Paralegal, Asian Outreach Center – GBLS

Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity / Accessible Employer and strives to ensure that our staff members reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

GBLS is hiring a full-time paralegal to work in the Asian Outreach Center (AOC) and support advocacy in the Vietnamese American community of Greater Boston.

Using a community lawyering model, AOC provides bilingual and bicultural legal services and support for movement building in the low-income, immigrant Asian American community. AOC works in conjunction with community organizers to dismantle racially unjust systems, recognizing that the community and our clients are their own fiercest advocates. Our model enables us to respond to the day-to-day needs of community and inspires our broader work against systemic inequality and oppression. Our major projects include stopping deportations in the Southeast Asian community, fighting against gentrification and displacement in low-income immigrant neighborhoods, educating nail salon workers about their rights, protecting the voting rights of limited English proficient speakers, supporting undocumented Asian immigrants, and advocating for language access.

The paralegal will be a generalist and will assist in a range of substantive law areas. The paralegal will handle cases and advocacy through the lens of community lawyering. The paralegal will participate in community-based intake, conduct research to support client cases and advocacy projects, and represent individual clients in administrative proceedings. The paralegal will support and identify client community needs through outreach, community education, and collaboration with existing and new community grassroots partners.

Qualifications:

  • Strong familiarity or background in the history of Greater Boston’s Asian American community, and/or willingness to learn more about it;
  • Strong written and oral communication skills;
  • Experience in legal or other advocacy work, or demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills;
  • Ability to perform careful, detailed work;
  • Flexibility to work some weekends or evenings as needed to accommodate client community and participate in community outreach; and
  • Proficiency in Vietnamese is strongly preferred, but not required.

GBLS offers a generous benefits package, retirement contribution, and generous paid-time-off. The position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between GBLS and the Staff Association, which governs salary and benefits. The salary range starts at $47,500 with additional compensation for increased years of experience. There is an additional $950 annually for second language ability if applicable.

Candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, and writing sample to the Human Resources Team via e-mail at jobs@gbls.org. Please refer to Job Code: AOC-PARA when applying for this position. The deadline for applications is October 23, 2023, or until the position is filled.

GBLS values diversity and encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds.

Pro Bono Assistant – VLP

POSITION: Pro Bono Assistant

DAYS/HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM with one unpaid hour for lunch

REPORTS TO: Pro Bono Manager

LOCATION: 7 Winthrop Square, Floor 2, Boston, MA 02110

STATUS: Full-time, Non-Exempt

SALARY/WAGES: Starting at $46,964

Click here to apply!

This application will remain open until the position has been filled.

SUMMARY OF POSITION: 

The Pro Bono Assistant supports the Pro Bono Manager in volunteer and interpreter management, primarily through case referrals and coordination. The Pro Bono Assistant acts as a liaison between clients and volunteers.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Fluency in English and Spanish a plus

PREFERRED EDUCATION/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE:

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Prior experience serving low-income populations and communities

REQUIRED MENTAL/PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

  • Strong verbal and written communication skillsin English and Spanish a plus
  • Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate over the phone, by computer, and in-person
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to learn and navigate computer, case management software, and phone systems
  • High level of attention to detail and accuracy
  • Ability to use a computer several hours per day
  • Ability to travel to various locations in the Greater Boston area

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Send available cases and assign to VLP’s panel of volunteers
  • Assign interpreters and mentors to cases and volunteers
  • Coordinate VLP’s internship program, including corresponding with interns and supervisors, onboarding and offboarding, and other tasks as needed
  • Support Pro Bono Manager with volunteer communications
  • Manage interpreters panel data, forms, onboarding, case assignment, and payment requests
  • Assist with Senior Partners for Justice program, including coordinating luncheons, managing volunteer awards, and sending weekly emails
  • Other program duties as assigned

Volunteer Lawyers Project is committed to a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our ideal candidates are respectful of an inclusive work environment. VLP strives to ensure that those working in our organization reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. VLP encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions.

Paralegal, Family Law Unit – De Novo

De Novo is a community-based agency that provides free legal services and affordable mental health counseling for low-income people throughout the Greater Boston/Cambridge area. De Novo strives to create a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and safe work environment that welcomes, encourages, and values everyone’s contributions and fosters an exchange of ideas and mutual learning.

