Summary
Description
Job Title: Civil Legal Representation (CLR) Staff Attorney
Immediate Supervisor: Executive Director (administrative oversight only)
Employment Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Annual Salary: $55,000 – 60,000
Team Placement: Civil Legal Representation Program
Work Location: On-Site
Effective Date: 4.7.26
Program Context
The CLR Program operates in collaboration with Your Safe Haven’s Domestic Violence (DV)/Sexual Assault (SA) services and follows PCADV CLR requirements and other funder standards. The CLR Staff Attorney is housed at YSH for accessibility and coordination while maintaining independent legal representation, separate legal files, and strict confidentiality boundaries consistent with the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct and PCADV standards.
Service access: Participation in advocacy services is not a condition of receiving legal representation.
This role supports YSH’s stabilization priorities: reliable service delivery, disciplined documentation, strong confidentiality guardrails, and clear professional boundaries in justice-system partnerships.
Position Summary
Provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered civil legal representation to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Bedford County, prioritizing matters that improve survivor safety, stability, and self-sufficiency while supporting continuous improvement in civil-system response. The CLR Staff Attorney may provide task direction to a part-time Legal Assistant, as assigned.
Core Responsibilities
Civil Legal Representation
Provide legal consultation and representation in matters including:
- Protection From Abuse (PFA)
- Custody/visitation, child/spousal support
- Divorce
- Housing/landlord–tenant
- Public benefits, consumer matters
- Other civil issues impacting safety and economic stability
Key functions:
- Legal research; draft pleadings, motions, proposed orders, and agreements
- Court/administrative representation
- Survivor-centered legal counseling and safety-informed legal planning
- Maintain accurate case records and separate legal files
Program Operations, Boundaries, and Reliability
- Maintain strong confidentiality controls and program separation (privilege, file security, role-based access)
- Follow established intake, referral, file handling, and data-entry protocols
- Maintain clear calendaring, deadlines, and documentation to support consistent service delivery and audit-ready records
- Use approved communication methods; avoid informal channels that compromise confidentiality or supervision
- Provide task direction to the part-time Legal Assistant consistent with program separation requirements
Collaboration & Systems Work
- Coordinate with YSH advocates for warm handoffs and complementary services, with survivor consent and clear ethical boundaries
- Participate in STOP MDT and other systems collaborations as appropriate, sharing information only as permitted by law and ethics
- Support mission integrity in court/partner settings by maintaining the distinction between independent legal representation and system-driven expectations
- Identify recurring barriers and elevate them to supervisory attorneys/PCADV as appropriate
- Engage in systems advocacy by working with courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and community stakeholders to improve systemic responses to survivors.
- Develop and maintain partnerships with local attorneys, bar associations, legal services organizations, and law schools to expand a network of pro bono attorneys willing to accept referrals when conflicts or capacity issues arise.
Grant Compliance & Reporting
- Participate in PCADV/funder monitoring and compliance activities
- Submit required data through PCADV reporting systems using de-identified/aggregate data as required
- Prepare required reports/documentation for PCADV, PCCD, and other funders
Other Duties
- This job description is not designed to cover all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties may change as organizational needs evolve.
Work Schedule
Primarily Monday–Friday during standard business hours aligned with court operations. Occasional flexibility may be needed for court deadlines or urgent client safety needs, with advance notice whenever possible.
Training & Professional Development
- Complete required victim advocacy training consistent with organizational and funder standards.
- Complete continuing legal education (CLE) requirements for Pennsylvania licensure.
- Pursue at least 10 hours annually of training related to trauma-informed legal practice, cultural competence, or other relevant legal topics.
- Remain current on funder requirements and compliance updates.
Qualifications
Required
- Licensed attorney admitted to practice in Pennsylvania
- Knowledge of civil legal issues affecting DV/SA survivors
- Commitment to trauma-informed, survivor-centered practice
- Ability to work within a community-based victim services organization while maintaining professional independence and confidentiality boundaries
- Strong documentation and file management skills
- Reliable transportation and valid Pa driver’s license
- Act 33/34 Child Abuse Clearances
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History
- FBI Clearance
Preferred / Desirable
- Familiarity with immigration relief options impacting survivors (e.g., VAWA, U visas) and/or ability to make informed referrals (e.g., PIRC) and consult PCADV resources as needed
- Experience in systems advocacy or legal policy work
Ethical Expectations
- Adhere to the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct
- Maintain survivor confidentiality, privilege, and professional boundaries
- Comply with PCADV CLR standards and reporting requirements
- Support YSH’s mission while preserving the independence of legal representation
- Uphold Your Safe Haven’s Code of Conduct (confidentiality, professionalism, boundaries, accountability)
Work Environment
This position includes primarily office-based work with occasional evening hours for meetings or organizational priorities.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Your Safe Haven, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive services.
