Staff Attorney

PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION: 

The Center for Social Justice (CSJ) at Western New England University School of Law is seeking a Staff Attorney to join its team. The CSJ provides free legal representation to low-income community members through its diverse legal programs and pro bono initiatives, such as the Consumer Debt Initiative (CDI), the CORI Sealing and Expungement relief program, and the Gender Affirming Identification Project (GAIP). The Staff Attorney will conduct the legal work of the CSJ’s programs. This will include the management and development of the CDI Lawyer for the Day program, client casework and litigation, supervision and recruitment of students and pro bono volunteers, contribution to the CSJ’s advocacy and research, as well as the development of client-facing programming and community outreach, such as Know Your Rights events, upstream debt reduction interventions, and financial literacy empowerment for the public. It will also involve collaboration with partners across the Law School, the University, and the wider community. The Staff Attorney will work closely with the CSJ Director to ensure the CSJ is responsive to community needs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Staff Attorney will conduct, oversee, and develop the Center’s client casework and legal activities through the Consumer Debt Initiative, the CORI Sealing and Expungement Project, and other programs, in line with the mission of the CSJ. To advance this work, the Staff Attorney will collaborate closely with the CSJ Director as well as law school faculty, staff, and administrators.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

1. Coordinate and manage the CSJ’s legal and pro bono programs.
2. Serve as the primary person in charge of client casework and litigation.
3. Supervise and recruit volunteers (including students, faculty, staff, and others) for CSJ projects/initiatives.
4. Supervise and evaluate student externs, interns, and fellows.
5. Develop trainings, training materials, and guides for CSJ volunteers, participants, students, and the public.
6. Collect, maintain, and analyze data from all CSJ legal programs; assist with reporting on grants and other projects.
7. Develop and attend community outreach programming, including Know Your Rights events.
8. Assist in the development of and contribute to new initiatives, research, advocacy projects, grant applications, and CSJ collaborations. 
9. Support the Director as needed in fulfilling the CSJ’s strategic plan objectives and operations.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS: 

Candidates must have earned a J.D. from an A.B.A. accredited law school, have experience representing clients in civil or criminal matters, and be admitted to the Massachusetts bar or eligible for temporary admission pursuant to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITIES: 

1. A demonstrated commitment to social justice and ability to work with individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds.
2. Experience building networks and coalitions; ability to collaborate well with others.
3. Familiarity with pro bono programs as a volunteer and/or administrator.
4. Knowledge of civil and criminal laws and procedures.  Knowledge of consumer law and debt collection litigation/defense is a plus.
5. A demonstrated ability to meet goals and deadlines.
6. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
7. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral).
8. Ability to work independently and organize time.
9. Knowledge of basic Microsoft Office Suite, email, online surveys, scheduling tools, and data management systems; familiarity with computers.
10. Experience or comfort with supervising and supporting volunteers and conducting trainings/presentations.
11. Spanish language fluency is plus.

ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS: 

Moderate travel within Massachusetts, including occasional travel out of state for conferences.