General Responsibilities: The Paralegal is responsible for screening and interviewing prospective clients and assessing client eligibility for legal services and De Novo’s monthly Family Law Clinics. She/he/they provide support to the Family Law Unit and, if fluent or proficient in second language, may be called upon to provide language interpretation/translation for clients with limited English proficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Screen and interview prospective clients, assess client eligibility under existing program income and geographic guidelines and program/unit priorities.
  • Make referrals to other agencies, as appropriate.
  • Record client information using computerized record-keeping systems consistent with program needs and policies.
  • Become knowledgeable with substantive areas of practice.
  • Triage cases and identify imminent or urgent deadlines.
  • Assist with tracking deadlines and court events, and monitor court dockets.
  • Under the oversight of an attorney, provide simple legal information and/or self-help packets.
  • Under the supervision of an attorney, provide legal advice and assist clients in completing legal pleadings, court forms, and other litigation-related paperwork.
  • Under the oversight of an attorney, draft correspondence to clients, the court, and opposing party.
  • Attend and participate in scheduled meetings where client eligibility, advice, information and referrals are reviewed.
  • Participate in trainings and engage in community education and outreach, including targeted outreach to identified households facing eviction.
  • Provide administrative support to lawyers to prepare cases for court events.
  • Perform such other duties as assigned consistent with the provision of quality client services.

BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • Associates degree, paralegal certificate or equivalent experience.
  • Experience working with a broad range of people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and people with low incomes.
  • Strong writing and oral skills.
  • Strong computer skills.
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Capacity to identify and analyze legal and other problems.
  • Experience in family law, legal services, social services, or case management preferred.
  • Comfort working with a broad range of stakeholders, including professionals, community groups, and individuals.
  • Demonstrated concern for and commitment to the goals of legal services and to working for low-income people.
  • Experience working with interpreters and/or fluency in language(s) in addition to English preferred.
  • Multicultural/bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

HOURS, SALARY, AND BENEFITS: HOURS, SALARY, AND BENEFITS: The position is 35 hours/week. Salary range is $42,000 – $52,000 dependent on experience. Excellent fringe benefit package, including 100% employer paid health insurance for employee and families, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance, vacation, personal, and sick time, 403(b) plan, Flexible Spending Plan, training and professional development opportunities.

To Apply: Applicants should submit 1) a cover letter addressing experience and interests relevant to the position, and 2) a resume to John Froio, Deputy Director, De Novo, email address: jfroio@denovo.org. No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be considered on a rolling basis. For more information about De Novo refer to our website: www.denovo.org

De Novo 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.

Deputy Director – SCCLS

South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (SCCLS), the primary provider of free civil legal aid to low-income residents of Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod & the Islands, seeks an experienced and detail-oriented Deputy Director, with strong communication skills to work closely with and support the work of the Executive Director. The Deputy will assist in the development of organizational policy, including strategic planning and assessment of legal need in the region, be responsible for the execution of strategic goals, supervise communications and data collection efforts, support human resources and diversity efforts, assist with ensuring the organization complies with requirements of the largest funders, fiscal management, and supervise senior staff as determined by the Executive Director.

Reporting to SCCLS’ Executive Director, the Deputy will be a key part of the Executive Management team and contribute to ensuring the overall success of the organization in meeting its mission to provide high quality civil legal aid to low-income people and communities in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod & Islands. The position will be in SCCLS’ Fall River Administrative office.

Responsibilities:

  • Development and implementation of policies and key strategic goals for the organization;
  • Play a key role in recruitment, hiring, orientation and professional development of staff;
  • Support the work of the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts;
  • Lead ongoing legal needs assessment efforts;
  • Assist with legislative lobbying efforts for funding for civil legal aid and other fundraising campaigns;
  • Investigate and resolve staff grievances in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement;
  • Ensure compliance with policies and grant requirements of SCCLS’ largest funders;
  • Supervise communications and data collection efforts;
  • Supervise senior staff and/or organizational projects as directed by the Executive Director;
  • Provide mentoring, consultation, and supervision for staff members or unit leaders regarding legal work, as needed;
  • In collaboration with the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer involvement of staff funding allocations; and
  • Assume other duties as requested by the Executive Director

Qualifications:

  • Licensed to practice law in Massachusetts, or eligible to practice;
  • Excellent demonstrated skills relative to supervision, mentoring, training and development of professional staff with varying experience levels;
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Proficient in use of legal case management systems, Microsoft Office Suite and tools for data management;
  • Significant experience providing legal aid to low income clients (experience in an IOLTA or LSC funded program helpful);
  • Demonstrated project management, grant management, problem solving, planning and organizational skills;
  • Organized, efficient and goal oriented;
  • Prior experience with financial and grant management;
  • Experience with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives;
  • Committed to providing effective and high-quality legal assistance to low-income residents of our region.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: $90,000+ DOE. Starting Benefits package: health and dental with supplemental coverage, life insurance, disability, flexible spending account, 403(b), loan forgiveness. Generous paid leave including sick, vacation, personal and holidays.

APPLY: Submit letter of interest, resume and professional references by email to: LThelin@sccls.org with Subject Line: SCCLS Deputy Director. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
SCCLS and its subsidiary, the Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts (JCSM), with a combined staff of nearly 80, is the principal provider of free, civil legal aid to low-income residents of Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. SCCLS law offices are located in Hyannis, New Bedford and Fall River. The Justice Center is located in Brockton. SCCLS’ core mission is to achieve justice for eligible clients through community-based advocacy. The organization prioritizes legal services in: housing, public benefits, elder law, domestic relations, employment, education, immigration, and consumer matters.

South Coastal Counties Legal Services and its subsidiary are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. We welcome applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster a healthy, inclusive environment where all staff, clients, and community members are valued, empowered and recognized.

Colonel Ruby W. Linn Managing Attorney – VLS

Position Overview:
The Colonel Ruby W. Linn Managing Attorney (“managing attorney”) will be an integral part of VLS’s leadership team and will oversee the case work of VLS’s team of attorneys in a variety of areas, including direct provision of legal assistance, leveraging VLS’s pro bono panel, and identifying opportunities for systemic change advocacy. The managing attorney is supervised by, and will work closely and collaboratively with, VLS’s Co-Executive Director & Chief Counsel.

Diversity and Inclusion:
VLS believes diversity strengthens the organization and enhances the fulfillment of its mission. Individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences, for example, those who identify as people of color, LGBTQ+, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Compensation Philosophy:
VLS offers a competitive compensation and benefits package to attract and retain top talent and to promote the well-being and professional development of its team members, all of whom help advance the organization’s mission. VLS provides compensation information in its job postings to ensure transparency and efficient use of applicants’ time. Employee compensation is evaluated annually and is informed by data from peer organizations, the industry, individual employee performance, organizational impact, and organizational financial standing. Compensation adjustments may include cost of living increases, increases due to comparability data, merit increases, promotions, or bonus payments.

VLS is proud of its comprehensive benefits package for qualified employees, which includes health, dental, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account, state Paid Family Medical Leave contributions (employee’s portion covered), generous 401K employer match, student loan repayment assistance, partial phone reimbursement, continuing education opportunities, a generous sick, personal, vacation, and holiday schedule including paid time off between December 24th and January 1st and half days on Fridays in the summer. To promote team member resilience, following three years of employment VLS also provides two additional personal days per year.

Compensation and Culture:
The managing attorney position is a 35-40 hour per week hybrid position with a salary range of $110,000-$130,000 annually, depending on experience. This position is eligible for the benefits described above, subject to waiting periods for certain benefits as may be required. VLS offers a
congenial working environment and is committed to promoting work/life balance and wellbeing for its team members who have dedicated their careers to improving veterans’ lives.

Hybrid Work:
VLS currently offers a hybrid work arrangement for its team members. Applicants should anticipate one in-office day weekly and to come to the office as needed for meetings or other tasks. Team members may choose to work from home or the office the remainder of the week. The managing attorney should also anticipate some in-person attendance at VLS’s legal clinics at partner sites. VLS has a new office that is located near North Station in Boston, convenient to the orange and green lines and commuter rail. While this is not a fully remote position, VLS strives to balance the convenience of remote work with the benefits of coming together to promote team cohesion. VLS continually evaluates organizational and team members’ needs and may modify its hybrid policy in the future.

