Job Description
Status: Full-time
Location: Portland, OR (Hybrid*)
Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC) is hiring a Senior Attorney to work with our Oregon legal team to represent survivors of sexual assault.
VRLC is a nonprofit law center that provides free legal representation to victims of rape and sexual assault in Oregon and Massachusetts. VRLC also provides national training and support for lawyers, advocates, and other victim services provides on the civil legal needs of rape and sexual assault victims. The VRLC’s mission is to provide legal representation to survivors of sexual violence to help rebuild their lives; and to promote a national movement committed to seeking justice for every rape and sexual assault victim.
All applicants must support VRLC’s mission and philosophy regarding our commitment to improving the response to sexual violence, empowerment, and inclusiveness. This position will be filled by a candidate with a strong work ethic, a passion for mission-driven work, and a commitment to addressing the needs of marginalized communities. VRLC deeply values diverse voices and perspectives on our team. People of color, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. VRLC will gladly assist applicants in need of accommodation. Please contact humanresources@victimrights.org if you need any accommodations during the application process.
Responsibilities:
- Provide sexual assault survivors with legal consultations, representation, and referrals in one or more of the following areas: employment, immigration, financial stability, housing, privacy, civil protective orders, safety, and criminal justice system advocacy
- Conduct intakes, initial consultations, and client meetings with sexual assault survivors remotely, at VRLC’s Portland office, and off-site in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties, as needed
- Collaborate with leadership to make strategic decisions around direct services, outreach, trainings, and program staffing
- Work collaboratively with lawyers and paralegals
- Mentor staff attorneys and paralegals including case support and professional development
- Lead grant-funded work by tracking client services data, drafting grant report narratives, and fulfilling specific grant deliverables
- Participate and provide guidance in case assessment meetings
- Train, mentor, and support pro bono attorneys representing VRLC clients
- Conduct strategic outreach to community partners and foster strong relationships with other organizations working in the field of gender-based violence
- Train other community partners on legal issues that impact sexual assault survivors
Required Qualifications:
- Member of Oregon State Bar in good standing
- Minimum 6 years of applicable litigation experience
- Experience and/or demonstrated commitment to working with trauma survivors and/or underserved communities (e.g., LGBTQIA2S+, communities of color, people with disabilities, youth)
- Satisfactory background check after receiving conditional offer of employment
- Valid driver’s license and comfortable driving in the Portland tri-county area, if required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with contested protective order hearings (or other litigation)
- Experience with employment, housing, and/or public benefits law
- Fluency in a non-English language widely used in the Tri-County Region
*Hybrid Work: VRLC has a Hybrid Work Policy. “Hybrid Work” is a flexible workplace model that is supportive and inclusive of employees fulfilling their job responsibilities in-office, remotely, or at another location (partner agency) for all or part of their regularly scheduled work hours. Employees have a choice in selecting a working environment that helps them be most productive while meeting the needs of the VRLC and prioritizing both a survivor-centered approach to work and survivor privacy. For this role, the candidate must be available to attend meetings and hearings in Multnomah, Clackamas or Washington County, as needed.