POSITION OVERVIEW

The Staff Attorney will:

• Be a part of the L.U.N.A. legal team that establishes policies and procedures to create a new legal program for survivors.
• Provide linguistically and culturally responsive legal services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including but not limited to civil protective orders, divorce, and child custody.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of program implementation and delivery.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Promote meaningful access to justice by reducing linguistic, cultural, and systemic barriers faced by survivors.
• Work jointly with the L.U.N.A. legal team to establish policies and procedures for its legal services program.
• Work collaboratively with L.U.N.A. advocates and Legal Services Program Coordinator to provide survivor-centered, trauma-informed legal assistance and representation to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence in civil protective orders and family law cases.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case files and other required reports and documentation required by grant funders.
• Utilize L.U.N.A.'s legal database and timekeeping systems and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and reporting needs.
• Educate and empower victims and survivors to exercise their legal rights.
• Ensure all activities align with the compliance and reporting standards of applicable L.U.N.A. funders, provided these are consistent with VAWA and attorney ethical and professional responsibilities.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with a statewide network of attorneys working with victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Other Activities

• Participate in individual supervision meetings, training sessions, national and state conferences, and webinars as required by funder.
• Willingness and ability to travel within L.U.N.A.’s primary service area and, on occasion, to other locations in Iowa as needed to provide legal services, attend court proceedings, meet with clients, and support other case-related activities.
• Complete and maintain domestic violence and sexual assault certification from the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) within one year of hiring.
• Other duties and projects as determined by L.U.N.A.'s Executive Director.

• SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  Experience comes in many forms. We welcome people from all walks of life, lived experiences, and backgrounds.

  Required

  • Iowa State Bar Association membership in good standing, the ability to acquire admission by motion, or registration for and passage of the next Iowa bar exam.
  • Willingness and ability to travel throughout L.U.N.A.'s service area and, on occasion, to other locations in Iowa as needed.

  Preferred

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills including the ability to multi-task, prioritize workload, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.
  • Ability to engage and work collaboratively with diverse partners and client communities.
  • Fluent in Spanish with excellent written & verbal communication skills.
  • Lived experience and/or experience working with the Latino community.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide culturally responsive services to underserved communities.
  • Experience representing clients in family law.
  • Experience in legal aid, civil litigation, family law, victim services, or a related area of practice preferred. New attorneys are encouraged to apply and will receive dedicated mentorship and support.

  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  All applicants must undergo criminal background, fingerprint check, Sex Abuse Registry check and driving record check to be eligible for hiring.

About Latinas Unidas Por Un Nuevo Amanecer (L.U.N.A.)

Latinas Unidas por un Nuevo Amanecer (L.U.N.A.) is a culturally specific nonprofit organization that provides services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking across Iowa. Founded by Latina survivors in 1999, L.U.N.A. was created to address the lack of culturally responsive services available to the community. The organization provides advocacy, crisis intervention, support groups, emergency financial assistance, legal services, referrals, and a 24-hour crisis hotline. L.U.N.A. also conducts community outreach and education to increase awareness and access to resources.

Connections working at Latinas Unidas Por Un Nuevo Amanecer (L.U.N.A.)