Employment Opportunities
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: South Middlesex Legal Services (SMLS)
South Middlesex Legal Services (SMLS) seeks an innovative and dynamic leader with passion and vision for meeting the legal needs of low-income people. The new Executive Director must be committed to civil legal aid and possess proven abilities to manage a diverse and talented staff, raise funds and promote the agency’s public image, evaluate and plan for organizational and community needs, and work effectively with leaders of other legal aid organizations in Massachusetts.
Program Description
Since 1976, South Middlesex Legal Services, from its office in Framingham, 20 miles west of Boston, has served the needs of low-income, disabled and elderly persons in 36 communities from Dedham to Marlborough. SMLS’s attorneys represent battered victims in contested family law cases, protect tenants from becoming homeless, advocate in schools for children with special needs, and help poor, elderly and disabled people obtain disability, welfare and medical benefits. SMLS offers a broad range of legal services including advice, negotiation, litigation, and education. It represents approximately 2,200 low-income and elderly clients each year. SMLS has a staff of 18 that includes 13 attorneys and assists clients in English, Spanish and Portugese. SMLS has a good working relationship with the private attorneys practicing in its service area. Its Private Bar Volunteer Program has a panel of approximately 250 private attorneys. It is part of a network of nationally known and respected legal aid programs. The largest single source of funding is from the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation. Massachusetts has developed a regional approach to legal services delivery to coordinate the work of the federal Legal Services Corporation program and those funded by MLAC, which distributes state and IOLTA funds. As a result, SMLS is not bound to any limitations on client representation imposed by the Legal Services Corporation and collaborates with regional partners. It is part of a strong state network of legal aid programs that is supported by expertise and training from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. SMLS also works collaboratively with human service providers and low income groups to provide civil legal services to people who face barriers to legal justice.
SMLS’s annual budget exceeds $1.2 million and comes from a variety of sources including grants, contracts, donations, and volunteer assistance. Working with the Board of Directors to maintain and increase funding is an essential responsibility of the Executive Director. Additional information is available at http://www.smlegal.org.
Requirements
Candidates must have a J.D. Degree, and be eligible for admission to practice in the Commonwealth. The person hired will be expected to seek admission to the Massachusetts bar promptly, if not already admitted. Candidates should also have 10 years of legal experience. Legal work in housing rights, elder law, rights of the disabled, or family law is desirable. In addition, SMLS seeks candidates who have: - Ability to provide innovative direction and leadership to achieve its mission, philosophy, and strategies.
- Proven ability to administer and manage a legal services, advocacy, public interest or human services organization.
- Experience working with people with low-incomes and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Commitment to promoting and supporting diversity.
- Strong track record in grant work, lobbying and/or other fundraising efforts.
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
- Commitment to ongoing strategic planning and needs assessment.
The successful candidate should possess excellent interpersonal skills, display an inclusive leadership style, be flexible to adapt to a changing environment, and maintain an atmosphere of trust and respect. The position is full-time with health and other employment benefits. Salary will be commensurate with experience.
To apply
SMLS is being assisted in this process by Andrew Steinberg, nonprofit management consultant. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to South Middlesex Legal Services, c/o Andrew Steinberg, 17 Hitching Post Rd., Amherst, MA 01002. Applicants should include a telephone number and e-mail address. Inquiries should be directed to Mr. Steinberg at 413-549-6826 or steinberg_a@msn.com.
Submission deadline
Applications should be received by June 6, 2008. Applications will be accepted andconsidered until the position is filled.
SMLS is a Fair Employment Practices/Equal Employment Opportunity/disability accessible employer committed to maintaining a diverse workplace. Qualified candidates from diverse personal, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply
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STAFF ATTORNEY: Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC)
Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) is a private non-profit child advocacy organization dedicated to being an independent and effective voice for children who face significant barriers to equal educational and life opportunities. MAC works to overcome these barriers by changing conditions for many children, while also helping one child at a time. For almost 40 years, MAC has responded to the needs of children who are vulnerable because of poverty, race, disability, or limited English.
