Attorney (Divorce and Custody)
Job Details
This is a full-time position (minimum 40 hours per week) working in the Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Program.
Our attorney consults, advises, and represents intimate partner abuse survivors during their divorce and custody proceedings. The Divorce and Custody Attorney works closely with the other Nest Legal Services staff and the Maxwell Street Legal Clinic staff to provide a seamless continuum of care and holistic legal services for victims of abuse, focusing on immigrant victims of domestic and dating violence throughout our 17 county region.
The attorney provides education and training to the community, legal system, school system, and law enforcement agencies regarding the dynamics of abuse and services offered by The Nest - Center for Women, Children, and Families. Our attorney works with families to eliminate the presence or possibility of violence, abuse, or neglect occurring in the home.
The attorney will have skills to address clients who have experienced chronic trauma including, but not limited to survivors of violence and systemic discrimination. The attorney should have experience working with underserved populations such as immigrants/refugees, the homeless, and LGBT+ individuals. The attorney will treat every person seeking services with dignity and respect and will set clear boundaries and maintain neutrality in the face of learning more about the complicated adverse experiences of the families we serve. The attorney will be flexible in the administration of services by being able to connect with clients by phone, text, and video conferencing when in person services are not possible.
Job Responsibilities:
Provide legal counsel and representation to IPV survivors in the divorce and custody process;
Provide information about legal alternatives, court systems, and support for IPV survivors;
Communicate with community partners such as the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as it relates to clients’ divorce and custody cases;
Inform supervisor weekly regarding caseload and progress to ensure maximum service coverage for clients;
Provide periodic training and education on intimate partner abuse throughout the service area;
Establish and maintain a professional relationship with community agencies to mitigate overlap of services between agencies and ensure a strong network through which we can refer clients for assistance; namely Maxwell Street Legal Clinic
Attend and participate in all staff and agency-related meetings as indicated by the supervisor or Executive Director;
Attend applicable training to further enhance the skilled services offered at The Nest;
Other duties as necessary and assigned.
Additional Job Expectations:
The attorney will participate in community and Nest events. The attorney’s schedule will be determined by the Director of the Program. The attorney will be expected to arrive at and leave work at designated times.
The Nest requires all staff to be present for three events each year: The Night for The Nest, Annual Staff Training, and Reindeer Express. Most projects will be conducted during business hours, but some events will take place after hours and on the weekends. Each staff is required to attend three additional events outside of a regular schedule that will be determined by the Director of the Program or Executive Director.
Some travel throughout our service region may be required.
Job Qualifications:
License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Experience in working with individuals and families in crisis relating to intimate partner violence is preferred. Understanding of dynamics of victimization and intimate partner violence. This position requires strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work well in a team setting, organization skills, and flexibility. This is a position that requires an understanding of the impact of trauma on families and staff administering services. An ideal candidate will serve from a trauma-informed lens.