Primary tasks include but are not limited to:

  • Supervise a growing team of attorneys (anticipated to be 5 by 2024) who are providing legal services to veterans across the Commonwealth on cases including: family law, housing, debt, CORI, and benefits including state and federal veterans benefits;
  • Conduct weekly case reviews/check-ins with each team member supervised and provide ongoing support to each, developing strategies to ensure each attorney has an appropriate volume of cases and identifying support needed;
  • Collaborate with Pro Bono Director and team members to identify cases appropriate for placement with pro bono counsel and maximize leveraging of pro bono panel;
  • Provide professional development support to team members;
  • Participate in performance reviews for team members supervised;
  • Provide direct representation on a small caseload to maintain skills and create impact;
  • Support team members in assisting pro bono counsel seeking assistance;
  • Collaborate with development and administrative staff on program planning, meeting grant requirements, and identifying case victories or other activities to highlight.

Secondary tasks include but are not limited to:

  • Support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the organization;
  • Periodically attend legal clinics, such as at Dept. of Veterans Affairs hospitals;
  • Identify issues commonly faced by significant numbers of VLS clients and collaborate with the Co-Executive Director & Chief Counsel to assess for opportunities for systemic change advocacy through appellate litigation or legislative/regulatory advocacy;
  • Participate in education and outreach to the community about legal issues faced by veterans, including speaking on panels at bar associations or other events;
  • Maintain relationships with community groups and peer organizations;
  • Attend VLS-hosted events and represent VLS at relevant events.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

  • Must be an attorney who is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts or eligible for admission by motion at the time of hiring;
  • Commitment to valuing and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion;
  • Significant attorney experience, preferably in the legal aid sector;
  • Experience supervising a team of attorneys;
  • Substantial litigation experience, preferably in family law and landlord/tenant law;
  • Eagerness to engage in professional development opportunities;
  • Ability to mentor, supervise, and co-counsel effectively while prioritizing opportunities for team members’ growth and professional development;
  • Ability to identify and pursue solutions with a positive, can-do attitude;
  • Commitment to cybersecurity and proficiency in Microsoft Office and G-Suite, with ability and willingness to learn additional tools, applications, and technologies;
  • Sensitivity to the circumstances of VLS’s client population and the challenges inherent in legal aid work;
  • Excitement for VLS’s mission and commitment to fulfill position responsibilities in accordance with VLS’s strategic plan.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

  • Experience in management, administration, or leadership at a legal aid organization;
  • Experience working with economically disadvantaged populations;
  • Experience with state and/or federal benefits law;
  • Experience with appellate level litigation or other systemic change advocacy;
  • Experience with measurement and evaluation or performance metrics.

Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resumé to ManagingAttorney@veteranslegalservices.org. VLS is unable to respond to phone or social media inquiries. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

About the Colonel Ruby W. Linn Managing Attorney position title
This position is named in memory of Colonel Ruby (Winslow) Linn. Born in 1910 in Massachusetts, Ruby served in the Army, first as a second lieutenant and then as a major. She ultimately became chief of the Food Service Division and director of the Dietetic Internship Program at Walter Reed. She retired in 1963. In 1966, Ruby married fellow Army veteran LaVon Parker Linn. The pair shared a love for travel and a deep commitment to philanthropy in service of those in need. The Ruby W. and LaVon P. Linn Foundation was created by Ruby in 2001 and has generously supported organizations serving veterans and other charitable organizations ever since.

Temporary Housing Staff Attorney – VLP

POSITION: Temporary Housing Staff Attorney – HILA Tenant

DAYS/HOURS: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM with one unpaid hour for lunch

REPORTS TO: Lead Housing Attorney Rochelle Jones

STATUS: Full-time, Exempt 

LOCATION: 7 Winthrop Square, Floor 2, Boston, MA 02110

SALARY/WAGES: Starting at $60,000 commensurate with experience
*This position is hybrid that also requires in person attendance to weekly Housing clinics in Boston.

Click here to apply!

This application will remain open until the position is filled.

