Description

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.

A diversity-based approach to disability rights recognizes the intersectional nature of oppression experienced by people with disabilities from marginalized and underserved communities. We work to specifically address disability-related injustices at the intersections of disability and race; disability and gender and gender identity; disability and gender-based violence; and more. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment at Disability Rights Wisconsin.

Full Time Equivalent: 1.0 FTE (40 Hours per week), Monday - Friday

Reports to: Director Legal and Advocacy Services

Rate: $74,000 - $85,000 annually  

Job Hours: Work to be completed during core office hours; 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location: DRW has offices in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay. This position can be assigned to any of these office locations, depending on the applicant’s residence. This position is not eligible for fully remote work. DRW has a hybrid work policy.

Application Instructions:

Please submit a resume and cover letter detailing your qualifications and experience as they relate to the minimum and preferred qualifications. For priority consideration, apply online at http://www.disabilityrightswi.org/careers/.

Application deadline:  Position will remain open until filled.

Preferred consideration will be given to applicants who apply between November 20th and January 15th. Initial interviews will take place in the last part of January 2026.

Alternate formats of this Position Announcement are available upon request. Materials may be submitted in alternate formats if necessary.

About the role

The Supervising Attorney for the Victim Advocacy Program will: provide direct, comprehensive representation to victims of crime with disabilities in relevant areas including family law and victim’s rights; supervise Advocacy Specialists and Staff Attorneys in the Victim Advocacy Program (VAP); provide advice and counsel to clients, guardians, and family members; supervise the day-to-day operations of the program; compile and submit performance reports to funders. This position requires statewide travel.

Key Responsibilities:

1.       Supervision: (50%)

• • Provide ongoing supervision to Advocacy Specialists and Staff Attorneys in VAP. Attend regular supervision meetings, review intakes and ongoing case work, written material, and training material.
  • Ensure that all attorney and non-attorney advocacy is done in compliance with Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules, including Rules of Professional Conduct.
  • Conduct regular Team meetings to review casework, address DRW administrative needs, and support Team building.
  • Assist in employee professional development, including coaching and assessing productivity.
  • Conduct annual evaluations of supervisees in consultation with the Managing Attorney.
  • Conduct case file reviews in consultation with the Managing Attorney.

2.      VAP Program Responsibilities: (30%)

• • Prepare in a timely fashion all grant reports, both statistical and programmatic, associated with VAP grants.
  • Work with the VAP, Managing Attorney, and Director of Legal and Advocacy Services to create Team priorities to meet grant and agency goals.
  • Follow DRW policies, including, but not limited to, client communications, record maintenance and retention, and opening and closing cases.
  • Participate in meetings, committees, work groups, hiring, and more in furtherance of DRW or VAP program goals.
    Assist in outreach events to promote the VAP.
  • Assist in the development and updating of the VAP portion of the DRW webpage.
  • Other duties as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the VAP.

 3.      Legal: (20%)

• • Effectively represent individual clients who are survivors of crime with disabilities in hearings, administrative appeals, and court proceedings on relevant issues such as Injunctions, family law, and victims’ rights issues, whose cases have been accepted pursuant to the DRW VAP case acceptance policies.
  • 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 and Staff Attorneys regarding development of VAP cases.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience working as an attorney;
• Law degree and licensed to practice law in Wisconsin, or the ability to become licensed within six months;
• Experience in supervising or assisting attorneys, law students, and/or non-attorney advocates;
• Litigation background in area(s) of law directly relevant to this project (family, immigration, restraining order, Title IX, and/or victim rights law);
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills;
• Basic computer skills, including email, word processing, and use of the internet;
• Statewide travel required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in providing advocacy and/or support to survivors of crime and/or people with disabilities or mental illness;
• Fluency or strong proficiency in American Sign Language, Hmong, or Spanish;