Managing Attorney

Mission Statement: The mission of Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response® (STAR®) is to support survivors of sexual trauma, improve systems response, and create social change to end sexual violence.

Position Summary: The Managing Attorney oversees the legal program across all STAR branches. The primary duties of this position include supervising staff attorneys, legal services coordinator, and legal externs; providing legal services and representation to survivors.

Classification: 40 hours/week (Full-time/Exempt)

Location: Baton Rouge or New Orleans

Hours: Typical office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30a - 5p.

Reports to: Director of Survivor Services

Supervises: Staff Attorneys, Legal Services Coordinator, Legal Externs

Salary: $78,000. To ensure fairness and consistency for all team members, we do not negotiate salaries; our compensation packages are benchmarked against market rates and are determined by a clear compensation structure.

Position Duties

The Managing Attorney oversees the legal program across all STAR branches. The primary duties of this position are to:

1. Program Oversight & Leadership
   1. Support the implementation and evaluation of STAR's Legal Program across all branches, ensuring consistent and effective service delivery within the program.
   2. Maintain and update Legal Program procedures and protocols in alignment with STAR's standards and best practices, with guidance from leadership.
   3. Identify gaps or barriers in the delivery of Legal services and work collaboratively with the team and leadership to recommend and implement improvements.
   4. Represent the Legal Program in internal meetings and provide input to inform organizational planning and decision-making.
   5. Collaborate with other program managers and directors to support integrated, trauma-informed services and cross-program coordination.
   6. Take initiative in addressing challenges that impact Legal Program operations, survivor services, team dynamics, and propose practical solutions within the scope of the program.
   7. Communicate and implement agency decisions within the Legal team in a clear, consistent, and professional manner to support alignment across departments.
2. Staff Supervision & Development:
   1. Supervise and support Staff Attorneys, Legal Services Coordinator, and Legal Externs, including participation in hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing professional development.
   2. Facilitate Legal team meetings and monthly one-on-one supervision with direct reports to provide guidance, support, and performance feedback.
   3. Monitor and verify that staff and externs are consistently fulfilling their job duties, providing timely and effective services, and adhering to STAR's performance and documentation standards.
   4. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with direct reports to ensure clarity in roles, accountability, and supervisory integrity.
3. Legal Services
   1. Maintain a caseload of 10 - 15 clients
   2. Provide comprehensive legal representation to every client
   3. Ensure consistency between legal services being offered to clients across branches
   4. Ensure all staff are aware of the available services provided by the legal department
4. Documentation & File Management
   1. Document and note all survivor interactions and upload all documents to the organization's centralized database in a timely manner
   2. Ensure that survivor files are complete, well-organized, and up-to-date.
5. Grant Compliance
   1. Ensure completion of grant deliverables within required timelines.
   2. Assist with preparation of grant reports and documentation required by funders.
6. Other Responsibilities
   1. Clock in and out using the organization's timekeeping system
   2. Submit monthly mileage and reimbursement documentation.
   3. Attend staff meetings and maintain continuing education requirements.
   4. Submit mandated reports to DCFS and law enforcement, as required by Louisiana law.
   5. Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned.