Volunteer Opportunity with Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC)

HAWC, one of the oldest and most comprehensive domestic violence agencies on the North Shore, has a volunteer opportunity to work with its two staff attorneys and learn about legal advocacy in the domestic violence context. Below is the volunteer description and contact information:

EMPLOYER NAME & ADDRESS: HAWC | Healing Abuse Working For Change 27 Congress St., Ste. 201 Salem, MA 01970 (http://www.hawcdv.org/)

EMPLOYER CONTACT & TITLE: Jennifer Hatch, Family Law Staff Attorney

EMAIL ADDRESS: jenniferh@hawcdv.org

PHONE NUMBER: 978-744-2299 ext. 20

FAX NUMBER: 978-745-6886

NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 2

EMPLOYER INFO & PRIMARY AREA OF PRACTICE: HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change, formerly known as Help for Abused Women and their Children) is the oldest agency to provide comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence on the Massachusetts' North Shore. It's services include a 24 hour hotline; domestic violence shelter; support groups; therapeutic counseling for children and parents experiencing domestic abuse; immigration, family law, & restraining order advocacy; community education; etc. Moreover, HAWC has satellite offices in Gloucester, Lynn and Beverly, and on-site advocates in the district and probate courts, as well as Salem Hospital and Union Hospital.

JOB DESCRIPTION & ANTICIPATED STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Students will assist HAWC's Family Law Staff Attorney on divorce, custody, visitation, etc. cases in the Family & Probate Court, as well as assist the Immigration Law Staff Attorney on preparing UVisa and VAWA Petitions. The students' responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to assisting in drafting court documents, meeting with clients, conducting legal research, and appearing in court on restraining orders or other matters. Students will gain insight into how the law and legal system can be used to both protect victims of domestic abuse and place them in physical danger. They will learn how to articulate the client's experience of abuse for the court through affidavits, witness testimony, or other evidence. Students will also learn how to develop an attorney/client relationship with someone who has or is experiencing trauma from domestic abuse.

This would be an unpaid internship. Downtown Salem is accessible by commuter train from Boston. It is preferable that students be 3:03 certified by the time they start the internship.