SUMMARY OF POSITION: 

Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) seeks a Temporary Staff Attorney for a special project addressing COVID-19 related evictions. The staff attorney works in VLP’s housing unit to represent tenants facing eviction as a result of COVID-19. The staff attorney will identify appropriate housing cases to be referred to pro bono attorneys and provide mentorship for those attorneys. In this position, the attorney will also supervise paralegals, and interns who support the housing unit.  Additionally, the attorney will supervise volunteers at the weekly Lawyer for the Day and Answer & Discovery clinics. The staff attorney may also plan and conduct trainings and perform outreach. Fluency in a second language is preferred, specifically Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, Cantonese, or Vietnamese as a large percentage of our client population is limited English proficient.

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities formally Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) has engaged the Volunteer Lawyers Project to participate in a coordinated legal services delivery system to deliver free legal assistance to income eligible tenants and owner occupant landlords facing eviction issues due to COVID-19. The Project seeks to ensure that legal assistance is available to all who are eligible.

The Project will provide referrals, legal information, assistance and limited legal representation in all sittings of the Massachusetts Housing Court to preserve or achieve housing stability. The initiative will serve tenants in the greater Boston areas and income eligible owner-occupied landlords of up to a 3-family home in a statewide. The Project will provide legal assistance statewide to low-income tenants and owner-occupants who are at 200% or below the Federal Poverty Level in COVID-related eviction cases. Through the Project, trained staff and pro bono attorneys will help owner occupants and tenants as they navigate the eviction process.

This is a grant-funded position through June 30, 2024.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE:

  • Law degree from an accredited law school
  • Admission to and good standing in Massachusetts bar
  • Experience in Landlord/Tenant law and Summary Process

PREFERRED EDUCATION/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE:

  • Experience with Legal Server case management software
  • Demonstrated commitment to social justice and serving low-income populations and communities
  • Supervision experience
  • Fluency in Spanish

REQUIRED MENTAL/PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to absorb and retain new information quickly
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to excel working independently and within a team
  • Ability to learn and navigate computer, case management software, and phone systems
  • Ability to be flexible and adapt to various client situations and changes in program procedures
  • Strong data entry and typing skills
  • Ability to manage stress and identify self-care as needed
  • High level of attention to detail and accuracy
  • Ability to analyze and problem solve quickly
  • Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently over the phone, electronically, and in person
  • Ability to use a computer several hours per day

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Represent clients in housing cases in various courts
  • Staff VLP housing clinics
  • Identify appropriate cases for referral to pro bono attorneys
  • Recruit, train, and mentor interns and pro bono attorneys in housing cases
  • Other program duties as assigned

The Volunteer Lawyers Project is committed to a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our ideal candidates are respectful of an inclusive work environment. VLP strives to ensure that those working in our organization reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. VLP encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions.

Staff Attorney, Family Law & Guardianship

POSITION: Staff Attorney- Family Law and Guardianship

DAYS/HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (w/ some evening trainings)

*This position is hybrid that also requires in person attendance to weekly Family Law and Guardianship clinics in Boston and Woburn.

REPORTS TO: Geraldine Gruvis-Pizarro, Esq., Supervising Attorney

UNIT(S): Family Law and Guardianship

LOCATION: Volunteer Lawyers Project, 7 Winthrop Square, Second Floor, Boston, MA 02110

STATUS: Exempt, Full Time

SALARY: Starting at $60,000. Commensurate with experience.

Click here to apply!

This application will remain open until the position has been filled.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:  

The Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association (VLP) is a non-profit legal services organization that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Greater Boston, primarily through the pro bono services of private attorneys. We are seeking a full-time staff attorney with a dedicated commitment to the communities and people we serve to work in our family law and guardianship units.

