Position Summary

This is a 100% virtual office position for a candidate that must reside and be licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania.

The Staff Attorney is responsible for providing holistic and trauma informed legal advice and counsel and brief services to victims of sexual violence. The Staff Attorney is expected to represent clients in court, prepare legal documents, investigate complaints, and prepare cases requiring limited representation for trial or administrative proceedings. The Staff Attorney is expected to use a holistic lens to meet the varied and unique legal needs of victims of sexual violence. Caseloads will include, but are not limited to, Title IX proceedings, sexual violence protection order petitions, sexual violence intimidation order petitions, criminal justice advocacy, landlord tenant matters, and employment discrimination matters. The Staff Attorney will collaborate with members of other internal and external groups addressing issues surrounding sexual violence in the courtroom and in communities throughout Pennsylvania. The Respect Together office is based in Harrisburg, PA, however this position can be remote.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Advice and Counsel

Provide information to victims of sexual violence regarding the legal rights and remedies available to them as victims of crime. Frequently this advice and counsel will take place over the telephone. Additionally the Staff Attorney will be responsible for providing appropriate referrals to local community resources, including alternative methods of available legal assistance. The Staff Attorney will connect clients with rape crisis centers for services and safety planning where safety is an identifiable issue.

Short-term Representation

The Staff Attorney will provide short-term legal services and representation to victims of sexual violence in court and administrative hearings. The Staff Attorney, in conjunction with the administrative staff of the Legal Department, will be responsible for obtaining the required written, informed consent for limited representation. The Staff Attorney must be committed to a holistic approach to identify and resolve the legal needs of victims of sexual violence and deliver representation in a trauma informed manner.

Qualifications

A Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; a Pennsylvania law license demonstrating current eligibility to practice law in PA. A minimum of three years experience in the practice of law, including significant courtroom experience, is preferred. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong research, writing and editing skills.
• Litigation experience.
• Strong oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Understanding of issues of cultural and socioeconomic diversity as they apply to sexual violence prevention, intervention and services.
• Ability to provide highly skilled attention to client safety, confidentiality, empowerment, and accessibility through trauma informed legal representation.

Education and/or Experience

A JD from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. A minimum of three years experience in the practice of law, including significant courtroom experience, is preferred. Thorough knowledge and understanding of Pennsylvania civil law and practice related to sexual violence, particularly protection order, Title IX, child protective service mandated reporting laws, criminal law and privileged communications law, as well as an understanding of the access and representation issues confronted by victims of sexual violence in civil courts. Demonstrated knowledge of sexual violence, an understanding of related issues, and a commitment to ending sexual violence.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Requirements

• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously and ability to meet strict deadlines. Ability to identify and respond to shifting priorities.
• Must be a self-starter that can work within a team and fast-paced environment and handle a variety of tasks with multiple deadlines. Must be very detail-oriented and work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Must possess excellent project management, organizational and negotiation skills. Excellent client service skills.
• Demonstrated sensitivity and ability to collaboratively work with individuals and groups from diverse populations and organizations. Ability to maintain cooperative and professional demeanor with rape crisis centers, coalitions, agency staff/board, council members, vendors, consultants, allied professionals and the general public. Must be able to foster positive working relationships with people and create a respectful and open accessible environment.
• Must have proficiency with the technology necessary for the functions of the position.
• Submit successful screenings to determine eligibility for working with minors including: Federal and State Criminal Background Checks based upon fingerprint analysis; PA Child Abuse Clearance Verification; and, Public Search of National and State Sex Offender Registries.
• Accept and abide by the mission and core values of PCAR.
• Must be willing to complete a Pennsylvania rape crisis center sexual assault victim counselor training, if not already completed in the past 3 years.
• Availability to travel statewide, some overnights and weekends. Must possess a valid Pennsylvania drivers license, insurance, and reliable vehicle.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must possess a PA law license demonstrating current eligibility to pra…