely with advocates and other DVAC staff so that each client’s legal and safety needs are addressed together, with understanding and compassion for the emotional needs of

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Hawaii or eligibility.
• Experience in litigation or willingness to litigate.
• Familiarity with family law and Hawaii courts.
• Experience representing survivors of domestic violence preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an active caseload of 25–35 cases and manage deadlines.
• Interview clients, draft pleadings, conduct legal research.
• Appear in court and represent clients in hearings.
• Coordinate with paralegals and ensure timely case progression.
• Follow intake, conflict checks, and case-acceptance procedures.
• Mentor law students and supervise support staff as needed.

Skills

Caseload management

Courtroom advocacy

Legal research

Written communication

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

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 Hawaii’s communities for years, where cultural humility, collaboration, and compassion guide everything we do.

Job Description: Staff Attorney

Reports To: Managing Attorney

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Caseload: 25–35 active cases

Location: DVAC Main office, with court appearances as required at Family Court, Circuit Court, District Court and other court locations (Hybrid, Tier 2)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Staff Attorney provides client-centered legal representation to survivors of domestic violence in Family Court and related civil matters, such as protective orders, divorce, and custody. This role carries an active legal caseload, directs the paralegal work on assigned cases, responds to Helpline callers, and works closely with advocates and other DVAC staff so that each client’s legal and safety needs are addressed together, with understanding and compassion for the emotional needs of survivors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Representation

• Maintain an active caseload of 25–35 cases, not including restraining orders, ensuring thesteady movement and progression of all cases; caseload may be adjusted by the ManagingAttorney based on case complexity.
• Interview and assess clients, draft pleadings and other legal documents, and conduct legalresearch.
• Appear in court on behalf of agency clients, attend hearings and meetings, and fulfill allother responsibilities of a licensed attorney in Hawaii representing clients on a timelybasis.
• Calendar all court and client-related deadlines in the Legal Team calendar and ensure theyare met.
• Follow the Legal Services intake, conflict check, and case acceptance procedures beforetaking on new matters.
• Direct and review the work of paralegals assigned to clients and cases. This role does notcarry personnel supervisory responsibility.

Confidentiality and Professional Responsibility

• Comply with the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct, attorney-client privilege, andDVAC’s confidentiality and survivor safety procedures, including federal confidentialityrequirements for survivor information.
• Coordinate with advocates on shared clients while protecting privileged communicationsand sharing only what the client has authorized.
• Maintain an active Hawaii law license in good standing and meet Hawaii State Barcontinuing legal education requirements.
• Notify the Managing Attorney promptly of any disciplinary complaint, malpractice claim, or change in license status.

Helpline and Client Support

• Answer and appropriately log Helpline calls for information, community referrals, advocacy, or crisis counseling; assess the seriousness of each call and respond in a calmand professional manner.
• Make appropriate community and private attorney referrals for clients and callers needingsupport DVAC cannot provide.
• Collaborate with advocates, the EXPO team, and other DVAC staff to deliver timely,coordinated legal and support services consistent with DVAC’s mission and philosophy.

Program Support

• Provide input on agency protocols for client case acceptance, client fees for service, referrals to private attorneys, standards of practice, and Helpline call handling.
• Represent DVAC in the community alongside the Managing Attorney including at trainings,coalitions, and partner meetings, as required.
• Support organizational and grant reporting by accurately documenting court appearances,client and telephone contacts, case preparation, materials, and community consultations.
• Keep accurate time sheets and time charge codes for grant and program reporting.
• Attend at least four relevant trainings, seminars, or conferences per year to stay current onfamily law and domestic violence issues.
• Provide trainings to staff, partners, and the community as requested.
• Mentor law students and legal interns assigned to shadow day-to-day legal work,supporting their professional growth and knowledge while ensuring client confidentiality ismaintained.
• Participate in supervision, performance evaluations, and case reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Managing Attorney.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Hawaii and insurable, with no pending disciplinary counselcomplaints or prior Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) actions in any jurisdiction.
• Experience in litigation, or a willingness to litigate cases.
• Familiarity with substantive and procedural family law, and with Family Court in Hawaii oranother jurisdiction.
• Experience representing survivors of domestic violence or working with legal aid ornonprofit legal services preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Familiarity with domestic violence issues, court and system procedures, and communityservice providers.
• Knowledge of the dynamics of family violence and trauma-informed legal practicepreferred.
• Knowledge of feminist analyses of violence against women preferred.
• Commitment to client-centered legal advocacy and to working with and representingindividuals affected by physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse.
• Willingness to work collaboratively with advocates and other staff serving survivors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including clear legal writing andcourtroom advocacy.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, multitask, and adapt tochanging responsibilities.
• Cultural humility and understanding of the communities DVAC serves throughout Hawaii.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Hybrid position (Tier 2) under DVAC’s Hybrid & Remote Work Policy, with a minimum of 2–3in-office days per week and regular in-person court appearances. Hybrid schedules areestablished through a signed Remote Work Agreement after the first 90 days ofemployment.
• Available during core hours (8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, or an agreed-upon 8-hour band) for meetings, supervision, calls, and urgent client needs, regardless of worklocation.
• Regular travel to courthouses and other locations as required; flexible hours may beneeded to meet court schedules and case deadlines.
• May be exposed to sensitive, high-stress situations involving disclosures of trauma andviolence, with potential for secondary/vicarious trauma exposure; access to supervisionand wellness resources will be provided to support staff wellbeing.
• Outside employment, including outside legal practice, requires prior written consent of theManaging Attorney and the Chief Executive Officer.
• Successful completion of background checks as required by agency policy and fundingsources.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable qualified individuals withdisabilities to perform essential job functions, consistent with the Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA) and the Hawaii Fair Employment Practices Law (HRS Chapter 378).

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed

and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.