Overview
ABOUT US
Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 11 locations throughout New York City.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Senior Staff Attorney is a key position on the EMPOWER Center and Anti-Trafficking Initiative programs that provides and supervises the legal services for survivors of human trafficking in immigration, criminal justice advocacy, and vacatur cases. The Senior Staff Attorney works with the EMPOWER Center team to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed, holistic, and survivor-centered services for our clients of commercial sexual exploitation and/or human trafficking, through legal consultations, direct representation, case management assistance, and community education and outreach. The Senior Staff Attorney uses a trauma-informed approach to promote clients’ right to self-determination and provide services in a manner that emphasizes safety, respect, and dignity. The Senior Staff Attorney conducts trainings and community outreach, and collaborates with other agencies to advocate for systematic change.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Screens, advises, and advocates for clients who are survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in legal and non-legal forums.
- Provides criminal justice advocacy, victim rights, civil and criminal representation in post-conviction relief cases or provides referrals when appropriate.
- Coordinates and supervises pro bono attorneys, staff attorney(s), and legal volunteers to conduct legal consultations, victim identification, and referral for free legal representation of clients referred to the EMPOWER Center.
- Advocates for clients in a wide variety of legal and social systems, including criminal justice, immigration, landlord/tenant, consumer credit, public benefits, etc.
- Develops and conducts trainings and outreach to judges, law enforcement agencies, social service providers, health care professionals, and community organizations on the dynamics of human trafficking, commercial exploitation, and possible legal remedies.
- Collaborates with EMPOWER Case Manager and the ATI Case Management team to administer provision of direct financial assistance and donations to clients.
- Represents Sanctuary for Families and the EMPOWER Center at community events.
- Represents Sanctuary for Families on task forces and other political and advocacy committees outside the agency.
- Maintains data relating to client services for grant reporting purposes.
- Collaborates with clinicians, attorneys, health care providers, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and district attorney’s offices, and any other organization, to secure the best results for our clients.
- Performs any other Legal Department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by the Co-Directors of the EMPOWER Center, and the Director and Deputy Director of the Anti-Trafficking Initiative.
- JD Degree Required;
- Admission to the New York State Bar;
- Minimum of 5 years of experience practicing criminal, family law or immigration, preferably in the public interest sector;
- Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws that pertain to human trafficking, especially criminal, family law and/or immigration;
- Experience working in the fields of human trafficking or co-occurring forms of gender based violence preferred;
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, public speaking, and leadership skills;
- Excellent writing, research and analytical skills;
- Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills;
- Excellent judgment;
- Bilingual English and a relevant community language (e.g. Spanish, Mandarin);
- Ability to work independently and under pressure;
- Ability to work well with people of diverse educational, cultural and professional backgrounds;
- Knowledge of the dynamics of gender-based oppression and a strong motivation to combat gender-based violence;
- Sensitive to issues of cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity with strong lawyering, advocacy, and leadership skills, to provide zealous, skilled, and empathic legal advocacy to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation;
- Deep understanding of and ability to work well with people of diverse national, ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds; and
- Energetic and passionate about Sanctuary’s mission of ending gender violence and human trafficking.
Budgeted Salary: $80,000
Work position is hybrid.
Vaccination Policy: Proof of vaccination or proof of first dose with scheduled 2nd dose within 30 days is required.
Benefits:
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Employer retirement contribution
- Paid time off
- Flex spending account
- Student loan assistance
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Gym reimbursement program
All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristic, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and shall also follow the requirements of the Human Rights Law with regard to non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.
D.E.I Commitment: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core values at Sanctuary for Families that represent our dedication to fostering a safe, respectful, responsive, and fair work environment. We recognize the value diversity holds in embracing all employees, clients, and volunteers regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or professional level.
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