Available Position: MAC is seeking a part-time or full-time staff attorney to represent parents in special education cases and to provide technical assistance to parents. Representation of parents may include attendance at Team meetings, mediation sessions and administrative hearings at the Bureau of Special Education Appeals, and court actions. The attorney will work as an integral part of MAC’s special education project team.
Qualifications: Bilingual candidates who speak Spanish or Haitian-Creole are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have knowledge of special education law. They should also have experience in administrative advocacy and litigation. Experience with autism preferred. Applicants should indicate whether they are available for full-time or part-time employment. They should mail or email a cover letter and resume to:
Massachusetts Advocates for Children
Attn: Tania Duarte
25 Kingston Street
Boston, MA 02111
tduarte@massadvocates.org
Salary is based on a scale commensurate with experience. MAC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Position is open until filled.
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DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT: National Consumer Law Center
The National Consumer Law Center is a nonprofit legal advocacy organization that fights for the rights of low-income consumers in financial crisis. NCLC challenges predatory and abusive transactions in the marketplace and seeks stronger legal protections for consumers. NCLC has an immediate opening (full-time/35 hr week) in its downtown Boston office for an energetic, organized, and detail-oriented team player to help with a broad range of fundraising activities.
Responsibilities
· Write, edit, and assemble funding proposals
· Assist with donor mailings, gift processing and gift acknowledgments
· Perform data entry and database management
· Assist with all aspects of large annual conference, including assembling conf. materials
· Maintain tracking systems and generate reports
· Research funding prospects and background information on consumer issues
· Provide general back-up to administrative assistants
· Assist publications department with book sales and order processing
· Tasks may vary based on emerging organizational needs; some travel required
Qualifications
· A bachelor’s degree
· Exceptional writing, oral communication, and interpersonal skills
· Highly-organized and detail oriented; excellent research skills
· Experience providing administrative support in an office setting
· Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects and manage tasks on deadline
· Proficiency in Microsoft Access, Word, and Excel; Experience with Pagemaker or other graphics program a plus.
· Proven self-starter who exhibits a strong sense of teamwork · Flexibility to handle multiple tasks calmly and efficiently
· An interest or experience in nonprofit development
Salary: $33,600 plus generous health, dental, and other fringe benefits, including three weeks vacation.
Applications: Please submit cover letter and resume by April 30, 2008. No phone calls, please.
Send Letter & Resume to:
Department DA
NATIONAL CONSUMER LAW CENTER
77 Summer St., 10th Fl.
Boston, MA 02110
Fax: (617) 542-8028
E-mail: consumerlaw@nclc.org Website: http://www.nclc.org
Women, persons of color, and disabled persons are encouraged to apply.AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
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EXTERNSHIP: Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts (LACCM)
The Legal Assistance Corp. of Central Mass. (“LACCM”) is the primary provider of free civil legal services to the poor and elderly of Worcester County. Its main office is at 405 Main Street in Worcester. It has satellite offices in Southbridge, Milford, Fitchburg, and Athol. LACCM attorneys and paralegals specialize in housing and homelessness work; welfare, disability, and employment rights issues; family law matters; immigration issues and problems faced by the elderly.
LACCM administers a program for homeless individuals and families called the Zarrow Project. The LACCM attorney in charge of the Project recruits volunteer lawyers in the private bar to visit homeless shelters and take cases for homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless. The LACCM attorney handles some cases from local homeless shelters. The student intern will have the opportunity to assist various LACCM advocates working on one or more of these projects.
The student intern may also assist the LACCM Zarrow attorney in visiting homeless shelters, interviewing clients, talking with the private bar about their cases, compiling written reports, and working on individual cases. The intern will also have the opportunity to help the advocates in one or more of LACCM’s substantive law units on their cases. This work may include interviewing clients, filing and picking up papers in court, and helping prepare cases for hearing.