VLP is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ a diverse staff. Our ideal candidate is respectful of an inclusive work environment. Fluency in a second language is strongly preferred, specifically Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, Cantonese, or Vietnamese as a significant percentage of our client population is limited English proficient.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING:

  • Law degree from an accredited law school.
  • Admission to and good standing in Massachusetts bar

REQUIRED MENTAL/PHYSICAL ABILITITES/SKILLS:

  • 1-3 years in full-time family law and guardianship practice, including litigation
  • Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office Suite
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
  • Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and with staff at outside organizations
  • Ability to effectively engage with the private bar to recruit, train and mentor volunteer attorneys
  • Ability to use a computer several hours per day
  • Ability to communicate in person, by telephone, and by computer
  • Ability to travel to courthouses and other clinic locations in Greater Boston

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Maintain updated substantive knowledge in family law and guardianship law
  • Attend weekly unit case review meetings
  • Effectively and efficiently handle a small caseload
  • Provide substantive family law and guardianship supervision at weekly clinics, including answering questions and reviewing advice and drafts of documents and closing cases
  • Supervise and mentor interns and pro bono attorneys
  • Review cases for merit and alignment with priorities
  • Conduct training for volunteers, often during evening hours
  • Prepare cases for pro bono assignment, including reviewing memos and documents
  • Assist in placement of cases with pro bono attorneys
  • Monitor pro bono cases to ensure quality and competent representation
  • Other responsibilities as needed

VLP is committed to a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, genetics, disability, age, military or veteran status. 

Bilingual Paralegal, Bankruptcy & Consumer – VLP

POSITION: Bilingual Paralegal – Bankruptcy and Consumer
DAYS/HOURS: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, 35 hours per week (with 1 evening clinic)
REPORTS TO: Staff Attorney, Grace Brockmeyer
UNIT: Bankruptcy and Consumer
LOCATION: 7 Winthrop Square, Floor 2, Boston, MA 02110
SALARY: $52,015

Click here to apply!

This position requires fluency in English and Spanish. Please be advised that selected candidates will be required to take a Spanish Language Proficiency exam.

This application will remain open until the position has been filled.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) represents low-income people in the Greater Boston area on a variety of civil legal problems, including housing, consumer issues, and family law matters. Many cases are referred to volunteer private attorneys who handle the cases with VLP providing training and ongoing support. This role supports the organization’s attorneys as well as the pro bono panel in all aspects of the legal and administrative functions of the unit, case management for the unit, and other duties as necessary to carry out the mission of the organization. Must be motivated and committed to public interest work and access to justice.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING:
REQUIRED:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Fluency in English and Spanish

PREFERRED:

  • Prior experience working in legal aid, the court system or a law office that handles civil cases
  • Prior experience with an organization serving low-income populations

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED:

  • Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, database and web content management systems, and
  • collaborative project tools.
  • Ability to effectively engage with the private bar in recruiting and retaining volunteer attorneys.
  • Paralegal experience at Volunteer Lawyers Project

PREFERRED:

  • Knowledge of MA laws surrounding Bankruptcy and Consumer

PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

REQUIRED:

  • Ability to use a computer and phone for several hours a day
  • Ability to travel to courthouses and other clinic locations in the Greater Boston area

MENTAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

REQUIRED:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent administrative and organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
  • Ability to work independently and have the ability to be detail-oriented
  • Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and staff at outside organizations
  • Ability to exercise good judgment, be reliable and flexible

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Bankruptcy Paralegal Duties

  • Develop and maintain the administrative support for screening new cases to ensure client eligibility for VLP services and completion of files for screening by staff attorneys in a timely manner
  • Draft case referral memos to be reviewed by staff attorney
  • Provide the main telephone support for fielding questions from clients seeking to file bankruptcy
  • Follow up with clients on cases after clinics that need further assistance or representation
  • Provide administrative and technical support for volunteer attorneys during the duration of their bankruptcy case
  • Assist with the recruitment of attorneys who will accept bankruptcy cases
  • Report to supervisor when bankruptcy intakes and referrals need to be adjusted
  • Organize and compile reports on intake and referral statistics
  • Schedule clients and attorneys and intern volunteers for monthly bankruptcy clinics
  • Set up monthly bankruptcy clinics in the office or at DotHouse
  • Conduct intake of new clients at the Bankruptcy clinics to ensure eligibility; collect required documentation for bankruptcy cases and assist with obtaining credit reports
  • Attend trainings as needed for professional development
  • Maintain Bankruptcy case reports
  • Delegate case processing tasks to interns as needed
  • Assist with bankruptcy grant requirements
  • Prepare cases for closing weekly

