Description

The domestic violence attorney position is based in Florida’s certified domestic violence centers and provides free legal representation to survivors of domestic, dating, and sexual violence and stalking. The attorney represents survivors in civil injunction for protection matters. This job is a fast-paced, litigation-heavy practice that requires a passion for the cause and zealous representation. The attorney will appear in court regularly on behalf of survivors and find considerable fulfillment serving clients seeking legal protection from their abusers.

Specifically, the attorney will provide direct legal representation to survivors of domestic, dating and sexual violence and stalking in temporary, final and other injunction for protection proceedings, and civil prosecutions of violations of injunctions. The attorney will accept referrals of 1) survivors seeking temporary injunctions, and after determining that seeking an injunction is a safe and appropriate legal remedy, will complete and file the ex parte petition for injunction and represent the survivor at the final injunction hearing; 2) survivors who have obtained a temporary injunction on their own and need representation at the hearing on the final injunction; 3) survivors who have a final injunction for protection and the respondent has violated the injunction; 4) survivors who need legal assistance to oppose a motion to dismiss the injunction and similar types of injunction representation.

Salary: the salary is very competitive for similarly positioned employment along with generous benefits and time off.

Principal Job Duties/Responsibilities

1. Provide direct legal representation to survivors of domestic, dating and sexual violence and stalking in temporary and final injunction for protection proceedings, prosecutions of violations of injunctions, and ancillary matters.
2. Assess the other needs of survivors and make appropriate referrals for services.
3. Conduct outreach in the service area with entities such as the clerk’s office, the circuit court, law enforcement agencies, state attorneys, agencies working with immigrant, elder communities and persons with disabilities, health care providers, and faith-based organizations to develop referral protocols and to offer additional venues for the attorneys to meet with survivors who are seeking injunctions for protection.
4. Complete monthly and other reports as required to monitor the completion of project goals.
5. Attend statewide conference calls and training events.

Certification or licensing requirements: Florida Bar licensed attorney in good standing with no prior Bar disciplinary proceedings that resulted in the imposition of any sanction.

Experience preferred but not required: experience with legal matters in civil law, family law, dependency law, criminal law or experience working with clients in crisis. Providing direct legal representations while a law student in a supervised law school legal clinic or internship may be included as experience. Depending on the region, lawyers with less experience may be considered.

Work Environment: the position requires limited in-state travel. Representation of survivors seeking injunctions for protection is dateline driven.

Positions Available Statewide