LACCM is making a strong effort to outreach to diverse populations. We would especially welcome students who speak languages other than English who are interested in assisting our outreach efforts. Resumes to: Sarah Loy, Executive Assistant, Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts, 405 Main Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01608-1735 or email: sloy@laccm.org.
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PART-TIME PROJECT ASSISTANT: National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)
The National Consumer Law Center is a nonprofit public interest legal advocacy organization focusing on low-income consumer credit, utility, and energy issues.
Position Available: part-time Project Assistant for the Fair Mortgage Collaborative (FMC) project Position Description: The FMC Project Assistant will take part in building and maintaining systems for receiving mortgage lending data from a network of lenders committed to offering fair mortgage loan products.
Responsibilities: Primary duties include: working with software vendor to align FMC lending standards with database design; working with FMC members to receive electronic and paper data; visiting FMC member sites to conduct compliance reviews; designing and running database reports.
Qualifications: The primary qualification is strong computer skills, including experience setting up and maintaining databases. Also required is the ability to read and understand moderately complex mortgage loans documents (after on-the-job training, prior knowledge not required); strong attention to detail; willingness to work with project team on setting up new project; ability to sign statement committing to preserve borrower confidentiality. Priority will be given to candidates who additionally have familiarity with SQL-based databases, experience in any aspect of the mortgage lending industry, and/or interest in housing or consumer credit issues.
Wage and Benefits: $20/hour, 20 hours/week, full (pro-rated) benefits.
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2008 (but note that the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found).
Job Start and End Dates: The job start date will be in April 2008. This grant-funded position is term-limited. The employee will be asked to sign a contract through November 30, 2008 (contract renewal beyond that date will be dependent on renewed grant funding).
Send Letter & Resume to:
Department ML,
National Consumer Law Center
By e-mail: consumerlaw@nclc.org
By mail: 77 Summer Street, 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
By fax: (617) 542-8028
Women, persons of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
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PROJECT DIRECTOR CAMBODIAN OUTREACH PROJECT: Merrimack Valley Legal Services (MVLS)
Merrimack Valley Legal Services (MVLS) is seeking a full-time temporary project director for its Cambodian Outreach Project (COP). We expect this position to be for at least one year from date of hire. COP delivers civil legal services to Lowell’s low-income Cambodian population under the supervision of MVLS staff attorneys. We are looking for an attorney or non-attorney advocate who can serve as a “cultural broker” for MVLS staff and continue to enable MVLS to build a trusting relationship with the Cambodian community in Lowell.
The successful candidate will provide direct services, including community legal education, outreach, and project development within and for the Cambodian community in Lowell. S/he will set up community meetings, form liaisons with the various service providers and other groups that serve the community, plan and deliver outreach (including effective translation), and involve the entire legal services program in doing intake and/or casework.
Salary and generous benefits package commensurate with those MVLS provides to its staff, as outlined in its collective bargaining agreement.
Qualifications: Bilingual, bicultural candidates fluent in Khmer are encouraged to apply.Demonstrated ability to work with a multidisciplinary team.Experience in legal aid, human services or related community workBachelor's Degree preferred; work experience may substitute Working knowledge of Cambodian community preferred. Experience with program planning and implementation useful.Excellent organizational skills and ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Position open until filled. Send cover letter and resume to:
Ken MacIver, Executive Director
Merrimack Valley Legal Services
35 John Street, Suite 302
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (978) 458-1465
kmaciver@mvlegal.org Merrimack Valley-North Shore Legal Services is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, religion, race or disability. Candidates who are Bilingual Khmer speakers encouraged to apply.
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ATTORNEY: South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS)
South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (SCCLS), a non-profit law firm providing free legal assistance to low-income people in civil matters, seeks experienced energetic attorneys to join a community-based team of advocates to work on behalf of low-income residents in Southeastern Massachusetts by means of individual representation, community group representation, and impact advocacy. Increased funding offers opportunities for attorneys with housing, civil rights, immigration, domestic violence, and program management experience.
