Community Legal Aid (CLA), the free civil legal aid organization serving the low-income and elderly residents of Central and Western Massachusetts, has an exciting leadership position for an experienced attorney to serve as its Litigation Director. CLA's advocacy team handles over 7,000 cases a year in a wide variety of areas, including landlord-tenant and fair housing; domestic relations; public benefits; re-entry; elder law; education law; employment law; and immigration. CLA is a fiscally sound, administratively strong agency supported by a dedicated staff, management team, and Board of Directors. CLA has approximately 160 staff working across multiple offices, and a budget of over $20 million.
The Litigation Director will be an integral part of CLA's management team and will:
- Coordinate, support, supervise, and participate in major or complex litigation to address systemic issues that affect CLA's clients;
- Act as a catalyst for the identification of issues that affect CLA's clients and the development of litigation and/or advocacy strategies to address them;
- Work with other management and supervisory staff to help develop the litigation skills of CLA lawyers;
- Review and edit advocates' written advocacy and coordinate moots for oral arguments;
- Engender a culture of raising and pursuing attorney fee-shifting claims.
The Litigation Director will be based in one of CLA's Central or Western Mass. offices and will travel among all of those offices to meet with staff in person on occasion.
Qualifications
- Must be licensed to practice law in Massachusetts or eligible for admission to the Mass. bar at the time of hiring.
- Must have at least ten years of litigation experience, preferably significant experience litigating complex civil cases in state and federal court, both at the trial and appellate levels. Experience as lead counsel is required.
- History of creative and high impact advocacy, demonstrated leadership in litigation, and substantive expertise in legal issues affecting low-income people.
- Demonstrated ability to work across multiple substantive areas of law.
- Significant commitment, skills, and experience in mentoring and training less-experienced attorneys; should also possess strong leadership skills and a leadership style that inspires and encourages professional growth in others.
- Should have proficiency using technology in litigation.
- Prior experience with low-income populations, and a demonstrated ability to relate effectively to a diverse clientele and staff, are preferred.
Compensation
Competitive salary, DOE. CLA offers a very generous benefits package that includes 401(k) with employer-paid contribution; low-cost health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; malpractice insurance; paid leave (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, and 13 holidays); law school loan repayment assistance; and relocation stipend. CLA has a hybrid work environment and requires advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.
Application Process
Please apply online. Alternatively, you can submit your cover letter and resume to: Alicia Vaughan, HR Director, Community Legal Aid, 370 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608, or email avaughan@cla-ma.org. In your cover letter, please indicate your office preference (Springfield or Worcester).
CLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to ensure that our staff members reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. CLA encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
Salary: $115000 per year
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