The Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (“MCEDSV”) is Michigan's catalyst for creating empowered and transformed individuals, communities, and societies committed to building a lasting legacy of equality, peace and social justice, where domestic and sexual violence no longer exist.
MCEDSV is pleased to announce that it seeks to hire a dynamic attorney who is committed to supporting survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault. This position seeks to improve the availability of legal services for survivors of human trafficking throughout Michigan. The attorney will work within MCEDSV’s Survivor Law Clinic to provide trafficking survivors with access to wrap-around services and comprehensive legal representation in a variety of areas including: personal protection orders, consumer law, credit restoration, public benefits, crime victim compensation, education advocacy, housing advocacy, immigration law and advocacy, family law, identify protection, expungement, and privacy. The attorney may work on complex civil cases for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and with Indigenous survivors. The attorney will work as part of a team with the supervising attorney, trauma advocate, law students and the Executive Director. MCEDSV offers an extraordinary work environment that seeks to honor and support the whole person. The focus of this project is not on the volume of cases, but the strategic impact of the case that the clinic is involved in—including appellate and amicus curiae. This is a ground-breaking project and attorneys who are interested in new and complex litigation are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must possess a law degree from an accredited institution and be licensed in Michigan. Preferred candidates will have at least three years’ experience working with marginalized and victimized populations in the context of providing civil legal or social services, or in the context of serving in prosecution or indigent defense. In-state and limited national travel is required; attorneys must possess a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
The staff attorney will work from the existing MCEDSV office in Okemos, Michigan. Cases accepted as part of this project may be located anywhere in the state. All transportation costs will be covered for work-related travel.
Among other duties as assigned, the Staff Attorneys in this project will:
- Have a passion and understanding of the unique needs of women and marginalized populations within the civil and criminal justice system as they navigate the aftermath of trafficking;
- Understand the complex legal systems that survivors come in contact with and be willing to engage in advocacy at any and all points;
- Interview survivors in a manner sensitive to the trauma they may have experienced and attuned to honoring their choices;
- Be willing to engage in thorough research and brief writing;
- Be willing to adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards;
- Be willing to engage with police and prosecutors to advocate for victims;
- Provide legal services including legal research and factual investigation, counsel and advice, brief services and document preparation, and representation of clients in administrative and judicial proceedings;
- Provide accurate and complete information for grant reporting to grant funders including documenting services in the case record;
- Attend trainings required by the grant and by MCEDSV;
- Actively participate in staff committees or task forces focused on services for trafficking survivors;
- Develop and maintain networking relationships with local bar associations and with local, state, and federal governments and community agencies that serve our client population, including those serving persons with disabilities, older adults, and other special needs; and
- Exhibit a high level of personal energy, organization, and commitment to the position and the MCEDSV mission.
Salary and Reporting Requirements: Salary is $60,000 DOE. MCEDSV offers a generous benefits package. If applicant does not require MCEDSV fringe benefits, they have the option to take a $2,000 payout in addition to the base salary. MCEDSV also has a generous sick, leave and holiday policy as well as a yearly 3% contribution to a retirement plan made regardless of whether the employee contributes. MCEDSV is committed to professional development-these are ideal positions for attorneys who want to work in complex litigation with extensive supports. Position reports to the Director of Law and Policy.
MCEDSV seeks and supports a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural work place for the benefit of our organization, our work, and our movement to end gender-based violence. We strongly encourage applicants from racially or ethnically diverse communities, LGBT communities and individuals with disabilities to apply.
MCEDSV has a mandatory vaccination policy in place in addition to mandatory wellness checks prior to entering the building, mask wearing, social distancing and a COVID-19 cleaning protocol.
Interested applicants should send resume, cover letter and writing sample to sarah.proutrennie@mcedsv.org