Application Guide
How to Apply for Staff Attorney
at Respect Together
🏢 About Respect Together
Respect Together uniquely combines national impact through its National Sexual Violence Resource Center with deep Pennsylvania community engagement through the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect. This dual approach allows staff to work on both broad systemic change and direct local support, making it an ideal workplace for attorneys who want to see both immediate client impact and long-term prevention work. The organization's trauma-informed philosophy permeates all operations, creating a supportive environment for both clients and staff.
About This Role
As a Staff Attorney at Respect Together, you'll provide comprehensive legal representation to sexual violence survivors across multiple practice areas including Title IX, protection orders, and employment discrimination. This role goes beyond traditional legal work by integrating trauma-informed principles into every client interaction and collaborating with rape crisis centers across Pennsylvania to address systemic barriers. Your work directly supports survivors while contributing to the organization's mission of preventing future violence through legal advocacy.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might begin with reviewing protection order requests from survivors in crisis, followed by preparing for an upcoming Title IX hearing at a Pennsylvania university. Afternoon hours could involve collaborating with a rape crisis center advocate on a client's housing discrimination case, then drafting legal resources for the national resource center's website. The day would balance direct client representation with systemic work, all while maintaining trauma-informed communication practices.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Respect Together Is Looking For
- A Pennsylvania-licensed attorney with 3+ years of hands-on courtroom experience, particularly in areas like family law, civil rights, or victim advocacy where trauma-informed approaches are essential
- Someone who demonstrates specific understanding of how cultural and socioeconomic factors impact survivors' access to justice and legal outcomes
- A practitioner who can articulate concrete examples of providing trauma-informed legal representation that prioritizes client safety and autonomy
- A collaborative professional with experience working alongside non-legal service providers like rape crisis centers or social service agencies
📝 Tips for Applying to Respect Together
Quantify your courtroom experience in your resume - specify number of trials, hearings, or motions argued rather than just stating 'courtroom experience'
Explicitly connect your past work to trauma-informed principles, even if not in sexual violence specifically (e.g., 'implemented client-centered approaches in family law cases')
Research and reference Respect Together's specific Pennsylvania initiatives, such as their work with the 50+ rape crisis centers across the state
Highlight any experience with the specific case types mentioned: Title IX proceedings, protection orders, or employment discrimination cases
Demonstrate understanding of both the national resource center work and Pennsylvania-specific advocacy in your application materials
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience with trauma-informed legal practice and how you've implemented it in previous roles", 'Examples of collaborating with non-legal partners (social workers, advocates, community organizations) on client cases', "Your understanding of Pennsylvania's legal landscape for sexual violence survivors and how you've navigated similar systems", "Why Respect Together's dual focus on national resources and Pennsylvania community work aligns with your career goals"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → The specific services and resources offered through the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) division
- → Respect Together's current Pennsylvania initiatives and partnerships with rape crisis centers across the state
- → Pennsylvania-specific laws and procedures related to protection orders, Title IX in educational settings, and employment discrimination
- → The organization's public positions or advocacy work on recent sexual violence legislation or policy issues
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on litigation skills without demonstrating understanding of trauma-informed principles or client-centered approaches
- Treating this as just another attorney position rather than showing specific passion for sexual violence prevention and survivor advocacy
- Failing to acknowledge the Pennsylvania-specific aspects of the role despite the remote work arrangement
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Respect Together!