Staff Attorney, Anti-Trafficking Initiative

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) that provides legal services for survivors of human trafficking in a variety of legal areas. The Staff Attorney works with ATI’s 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 Attorney’s 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 ATI’s 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 Sanctuary’s 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 attorney’s 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 Sanctuary’s mission of ending gender violence and human trafficking.

Budgeted Salary : $79,962 - $92,834 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 :

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.