Housing Attorneys – Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts (JCSM)
The Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts (JCSM) is a Subsidiary of South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. serving Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod & Islands
JCSM seeks to hire attorneys to work within its robust and dynamic housing unit located in downtown Brockton, MA. The housing unit is committed to ensuring that individuals and families throughout Southeast Massachusetts have access to safe, stable, affordable housing. The housing unit furthers this missions through the provision of high quality direct representation to individuals in summary process (eviction) proceedings, challenges to public and subsidized housing denials, and termination of housing benefits matters. In addition to direct representation, the housing unit engages in legislative and regulatory advocacy, appellate advocacy, community outreach and education, and staffs the Lawyer for the Day Program in the Metro South Housing Court.
The Organization: JCSM, is a subsidiary of South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (SCCLS), 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’ 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. The organization’s law offices are located in Hyannis, New Bedford, Fall River, and Brockton.
Responsibilities include:
• Provide high quality zealous legal representation, counsel and/or referrals;
• Participate in, or conduct, community education and outreach;
• Participate in team meetings; identify and participate in impact advocacy projects;
• Engage in continuous learning in housing law;
• Participate in other program activities to further organizational goals and mission.
Competencies/Qualifications:
• Admitted in MA, eligible for admission in MA, or sitting for the February or July 2025 bar exam;
• Demonstrated commitment or experience working with diverse communities, including experience representing clients who may have experienced poverty, trauma or discrimination;
• Strong organizational, time management and case management skills;
• Strong oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team; ability to be flexible and adapt to client situations and changing program conditions;
• Proficiency or ability to learn legal case management systems, Microsoft Office Suite;
• Fluency in a language reflecting our client populations preferred (e.g. Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Vietnamese, Khmer);
• Prior housing law experience preferred.
Compensation and Benefits: Salaries are based on a collective bargaining agreement scale starting at $72,500 and increasing based on years of experience. Staff receive yearly standard increases and an annual increment for demonstrated language skills. Generous benefits package includes health and dental with supplemental coverage, life insurance, disability, flexible spending account, 403(b), and loan forgiveness. Generous paid leave including sick, vacation, personal, and holidays.
Apply: For full consideration, submit: letter of interest, resume, writing sample and references by January 15th, 2025 to LThelin@sccls.org with subject: Housing BR. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
JUSTICE CENTER OF SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS LLC
Subsidiary of South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc.
Serving Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod & Islands
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
