Staff Attorney

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 12 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Staff Attorney is a key position in the Anti-Trafficking Initiative (ATI) project that provides legal services for survivors of human trafficking in a variety of legal areas where survivors need legal intervention.

The Staff Attorney works with ATI’s holistic service 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 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 Staff Attorney may be asked to conduct 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 human trafficking and other co-occurring forms of gender-based violence.
• Provides legal representation in a variety of legal areas, predominantly, immigration and criminal justice advocacy.
• Represents survivors in affirmative applications before USCIS, defensive immigration representation before EOIR, and appeals when appropriate.
• Represents survivors by providing criminal justice and victim rights advocacy and criminal representation in post-conviction relief cases.
• 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 ATI’s inter-disciplinary team to administer provision of holistic, trauma-informed, survivor-centered services, and direct financial assistance and donations to clients.
• Represents Sanctuary for Families at community events relevant to Sanctuary’s Anti-Trafficking work.
• 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.
• Work in collaboration with clinicians and other 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.
• Collaborates with volunteers, interns and pro bono attorneys; supports training of junior staff members on all aspects of client contact, litigation support, case management, and / or project development.
• Performs any other Legal Department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by the Director and Deputy Director of the Anti-Trafficking Initiative.
• JD Degree Required;
• Admission to the New York State Bar;
• Experience in the fields of human trafficking or co-occurring forms of gender based violence preferred;
• Experience preferred in representing applicants in affirmative immigration filings; or criminal justice advocacy, victim rights and criminal representation in post-conviction relief cases;
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, public speaking, and leadership skills;
• Excellent writing, research and analytical skills;
• Excellent verbal / written communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent judgment;
• Ability to work independently and under pressure;
• Ability to multi-task, set priorities and navigate complex legal cases;
• Ability 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 : $78,975 - $91,688 per year; based on step wage scale, pursuant to collective bargaining agreement

Work position is Full-time - Standard 35hrs / wk; Salaried-Exempt

Work schedule is currently Hybrid; must be able to meet job location schedule obligation

Benefits :

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer retirement contribution
• Paid time off (Holidays, Vacation, Personal, Sick)
• Generous Leave Policy
• Flexible spending account / Health savings account
• Student loan assistance
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Gym reimbursement program
• Wellness program and rewards

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 characteristics, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and other categories protected under Federal, New York state or New York city laws.

Sanctuary for Families follows the requirements of the Human Rights Law including with regard to non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.

People of color, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.

We recognize that the safety, healing and self-determination of survivors of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence is at the intersection of racial, gender, economic, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and disability justice, as well as many other critical issues.

In order to realize our mission, Sanctuary strives to center DEI principles at every level of the organization and continues to deepen that commitment.