Associate Attorney - Family Law Practice, Mount Vernon

DEPARTMENT: KCL - Center for Legal Services

REPORTS TO: Managing Attorney, Family Law Team

LOCATION: This opportunity is based in Mount Vernon, New York (Westchester County)

JOB OVERVIEW: As the Associate Attorney – Family Law Practice, you will provide trauma-informed legal advice and representation to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, helping them to understand and pursue available legal options. You will represent clients in Westchester County Family Courts and Integrated Domestic Violence Courts, conduct emergency and non-emergency legal consultations, and assist with outreach and education programs. As part of MSP’s Center for Legal Services, you will participate in committees and working groups addressing the rights of survivors.

RESPONSIBILITES:

  • Provide holistic legal representation and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in family law matters, including orders of protection, child support, paternity, custody, and visitation.
  • Conduct all aspects of civil practice, including discovery, motion practice, negotiations, trial preparation, and trials.
  • Conduct regular intake, assessment, and referrals on legal matters, including but not limited to matrimonial, housing, benefits, and criminal.
  • Engage clients with safety planning and trauma-informed advocacy, including by connecting clients to MSP’s holistic range of supportive services.
  • Screen new clients for eligibility and provide immediate advice and counsel upon intake.
  • Oversee grants management to ensure that goals, objectives, and reporting requirements are met, including gathering and analyzing service statistics and creating program activity reports.
  • Maintain accurate records in client databases.
  • Attending and participating in department staff meetings, agency-wide committees, and ongoing training.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Juris Doctor and admission to NY State Bar.
  • 2 years of post-graduate experience in family court preferred.
  • Commitment to serving the public interest with the highest standards of client-centered legal practice.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to work independently, assess priorities, take initiative, handle multiple assignments, and meet deadlines.
  • Experience and enthusiasm for working well with diverse clients, communities, and colleagues, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
  • Fluency or proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by the communities we serve is preferred but not required.


TEAM OVERVIEW: MSP’s Center for Legal Services meets the urgent needs of clients and their families by providing legal advice and representation in the areas of family and immigration law in the context of our holistic range of supportive services.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: At MSP, we strongly believe that integrating a world-changing approach into all areas of our work is essential to ending domestic violence and human trafficking. Our dynamic and diverse team of compassionate advocates is working to create a world in which every individual has the basic human right to be free from gender-based violence and to engage in relationships that embrace the principles of respect, equality, and safety.

MSP responds to domestic violence and human trafficking in Westchester County, New York, providing multi-lingual, trauma-informed legal and supportive services. We bolster our work with clients by engaging in extensive outreach and community education, strengthening the systemic response to all forms of gender-based violence.

GREAT BENEFITS & PTO PACKAGE: MSP employees enjoy a generous health benefits package that includes dental and vision care. Our Financial Savings Plan reflects a commitment to the future well-being of our employees. PTO and self-care are important to us, and we offer a PTO plan that includes vacation, sick time, and personal days.

Salary: $75,000 - $80,000, commensurate with experience

Application Instructions: Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in the position, resume, writing sample, and the names and contact information of three references via email to Ida Serrano at [email protected].
 

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MSP values you, your growth and your contributions. My Sisters’ Place believes that an effective, broad-based movement for social transformation must be rooted in anti-oppression principles as we work toward a more just and equitable society. People of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ Community are encouraged to apply. MSP policy prohibits discrimination due to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and national origin in employment and delivery of services.