Qualifications:
- excellent written and oral communication skills;
- ability to work independently and resourcefully;
- a demonstrated commitment to the needs of low-income people;
- ability to communicate successfully with a diversity of people;
- the ability to communicate fluently in Portuguese, Spanish, Cape Verdean Crioula, or Haitian Creole is advantageous.
Apply with resume and writing sample to:
Michael E. Alexander, Executive Director
South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 2507, 22 Bedford Street
Fall River, MA 02722-2507
malexander@sccls.org
South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, the elderly and people with a disability are encouraged to apply. If assistance is needed to participate in the pre-employment process, please inform SCCLS.
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STAFF ATTORNEY (3 POSITIONS): Disability Law Center (DLC)
1) Special Education Staff Attorney – works to ensure that students with special needs receive appropriate programs in the least restrictive setting, that such students are not subjected to abuse or neglect or subjected to wrongful discipline. See below for additional requirements.
2) Health/Benefits Staff Attorney – provides back-up and support to the legal services network of attorneys and advocates across Massachusetts who represent individuals who are seeking disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. This team also advocates on behalf of individuals with disabilities who need Medicaid covered items and services to live independently in the community, as well as providing support to individuals who are trying to transition from benefits to employment. See below for additional requirements.
3) Staff Attorney – address issues of employment and housing discrimination and advocate to ensure equal access to public accommodations, programs and services of public entities and voting. Also, work to ensure that legal rights of individuals who reside in facilities are protected. See below for additional requirements.
Attorney Job Description
Position Staff Attorney
Reports To Team Leader/Litigation Director/Managing Attorney
Wage Class Exempt
Union Classification Eligible
Responsible For Representation of clients in individual cases in addition to participating in impact litigation. Shares responsibility with other legal and advocacy staff for providing technical assistance, consultation, outreach and training to clients, family members, advocates, and service providers.
Essential functions:
1. Ability to practice law in the State of Massachusetts.
2. Ability to travel.
3. Ability to occasionally work long hours and/or weekends when necessary to adequately perform job duties.
4. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
5. Ability to identify facts and analyze pertinent legal authority and develop creative solutions.
Duties:
1. Provide information and short-term assistance to DLC clients which includes writing letters and memoranda.
2. Represent individual clients consistent with the Law Center’s priorities and selection criteria including the development and implementation of all phases of case strategies and activities including negotiation, mediation, and representation in administrative and judicial proceedings in consultation with Team Leader and Litigation Director.
3. Prepare reports, articles and special projects, draft legislation and regulations, and participate when assigned in legislative advocacy.
4. Prepare written materials and conduct activities for the education and training of consumers, professional and others consistent with the Law Centers priorities.
5. Participate in outreach activities to un-served and under-served populations.
6. Develop staff training programs in substantive issues including updating staff on legal developments within their specialty area of law as well as training staff on office practices and policies.
7. Collaborate with senior attorneys in the development of systemic activities as appropriate.
8. Assist in the planning and development of the agencies program priorities.
9. Compile information and prepare activities reports.
10. May serve as a contact for media and may make public speaking appearances on behalf of the Law Center regarding its activities in consultation with the Executive Director, Director of Litigation or Managing Attorney.
Qualifications 1. Juris Doctor Degree.
2. Admitted to practice law in Massachusetts within a reasonable time after employment.
3. Experience in administrative or legal advocacy.
Desired Attributes
1. Demonstrated interest in disability law. 2. Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize complex tasks.
3. Demonstrated commitment to the civil rights of all people.
4. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
5. Demonstrated experience working with and/or sensitivity to people with disabilities.
6. Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of supervision.
7. Familiarity in using computers for work processing, data collection and communication.
8. Demonstrated ability to speak another language in addition to English.
APPLICATION PROCESS: APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position will remain open until filled. All applications received by 2/8/08 will be reviewed in first round of consideration. In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit:
Cover Letter, which must indicate: a) your personal and professional motivation for seeking this position; b) a discussion of how you meet each of the minimum and any of the desirable qualifications for this position; and c) where you saw the advertisement
Resume, including references (3);
Sample of Professional Written Work (case report, analytical report, investigation report, etc.) consisting of no more than 5 pages.
