STAFF ATTORNEY
JOB DESCRIPTION
Mission Statement: The mission of Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response® (STAR®) is to support survivors of sexual trauma, improve systems response, and create social change to end sexual violence.
Position Description: The primary duty of the Staff Attorney is to provide legal assistance and representation to sexual assault survivors. This position will provide sexual assault victims with comprehensive legal consultations, representation and referrals; practice areas include privacy, safety, employment, education, housing, financial compensation including public benefits, criminal justice system advocacy, and/or other legal needs that arise from a sexual assault.
Classification: 40 hrs/wk (Full-Time/Exempt)
Reports to: Legal Director
Supervises: Legal Interns (as requested)
Home Office: New Orleans Branch
Salary and Benefits: Base pay range is $53,000 - $60,000; additional compensation will depend on education, knowledge, and experience. Our benefits include:
● Paid Time Off (PTO) and Extended Leave Bank (ELB): Full-time employees will receive 8 hours of PTO and 2 hours of ELB each pay period, which accumulates to 24 days of PTO and 6 days of ELB annually. These benefits can be used for personal and medical leave.
● Paid Holidays: We offer 15 paid holidays throughout the year, including Mardi Gras.
● Health Care Coverage: Full-time employees are eligible for health care coverage after two full calendar months of employment. Our comprehensive coverage includes medical, dental, and vision insurance provided through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. STAR covers 70% of your monthly premium. Additionally, STAR contributes annually to the Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to help cover medical expenses applied to an employee's Blue Cross Blue Shield deductible.
● Group Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: STAR pays 100% of the employee-only premium for all full-time employees, providing coverage for Life and AD&D insurance up to $25,000.
● Professional Development Support: We value the growth and development of our employees. Therefore, STAR reimburses costs associated with professional licensure expenses. Additionally, STAR provides 32 hours of work time for professional development training each year.
● Mileage and Travel Reimbursement: Employees receive mileage and travel reimbursement for work-related travel each month at the Louisiana State Mileage Rate. We understand the importance of compensating you for your business-related expenses.
● Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Our EAP provides free short-term therapy and support to employees and their loved ones, ensuring access to mental health resources when needed.
● Retirement Program: Employees have the opportunity to enroll in our 403b retirement program through Mutual of America. This program enables you to save for your future and plan for a comfortable retirement.
Please note that the benefits mentioned above are subject to eligibility criteria, terms, and conditions outlined in the company's benefits policy.
Position Duties
Daily
● Clock-in and clock-out using the organization’s online timekeeping system
● Provide sexual assault victims with comprehensive legal consultations, representation and referrals; practice areas include privacy, safety, employment, education, housing, financial compensation including public benefits, criminal justice system advocacy, and/or other legal needs that arise from a sexual assault
● Conduct safety plans with all survivors
● Connect survivors with additional services throughout the community as needed
● Attend court, return client calls, and draft legal documents as needed
Weekly
● Participate in weekly check-in meetings to discuss new legal requests
● Attend branch meetings as available
● Attend meetings with community partners as needed
Semi-Monthly
● Submit timesheets to supervisor for approval
Monthly
● Submit Time & Effort and mileage forms to supervisor for approval
● Participate in legal team meetings
● Participate in monthly staff meetings
● Attend community meetings as requested
Semi-Annually
Annually
● Submit licensure renewal and all related reports for legal team fees
● Participate in performance review with Legal Director
● Maintain compliance requirements for continuing legal education
As Needed
● Assist in developing grant reports as required by funders.
● Travel throughout STAR’s service area to provide legal assistance and representation
Qualifications for this Position
The following are the minimum requirements for this position.
● You are licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Louisiana.
● You have a law degree from a school accredited by the American Bar Association.
● You adhere, at all times, to the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct and Code of Professionalism.
● You have at least one year of experience providing legal representation (preferred).
● You demonstrate knowledge, expertise, and commitment to social justice and/or victim services work.
● You have the ability to issue spot and critically analyze factual scenarios at a relatively fast pace.
● You have strong legal writing and research skills.
● You have effective oral advocacy skills.
● You have the ability to think creatively and problem-solve.
● You are able to travel throughout Louisiana.
The following are preferred qualifications for this position:
● Attorney practice experience in legal aid, public interest, sexual violence, domestic violence, immigration, Title IX, employment, and housing matters
● Experience providing victim services
● Knowledge of civil legal remedies for sexual assault victims
● Demonstrated experience working with marginalized and underserved populations
● Courtroom experience
Requirements for all Positions at STAR
STAR expects the following qualities for the members of our team.
● You are committed to carrying out STAR’s mission, vision and philosophy.
● You adhere to STAR’s core values, policies and procedures.
● You value differences, recognizing that different perspectives and cultural diversity make the world a better place to be.
● You uphold the highest ethical standards and respect for confidentiality.
● You communicate effectively, problem solve, and work well with people from diverse backgrounds.
● You know how to secure and deploy resources both effectively and efficiently.
● You build strong relationships, and you deliver effective client and survivor-centric solutions.
● You have strong writing skills and maintain quality documentation free of grammatical and spelling errors.
● You display professionalism with clients and co-workers.
● You take care of yourself by knowing your personal limitations, communicating your needs to others, and asking for help when needed.
● You can handle multiple tasks simultaneously and have excellent organizational skills.
● You can identify and respond to shifting priorities.
● You are committed to learning and growing both professionally and personally.
● You consent to and successfully complete a full background investigation, which includes a criminal history check and fingerprinting.
● You have completed, or will complete in the first year of employment, a mandatory 40 hours of sexual violence training; plus 20 hours of continuing education/training annually.
● You have a valid driver’s license and a working, insured vehicle at the time of appointment.
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Signature Date
Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions shall be consistent with the principles of equal opportunity employment. Accommodations to enable all individuals to participate in the application process may be provide
