Staff Attorney, Victim Advocacy Program

Who is Disability Rights Wisconsin?

Disability Rights Wisconsin is the state’s Protection and Advocacy system, charged with protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and keeping them free from abuse and neglect. Employing a variety of means, our advocates and attorneys use individual casework and systems advocacy to achieve positive changes in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. We are seeking employees who value this work. In turn, we treat our employees well, offering a supportive environment, talented colleagues, excellent benefits, and generous leave.

Disability Rights Wisconsin arose out of a disability civil rights movement demanding that the abuse of people with disabilities end and that people with disabilities be included in life, school, workplaces, and communities. Our core values include Diversity, Dignity, Independence, Accessibility, Inclusion, Human Rights, and Liberation.

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Our programs include:

• Protection & Advocacy for people with disabilities (addressing abuse/neglect, discrimination, access to services, education rights, institutional monitoring, and systemic reform).
• Disability Benefits Specialist (helping people access Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance).
• Family Care & IRIS Ombudsman (supporting people to remain in community-based settings).
• Victim Advocacy (advocacy and representation for crime victims
  with disabilities).

About the role

The Victim Advocacy Program of Disability Rights Wisconsin works to ensure that survivors with disabilities receive the advocacy, legal representation, services, and support they desire to move forward, find justice, and obtain safety and stability in whatever form the survivor needs. A main goal of VAP is to promote
self-determination for survivors with disabilities.

The Staff Attorney for the Victim Advocacy Program will: provide direct, comprehensive representation to victim/survivors of crime with disabilities in relevant areas, including family law, guardianship, restraining orders, and victims’ rights; provide advice and counsel to clients, guardians, and family members; and participate in litigation, systems change initiatives, and outreach and training opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

1.   Legal: 80%

• Provide effective legal representation to survivors with disabilities in hearings, administrative appeals, and court proceedings on relevant issues such as Injunctions, family law, and victims’ rights issues.
• Provide information and referral on cases that are not eligible for
  direct representation.
• Adhere to good legal practice.
• Demonstrate ability to assess specific issues, identify relevant facts, conduct research, and provide advice to Advocacy Specialists regarding development of VAP cases.

·      Develop content area expertise in disability and victimization.

2.    VAP Program Responsibilities: 10%

• Prepare in a timely fashion all reports associated with VAP and DRW.
• Follow DRW policies, including but not limited to client communications, maintenance and retention records, and opening and closing cases.
• Participate in meetings, committees, work groups, hiring, and more in furtherance of DRW or VAP program goals.
• Develop and maintain resource files on topics including legal rights of individuals, grievance procedures, and other advocacy resources and disability related organizations.
• Other duties may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the VAP.

3.    Outreach: 10%

• Participate in outreach strategies and events.

Qualifications

Minimum Required:

• 0-10 years of experience in the practice of law. Law degree and licensed to practice law in Wisconsin, or the ability to become licensed within six months;
• Experience/direct contact with victims/survivors of crime;
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills;
• Basic computer skills, including email, word processing, and use of
  the internet;
• Ability to travel statewide

Preferred:

• Experien