Consumer Unit (shared with the Employment and Consumer Paralegal)

  • Attend Consumer case review, assist with client follow up and case processing
  • Conduct intakes of new clients at the small claims clinics (shared with the Employment and Consumer Paralegal)
  • Conduct post-clinic follow-up with clients and case processing to ensure documents and notes are accurate and current
  • Follow up with clients on cases after clinics that need further assistance or representation
  • Draft case referral memos to be reviewed by staff attorney
  • Assist with the recruitment of attorneys who will accept bankruptcy cases
  • Attend trainings as needed for professional development
  • Delegate case processing tasks to interns as needed
  • Track and report statistics (i.e., defaults) from consumer clinics to the Employment and Consumer Paralegal for reports and outreaches
  • Prepare cases for closing weekly
  • Participate in other projects as needed to continue the VLP mission

Volunteer Lawyers Project is committed to a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our ideal candidates are respectful of an inclusive work environment. VLP strives to ensure that those working in our organization reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. VLP encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions. 

Staff Attorney, Immigration Law Unit – GBLS

Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity / Accessible Employer and strives to ensure that our staff members reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.  

GBLS seeks a full-time staff attorney to join our Immigration Unit (IU). The IU represents clients in removal defense, defensive and affirmative asylum claims, special immigrant juvenile status petitions, VAWA self-petitions, “U” and “T” visas, and other immigration matters before the USCIS and EOIR. GBLS provides free legal services and representation to clients in the greater Boston area who cannot afford private legal representation.

Responsibilities of the Staff Attorney will include:

  • Managing an immigration caseload and providing representation and assistance to immigrants on substantive issues, with a priority of removal defense. Types of cases which may be handled include:
    • Defensive and affirmative asylum claims;
    • Special immigrant juvenile petitions;
    • VAWA self-petitions;
    • “U” and “T” visa applications; and
    • Providing representation concerning these and other immigration matters before the USCIS, BIA, EOIR and the federal courts;
  • Conducting intake interviews;
  • Providing advice and referrals on immigration matters;
  • Liaising with community organizations;
  • Doing community clinics and outreach;
  • Responding to requests for emergency legal assistance;
  • Providing legal services to culturally and linguistically diverse clients in an inclusive and respectful manner;
  • Assisting with general administrative tasks and grant reporting as appropriate;

Qualifications:

  • This position is for an attorney with up to 4 years of legal experience.
  • The candidate must be admitted to a state bar, or in the process of being admitted.
  • The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • The candidate must have the ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks.
  • The candidate must have the ability to work collaboratively with other attorneys as well as non-attorney staff and community partners.
  • Experience working with immigrant clients from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds is preferred.
  • Prior experience in immigration law, including asylum, is required.
  • Proficiency in Spanish, Haitian Creole or Portuguese preferred but not required.

Salary is based on a union scale, with a starting annual salary range from $72,000 to $76,500 depending on experience. Potential salary increase in the future will be determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. GBLS offers a generous benefits package and paid time off policy. A hybrid work schedule is possible.

Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and brief writing sample to the GBLS Human Resources Team by email at jobs@gbls.org. Please refer to Job Code: IMM-ATT when applying for this position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled but applicants are encouraged to submit applications by September 17, 2023.

GBLS values diversity and encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Bilingual Intake, Legal Assistant – NLA

Northeast Legal Aid, a non-profit legal aid office, seeks a bilingual (English-Spanish) entry-level receptionist/intake worker/legal assistant to respond to high volume telephone and walk-in requests for legal services.

This position will be based in our Lynn office, but the selected candidates will move between our Lynn, Lawrence, and Lowell offices to cover for absent employees as necessary.

Duties include: greeting walk-in clients, answering intake phones, screening clients for eligibility, accurate data entry into client case management system, other clerical duties as assigned by attorneys and paralegals including typing client correspondence, organizing case files, copying, faxing, and scanning.

Must have excellent customer service skills and experience with Microsoft Applications including MS Word, Excel, Outlook email/calendars.

Bilingual ability in Spanish is required; and strong preference for candidates with experience working with diverse, low-income populations.

NLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking diverse candidates. Please send a resume and two references to creardon@nla-ma.org.