What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney position at Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center?
The Staff Attorney provides civil legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking through Safe Passage's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Program.
The Staff Attorney will play a key leadership role in developing and expanding the legal services program. This position offers a unique opportunity to help build a legal project from the ground up while providing direct legal services, court representation, and program development.
The attorney will have the opportunity to appear in court immediately upon hire and will work closely with leadership to establish systems, procedures, and service delivery models that support the long-term success of the program.
The attorney delivers trauma-informed, survivor-centered, culturally responsive legal representation designed to enhance victim safety, autonomy, and long-term stability while maintaining strict confidentiality and compliance with federal grant requirements.
Legal services are provided without regard to a survivor's cooperation with law enforcement or participation in criminal proceedings, consistent with OVW LAV Program guidelines.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Direct Legal Representation
Provide civil legal representation to eligible survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in matters including family law and protection orders.
Conduct legal consultations, case assessments, and survivor-centered legal planning.
Prepare pleadings, motions, declarations, and legal correspondence.
Represent clients in court proceedings, hearings, mediations, and negotiations.
Provide survivor-driven representation that supports client autonomy, informed decision-making, and safety.
Trauma-Informed and Survivor-Centered Practice
Deliver legal services using trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and empowerment-based practices.
Collaborate with advocates to integrate legal services into comprehensive safety planning.
Maintain knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Promote meaningful access to legal services for survivors with limited English proficiency, disabilities, or other barriers, including coordinating interpretation and translation services as needed.
Grant Compliance and Case Management
Maintain accurate and timely case records and documentation.
Track services, case outcomes, and required data for program reporting.
Comply with all funder requirements, attorney ethical obligations, Safe Passage’s confidentiality standards, attorney-client privilege requirements, and applicable federal and state laws, including VAWA and OVW LAV program requirements.
Collaboration and Community Engagement
Collaborate with Safe Passage Paralegal and Court Advocate to support survivor safety and access to services while maintaining confidentiality and attorney-client privilege.
Participate in coordinated community response efforts and cross-disciplinary partnerships that improve outcomes for survivors.
Professional Responsibilities
Maintain active membership in good standing with the Idaho State Bar.
Stay current on developments in family law, victim rights law, and trauma-informed legal practice.
Build the Safe Passage Legal Program from the ground up, including development of policies, procedures, workflows, and service delivery models
Assist in designing and implementing strategic goals and objectives for the legal program
Participate in required grant training, continuing legal education, and professional development activities.
Support Safe Passage's mission, values, and survivor-centered philosophy.
Complete yearly CLE’s as required
Minimum Qualifications
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in Idaho.
Experience serving survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or demonstrated commitment to victim services.
Knowledge of civil legal systems affecting survivors.
Strong legal writing, advocacy, communication, and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in family law, protection orders, victim advocacy, or related civil legal services.
Experience with direct legal representation
Experience working with underserved, rural, or marginalized communities.
Familiarity with federally funded grant programs and related reporting requirements.
Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency or experience working with interpreters and translated materials.
Schedule and Compensation
- Full-time, Monday-Friday
- Salary Position, grant funded through OVW through 2027 with potential 36-month noncompetitive continuation
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance offered, with partial employer contribution
- 11 Paid Holidays, plus 20 Days PTO, and Paid Parental Leave
- 2% retirement contribution
- Voluntary life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free, confidential counseling services
- Training opportunities to meet CLE requirements
- Payment of annual bar dues
- This is not a remote position
Equal Opportunity Statement
Safe Passage is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences and are committed to providing equitable services to all survivors.
Pay: From $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $85,000