APPLY TO:
Search Committee – Education, Health/Benefits, Staff Attorney (Please specify)
Disability Law Center
11 Beacon Street, Suite 925
Boston, MA 02108
Please see www.dlc-ma.org for complete benefits information.
The Disability Law Center is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, religion, race or disability. Bi-lingual candidates encouraged.
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PERMANENT PARALEGAL, CHILDREN'S DISABILITY PROJECT: Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) Health and Disability Unit
The Children’s Disability Project of Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) is looking to hire a full time permanent paralegal. The Children Disability Project provides advice and full representation on all phases of children’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits issues.
This position will involve representing children who have been wrongfully denied SSI benefits at all administrative levels of appeal. The position will also involve working with attorneys in preparing children’s SSI cases for representation in U.S. District court.
The position involves responsibility for client cases including interviews, investigation of facts, research and analysis of law, development of written and oral legal arguments, preparation for and handling of administrative hearings. The position may also include assisting legislative advocacy, and /or policy advocacy, supervising student and volunteer interns, community legal education, and working with groups (which may include some night meetings).
Qualifications include: Spanish speaking preferred, good interviewing, writing, legal analysis, organizational and oral presentation skills. Candidate must be able to perform legal research and have computer skills.
GBLS is an AA/EO/Handicapped-accessible employer, committed to diversity in the workforce and regards differences as assets. Salary is based on union scale. Excellent benefits, including health and dental. Candidates should submit cover letter, resume and a brief writing sample to Sonia Marquez, Personnel Director, at Greater Boston Legal Services, 197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114or via e-mail at jobs@gbls.org. Please refer to Job Code:CDP-Para when applying for this position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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BILINGUAL (PORTUGUESE/ENGLISH SPEAKING) HOTLINE PARALEGAL: Legal Advocacy & Resource Center, Inc.(LARC)
The LARC Hotline The Legal Advocacy and Resource Center, Inc. (LARC) is seeking a caring, committed person to provide legal advice and counseling through its free legal hotline. Massachusetts’ residents telephone the LARC hotline to receive legal advice and referrals on a wide range of civil legal matters, including landlord/tenant, family law, consumer, bankruptcy, public benefits and disability issues. Most of the clients who LARC assists are low-income. The legal hotline is staffed by attorneys, paralegals, law students and volunteers. For more information about LARC, please visit our website at www.larcma.org.
Available Position The Hotline Paralegal provides legal advice and counseling under attorney supervision to large numbers of clients primarily through LARC's telephone hotline. Responsibilities include: screening calls from people seeking legal help and providing referrals to legal and other resources; providing advice and brief legal services to clients in a variety of poverty law areas; conducting detailed intake interviews for consideration by advocates at other legal services programs; preparing and mailing advice letters and literature; helping update hotline information. The position may also involve assisting with other program related tasks, as needed, as well as periodic evening hours for community outreach and other program efforts.
Qualifications Applicants should have strong communication and interviewing skills, sensitivity to people in crisis and an ability to handle a high volume of phone calls from the public. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and good computer skills, including the ability to learn and use a new intake software program, are needed. Applicants must have the willingness and ability to learn a broad range of poverty law, and to work as part of a collaborative team. The ability to effectively communicate with clients in Portuguese and English is required; legal services, social services or other telephone hotline service experience is desirable.
Salary Depends on experience. Excellent fringe benefits, including health and dental insurance. This is a unionized position.
Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Please submit resume and letter of application to Avada Douglas, Program Administrator, at 197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114. No phone calls please.
THIS LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER, AND ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FROM ALL CANDIDATES WHO MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE DIVERSITY OF OUR WORKPLACE. LARC IS COMMITTED TO FOSTERING AN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE THAT SUPPORTS DIVERSITY.
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