Staff Attorney, Anti-Trafficking Initiative

ABOUT US

Sanctuary for Families is New Yorks 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) that provides legal services for survivors of human trafficking in a variety of legal areas. The Staff Attorney works with ATIs holistic service team to provide comprehensive trauma-informed holistic and survivor-centered services for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and/or human trafficking through legal consultations direct representation case management assistance and community education and outreach. A critical aspect of the Staff Attorneys role is 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 collaborate 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 advocacy for victim rights and criminal representation in post-conviction relief cases.
• Represents survivors in humanitarian immigration relief before a variety of federal agencies including but not limited to asylum SIJS T and U Nonimmigrant Status VAWA and any other form of relief available.
• Represent survivors in limited scope family law matters including but not limited to guardianship proceedings custody and orders of protection.
• 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 ATIs inter-disciplinary team to provide holistic trauma-informed survivor-centered linguistically competent services and direct financial assistance and donations to clients.
• Helps to mentor project assistants volunteer attorneys legal fellows and/or interns as they provide legal services referrals and support to clients.
• Represents Sanctuary for Families at community events relevant to Sanctuarys Anti-Trafficking work and on task forces and other political and advocacy committees outside the agency.
• Maintains timely and accurate records in electronic databases and data relating to client services for grant reporting purposes.
• Works in collaboration with clinicians other attorneys health care providers local state and federal law enforcement agencies and district attorneys offices and any other organization to secure the best results for our clients.
• Performs any other Legal Department or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by the Director and Supervising Attorney of the Anti-Trafficking Initiative.

• JD Degree.
• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• Experience in the fields of human trafficking or co-occurring forms of gender based violence.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish and English required.
• 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 and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Ability to multi-task set priorities and navigate complex legal cases through creative problem-solving.
• 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 Sanctuarys mission of ending gender violence and human trafficking.

Budgeted Salary: $79962 - $92834 per year; based on experience pursuant to STEP wage scale in accordance with collective bargaining agreement.

Work position is Full-time Salaried/ Exempt.

Work schedule is currently hybrid; must be able to meet job location schedule obligations

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

Sanctuary for Families is a welcoming workplace. 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.

Survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.