Contract Attorney (As needed)

The Contract Attorney will support Family Violence Program of St Bernard’s efforts to ensure that survivors of domestic violence know their rights under local, state, and federal law. They will use a variety of legal strategies to advance the rights of survivors, including providing individual legal advice and representation.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with Court Advocate and Executive Director to determine r representation.
• Provide legal advice to survivors.
• Provide representation for civil legal matters: protection orders, divorce, custody, etc.
• Complete retainer/necessary paperwork with survivors being represented.
• Draft and file written petitions on behalf of survivors represented.
• Prepare evidence and arguments for presentation at court hearings.
• Communicate with survivors regarding their ongoing cases.
• After obtaining proper releases, communicate with: law enforcement, hospitals, and others to assist in obtaining evidence relevant to their case.
• Attend court hearings on behalf of survivors represented.
• Safety plan with survivors for all court filings and appearances.
• Advocate for survivors, as needed.
• Completing/maintaining accurate service documentation/required forms.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adheres to all policies and procedures, DCFS Standards, funder requirements, federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Attend meetings as required. Participate in Coordinated Community Response efforts.
• Completion of required DCFS Standards training and Louisiana state attorney licensure requirements.
• Perform other duties as requested.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Communication: Superior interpersonal skills; Empathy towards survivors of domestic violence; Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Ability to communicate with and relate to people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Professionalism: Treats others with respect; Accepts feedback without defensiveness; Complete complex and detailed tasks in a timely manner; Up to date understanding of the key legal issues relevant to domestic violence representation.
• Good Judgment: Ability to assess situations and take appropriate action; Ability to weigh the potential benefits and consequences of actions; Consistently makes decisions in keeping with organizational values, supervisor’s direction, and common sense; Survivor safety is always the most important consideration in any decision made; Ability to plan and prioritize duties.
• Problem Solving: Ability to stay calm in crisis situations; Ability to handle common problems without supervisor intervention while knowing when supervisor participation is warranted.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of education, training and experience that would verify applicant has the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the functions of the job. Education, training, and experience must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Licensed to practice law by the Louisiana State Bar Association
• Eligible to practice law as defined by the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board.
• Experience working with, or personal experience with, domestic violence.

PLEASE RESPOND BY NOVEMBER 15, 2025. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: Up to $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person