Domestic Violence Staff Attorney, Fayetteville (202401-275)

Position Location: Fayetteville, North Carolina

Mission and Vision: Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. Legal Aid is an innovative, creative, progressive, and efficient civil legal service provider to the poor, working towards an inclusive justice system of equal access. All voices are valued, heard, and respected.

Why Join Legal Aid? Are you committed to the idea that all people deserve access to justice in our legal system? Do you want to use your talents to do deeply meaningful work, serve those experiencing poverty and work with a respected and impactful organization?

Legal Aid of North Carolina is theonly statewide legal services organization serving low-income people in all 100 counties. It is the third largest law firm in North Carolina, employing 230 lawyers, 425 staff and serving over 40,000 people each year. It has offices located in 23 counties throughout the state.

In addition to providing direct legal services, Legal Aid assists thousands of people every year in enrolling in health insurance coverage and provides other critical needs to those experiencing poverty.

Legal Aid lawyers and staff work closely with clients, devising strategies and pursuing legal remedies that help clients obtain successful outcomes. Many lawyers gain significant courtroom experience, trying cases, arguing motions and even pursuing appeals in North Carolina’s appellate court. Other lawyers, paralegals, and staff handle transactional matters, for example by helping seniors with wills and other advanced directives. In whatever capacity you choose to join us, we can promise that Legal Aid delivers a life-changing experience, both for you and for your clients.

Position Summary: Legal Aid of North Carolina – Fayetteville Office is seeking a full-time Domestic Violence Attorney. The ideal candidate is passionate about working for Legal Aid and serving their clientele, is a creative problem solver, is motivated and has proven team leadership ability.

Job Description: The Domestic Violence Staff Attorney will:

• Provide direct legal services to clients, mainly in the practice areas of Domestic Violence and family law, but also possibly ancillary matters such as custody, housing, expunctions, benefits, and consumer.
• Handle a broad variety of tasks that facilitate the team’s mission of effective, high quality legal services that comply with LANC priorities and meet funding targets.
• Collaborate with Create and facilitate Interview clients and identify their legal problems, employing techniques and principles of trauma-informed advocacy.
• Devise strategies for resolving client legal matters.
• Advise and educate clients.
• Represent clients in courtroom hearings.
• Negotiate with opposing counsel or unrepresented opposing parties.
• Write and argue motions.
• Draft pleadings and other legal papers.
• Draft and engage in discovery.
• Provide community education and outreach in impacted communities.
• Liaise with collaborative community partners, such as the local crisis centers, the District Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement agencies, and other nonprofit organizations.
• Represent Legal Aid by engaging with the local legal community.

Qualifications: Candidates applying for this position should have the following qualifications:

• A passion to serve low-income clients.
• A commitment to the mission and values of Legal Aid of North Carolina.
• A commitment to, appreciation for, and understanding of organizational values around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• A juris doctorate and a license to practice law in the State of North Carolina.
• Good communication skills: the ability to communicate effectively with clients from different backgrounds, government officials, community partners, and adversaries.
• Ability to teach, train and mentor others.
• A spirit of collaboration with both internal and external partners.
• Ability to develop, grow and maintain internal and external alliances.
• Self-motivated, with the proven ability to set goals and meet self-imposed and external deadlines.
• Work well in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Be able to exercise good judgment.
• Honest, trustworthy, reliable, and open to feedback
• Strong communication and writing skills.
• Attention to detail.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Driver’s license and transportation.
• No pending North Carolina State Bar disciplinary proceedings.
• Spanish-speaking ability is preferred.

Salary and Employee Benefits:

$50,500+(entry-level), depending on experience. Legal Aid of North Carolina provides excellent health, retirement, disability, and leave benefits. Employee medical, vision, dental, and life insurance premiums are covered at 100% by the employer. Discretionary 401(k) contributions with no match required. Paid leave includes 1.75 days per month (21 leave days in the first two years; 30 days in subsequent years), 12 paid holidays, two floating holidays, and other paid leave. The Supervising Attorney will have opportunities for participation and leadership in the North Carolina Bar Association and other local bar associations.

Vaccinations: Legal Aid of North Carolina requires that employees have a COVID-19 vaccination, subject to reasonable accommodations for medical or religious reasons, or as otherwise required by law.

Are you the next Domestic Violence Attorney in our Fayetteville Office? To apply for this position, submit a cover letter, resume, the names, and contact information for three references to the Managing Attorney of the Fayetteville Office, Ida T. Baker at idab@legalaidnc.org.

Legal Aid of North Carolina is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All are welcome to apply. Selection will be based on relevant qualifications and will be made without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, genetic information, disability, marital status, familial status, service in the military or any other legally protected category. We thrive when we are diverse and inclusive therefore, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organizational culture and hiring. We highly encourage candidates with lived experience in the communities that we serve to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,500.00 - $83,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person