Civil Legal Representation Staff Attorney, Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Posted by Congreso de Latinos Unidos on December 21, 2015

Position Announcement
Civil Legal Representation (CLR) Staff Attorney
Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. is currently seeking a Civil Legal Representation (CLR) Staff Attorney. The full-time Civil Legal Representation (CLR) project staff attorney will have passed the Pennsylvania Bar Exam and be able to demonstrate expertise in providing legal representation to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking in the Latino and immigrant communities. She/he must complete the agency’s mandatory 40 hours of training in connection with domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Additional training on evidence-based risk factors for domestic violence and dating violence homicide is also mandatory. The staff attorney must participate in the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) Domestic Violence Attorney Network by attending meetings five times each year in Harrisburg and actively participating in the network listserv. All CLR project staff must participate fully in all project evaluations and site visits undertaken by PCADV and/or Department of Public Welfare. The CLR project Staff Attorney has internal contacts with the entire administrative staff and external contact with clients, community resources, and the community. This position has access to sensitive Congreso information and is expected to handle such information with integrity and professionalism.

This position has regular contact with members of the community and is expected to represent Congreso in a professional manner. The CLR project Staff Attorney will be considered part of the Latina Domestic Violence Program (LDVP) team, reporting directly to the Director of Women’s Wellness and Health Promotion, and will participate in program activities as scheduled.

About Congreso
Congreso is a multiservice nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen Latino communities through social, economic, education, and health services; leadership development and advocacy. Founded in Philadelphia in 1977, Congreso has grown into a national thought leader on nonprofit performance management with an expert focus on the Latino community. Congreso is anchored by its innovative Primary Client Model (PCM™), and provides direct services to residents of the Philadelphia region while providing consult to other nonprofits and government systems nationally.

Essential Program Functions
1. Provides holistic pro bono civil legal services to Latino and immigrant victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking as they relate to family law (i.e. custody, support) and limited immigration, Protection From Abuse, housing, and public benefits acquisition
2. Engages in professional systems advocacy through the courts, prosecution and local law enforcement, and appellate advocacy in order to improve the justice system’s response to victims of domestic violence
3. Establishes partnerships with local attorneys and engages in regular case supervision/mentorship
4. Co-facilitates community trainings with partner agencies that focus on family and immigration civil law
5. Implements referral and intake system at the onset of the CLR project that protects client confidentiality and respects attorney/client privilege
6. Monitors CLR project data and submits monthly reports to PCADV in collaboration with Director
7. Attends five annual Domestic Violence Attorney Network meetings in Harrisburg
8. Engages in ongoing legal consultation with contracted partners to address client needs
9. Supervise administrative staff and interns assigned to support the CLR project

Minimum Experience:
 Passed the Pennsylvania Bar Exam.
 Familiar with Philadelphia family and dependency court proceedings.
 Understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
 Familiar with, and sensitive to, the issues affecting the Philadelphia Latino Community.
 Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Minimum Education:
 J.D. required as the education requirement; and for Certificates: Board certification that they passed in the Bar in the state of PA Certification/License:
 Admission into Pennsylvania board required.
 Admission to practice in Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania preferred.

A Career with Congreso: Your talent and passion + our mission = outcomes

Come grow our reputation. Employees come to Congreso because they hear the positive things our clients, employees, and supporters say about us. Congreso has served the neighborhoods of eastern North Philadelphia since 1977. We have built our reputation on trust and high-quality human service delivery. And now our expertise in client-centered, outcomes-informed service delivery is extending our reputation beyond local borders to regional and national renown.

Come serve the community. Employees come to Congreso because of their passion to work directly with members of a vibrant and diverse community towards greater self-sufficiency. We have grassroots in Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community and a commitment to strengthen all who live in the communities we serve. Our campus is located in the heart of the Eastern North Philadelphia neighborhoods we serve and includes a charter school that houses college courses at night.

Come celebrate culture. Employees come to Congreso because of the diversity of our employees, clients, and community we serve. We seek to serve all clients through practices that show inclusion, empathy and understanding regardless of cultural identities.

Come be part of our “familia.” Employees come to Congreso for a working culture that reflects our family-centered service approach and our commitment to balance work and family. Our “mi casa es su casa” welcome extends to employees and all who seek services from us. Our employees value the feeling of being “like family” and the close and supportive relationships they have with co-workers.

Come grow professionally. Employees come to Congreso to gain experience, learn new skills, and grow professionally. Our Primary Client Model™ provides employees with continuous education and professional development in client-centered, data-informed, and culturally appreciative service delivery. We recognize supervisors as leaders and an essential link between retention and service quality. All supervisors engage in regular professional development and organizational strategy conversations with Congreso’s President/CEO. Congreso has a reputation for leadership development, with many former employees now in leadership positions at the local, regional and national level.

To Apply
To apply for this position please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements here. For more information about Congreso and other career opportunities pleas go to http://www.congreso.net.

EEOC
Congreso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Congreso is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and all applicants for employment. All employment decisions at Congreso are made without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability or military/veteran status, or any other protected class as set forth under applicable State, Local and Federal Civil Rights Laws.