Legal Fellow

JOB TITLE: Legal Fellow

REPORTS TO: Project Attorney and Executive Director

DIRECT REPORTS: N/A

DEPARTMENT: Legal

Exempt/Non-exempt: Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $55,000 annually

Organizational Description

Bridge to Justice (B2J) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm established in 2013. As an impact-oriented social enterprise, our mission is to bridge the gap between legal needs and legal access with affordable, high quality legal services. We provide free and discounted legal services to low- and moderate-income Coloradans in the following areas: Family law; civil protection orders; Emergency Risk Protection Orders (“ERPOs”); eviction defense; and healthcare and food assistance legal advocacy.

B2J services promote financial stability, self-sufficiency, and the physical safety of our clients and their children. Our focus on post-decree family law services is especially significant given the lack of free legal aid in these cases. We are supported by a sustainable fee-for-service business model supplemented by various governmental and foundation grants and private donations. We receive financial support from, and have been recognized by, the Boulder legal and nonprofit communities for providing civil legal services to a historically underserved segment of the population.

Position and Program Overview

Bridge to Justice is excited to announce the creation of the Justice for Domestic Violence Survivors Program. Under this program, we will be hiring two (2) Legal Fellows to learn how to become exemplary advocates for survivors of violence in family law and civil protection order cases. Fellows will participate in an intensive shadowing, training, and mentoring program to learn and implement best practices for representing survivors in a trauma-informed manner. Fellows will have an opportunity to advise and represent clients in a wide range of pre- and post-decree family law cases involving domestic violence.

Public interest lawyers may not consider family law a priority, however unjust outcomes in a family law case can risk homelessness, deny children access to healthcare, impact a client’s ability to participate in the workforce, and reinforce or perpetuate abuse. “Winning” or “losing” a case can be the difference between keeping a child safe and that child experiencing physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse by a dangerous parent.

The stakes in family law cases are extremely high. Yet our team of experienced family law attorneys has observed that the family court system is often ill-equipped to address issues relating to domestic violence and child abuse. For example, in 2020 a study funded by the United States Department of Justice found: “a mother’s claims of abuse, especially child physical or sexual abuse, increase their risk of losing custody.” Antiquated beliefs about victim behavior and, sometimes, outright bias prevent survivors of violence from obtaining just outcomes in their family law cases.

The purpose of this program is to help identify and debunk the myths that persist in the family court system – and that often prevent survivors of domestic violence from accessing justice – through direct legal advocacy in post-decree and complex DV litigation.

This is a grant-funded position funded by the Colorado Department of Law. Fellowship positions will be for a two-year term beginning on January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025.

This is a full-time, salaried position with health benefits and paid vacation. The position is primarily virtual. However, occasional in-person work and attendance in court are required. Our office is located in downtown Boulder, walking distance from historic Pearl Street and the Boulder Justice Center.

Benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, 401(k) match, CLE reimbursement, eligibility for loan forgiveness (PSLF) and loan repayment assistance (LRAP) programs, and the opportunity to work for an impactful and pioneering public interest organization.

Primary Duties:

· Provide direct representation of survivors of domestic violence in domestic relations proceedings, including pre- and post-decree divorce and allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody) matters and civil protection order hearings;

· Develop relationships and collaborate with agency partners, including funders, referral sources, and other organizational allies;

· Participate in case review and team meetings and performance evaluations.

· Participate in training and reporting required under the grant.

Candidate Requirements:

All candidates must demonstrate a sincere interest and passion for B2J’s vision, mission and organizational values. Please review our website at www.bridge2justice.orgfor more information about B2J’s history, mission and program initiatives prior to submitting an application. Other requirements include:

· J.D. from an accredited law school;

· Licensed and in good standing to practice law in Colorado;

· Ability to meet the demands of being a lawyer while also actively prioritizing self-care;

· Must be comfortable litigating and discussing all forms of domestic violence (including child sex abuse, child abuse, physical intimate partner violence, sexual assault, harassment, and stalking);

· Exceptional written communication skills conveying content, analysis, grammar, and persuasion for motions, pleadings, and legal briefs;

· Exceptional oral communication skills, as demonstrated by experience in trial litigation, mediation, negotiation, depositions, public speaking, or other presentations;

· Must be comfortable with a fast-paced professional environment in which team work and communication are essential;

· Acceptance of stressful periods of work during busy times, such as trial preparation;

· Strong work ethic and availability to work occasional nights and weekends, as needed;

· Creative critical thinker poised for future leadership in the access to justice movement;

· Valid driver’s license, dependable vehicle, and valid insurance;

· Demonstrated competence in working with diverse and low- and moderate-income clients; and

· Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required.

Travel Requirements:

Work requires some in-state travel for court hearings in the Boulder/Denver metro area, optional in-state travel to locations outside the Boulder/Denver metro area, and occasional mandatory in-person meetings at office in Boulder.

Application Procedures:

Please submit the following documents via email as four separate attachments to Bruce Wiener, Executive Director, at bruce@bridge2justice.org:

1. Cover Letter (1-2 pages) describing interest in and experience for the position;

2. Resume or curriculum vitae;

3. Writing Sample (no more than 10 pages); and

4. Professional References (2-3 references)

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by December 1, 2023. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary, Internship

Pay: $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Boulder, CO 80302