Organization Overview:
Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program, with thirteen offices providing civil legal assistance to low-income Coloradans throughout the state. CLS provides free legal assistance in a broad variety of legal areas, including family law, public benefits, eviction defense, consumer protection, services to survivors of serious crime and human trafficking, and many others.
CLS has strengthened lives, assisted families, and supported communities–one person at a time for over 90 years. We are committed to providing high-quality, free legal advice and representation to eligible individuals throughout Colorado. We have a long history of successful impact and advocacy. CLS strives to bring about substantive, transformational change in the lives of those we serve.
Position Summary:
Working under the supervision of the Managing Attorney the Domestic Violence Prevention Attorney shall take a holistic approach and provide advice, brief services, and/or full representation to clients who have experienced or may become subject to domestic violence, most often in domestic relations matters.
The Domestic Violence Prevention Attorney shall become proficient in obtaining and defending Civil Protection Orders to ensure that victims’ rights and safety are preserved. The attorney shall also become proficient in domestic relations matters (including but not limited to Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), dissolution of marriage and allocation of parental responsibilities).
The attorney, along with coworkers, shall also conduct education and outreach and build and maintain relationships with community partners and organizations.
The attorney shall also work closely with the domestic violence paralegal, Client Support Services social worker and the Language Access provider in the provision of an interdisciplinary holistic approach to services.
Essential Duties:
Assume an active caseload of domestic relations cases, including civil protection orders, dissolution of marriage actions, and allocation of parental responsibilities actions.
Represent clients in court and before administrative agencies and collaborate with other CLS attorneys and paralegals, as needed.
Provide legal advice and high-quality representation in accordance with program priorities and CLS Casehandler Standards.
Demonstrate trauma informed care, patience, empathy, sound judgment and common sense in all client communications.
Conduct client and witness interviews, engage in thorough case investigation, and prepare legal documents, pleadings, and discovery.
Ensure comprehensive and current documentation of client case notes.
Maintain thorough and up-to-date records (including timekeeping) in case management systems;
Consult and co-counsel with other CLS attorneys and paralegals, when appropriate.
Effectively and zealously litigate on behalf of clients, negotiate in good faith, and ethically and diligently work on the client’s behalf, while effectively managing client expectations.
Develop relationships with client-eligible communities and local partner agencies, including providers of services to seniors and survivors of domestic violence.
Make presentations to court personnel, community members and organizations.
Attend program meetings, as assigned.
Together with domestic violence advocates and CLS staff, develop strategies for providing appropriate training of domestic violence providers and attorneys.
Required Qualifications:
Valid license to practice law in the state of Colorado or ability to obtain a Colorado license as soon as practicable.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Detail-oriented with strong critical thinking, analytical, and time management skills.
Must be collegial and be a team player.
Preferred Qualifications:
Spanish speaking is a plus.
Ability to reprioritize as needs shift.
Demonstrating understanding and compassion towards the societal challenges and financial struggles faced by individuals who are economically disadvantaged and/or elderly is crucial.
Must be dedicated to principles of Diversity Equity and Inclusion; be sensitive to the unique challenges faced by the elderly, developmentally disabled; and those with physical and mental challenges; be especially cognizant of the impact of trauma upon clients and the application and use of trauma informed care.