Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts (PLS) is pleased to announce a full-time staff attorney position with our organization.
PLS is a nonprofit public interest law firm founded in 1972 that provides free legal services to individuals incarcerated in Massachusetts prisons and jails. The core mission of PLS is to protect the human and civil rights of Massachusetts prisoners. With a small and dynamic staff of sixteen including attorneys, paralegals and support personnel, we engage in individual and class action impact litigation; provide direct administrative advocacy relating to incarceration and parole; initiate and support legislation to improve outcomes for incarcerated people, and work with the media and community organizations to educate the public about issues impacting incarcerated people, and their families and communities.
PLS priority areas include medical and mental health care, correctional staff use of excessive force, and ending solitary confinement and other extreme conditions of confinement. Recent litigation has focused on these priority areas and discrimination against prisoners with disabilities. More detailed information is available at www.plsma.org.
Responsibilities:
• All phases of affirmative litigation concerning prison and jail conditions, including factual investigation, discovery, document review, written and oral advocacy, settlement and trial practice, and enforcement and compliance monitoring.
• Client representation and advocacy with prisons, jails and other state agencies.
• Visits to, telephone contact and correspondence with clients.
• Policy advocacy on issues affecting incarcerated persons.
Qualifications
• Admission to (or eligibility to become a member of) the Massachusetts bar.
• Four to five years of litigation experience preferred, one year of which may be a judicial clerkship, that should include a combination of significant litigation experience including depositions, examining witnesses, motion practice, or engaging in oral arguments at the trial or appellate level.
• Excellent analytical, legal research, and writing skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills; bilingual skills in Spanish, Portuguese, American Sign Language, or other language preferred.
• Ability to multi-task and strong time management skills.
• Ability to work remotely.
• Collegiality and an ability to work both independently and in teams, which may include co-workers, pro bono lawyers, and other organizations.
• BIPOC, LGBTQI individuals, formerly incarcerated and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Compensation includes a competitive legal services salary plus comprehensive benefits (fully paid health insurance, loan repayment assistance, 401k, etc.). To be considered, please submit the following materials:
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Legal writing sample
• List of three references and their contact information
Please send all documents attached to a single email to [email protected] with the subject line “Permanent Staff Attorney Application” as soon as possible. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis until the position is filled.