Greater Boston Legal Services is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity / Accessible Employer. We want to build and sustain a staff that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) seeks a staff attorney to join our Family Law Unit to represent victims of crimes in civil legal cases related to their victimization under the Civil Legal Aid to Victims of Crime (CLAVC) initiative.
The Family Law Unit prioritizes representation and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence in contested Probate and Family Court proceedings, as well as abuse prevention proceedings in the District and Boston Municipal Courts.
GBLS provides free legal services and representation to clients in the greater Boston area who cannot afford private legal representation. The attorney will work out of the GBLS Boston office. GBLS currently operates a hybrid work schedule.
Responsibilities include:
· Managing a family law litigation caseload that will include full representation cases, as well as counsel and advice, limited assistance representation, and brief service matters;
· Participating in systemic advocacy that promotes the interests of GBLS clients;
· Providing culturally competent services to all clients;
· Developing and promoting relationships with community partners;
· Maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills in family law and trial practice;
· Maintaining up-to-date awareness of other areas that impact GBLS family law clients in order to provide appropriate referrals or advice; and
· The ability to travel to courthouses throughout the GBLS service area and to occasional statewide CLAVC events (GBLS has a travel expense reimbursement plan).
Salary is based on a union scale, which is currently under review for possible increase. The scale starts at $60,000 for an attorney with zero years of experience. GBLS offers generous benefits, retirement contribution, student loan repayment assistance for eligible attorneys, and generous PTO leave.
GBLS encourage applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences
Qualifications:
· This position is for an attorney with 0-5 years of experience;
· The candidate must be admitted to the Massachusetts bar or be able to sit for the Massachusetts bar exam in 2023;
· The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills;
· The candidate must have the ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and to work collaboratively with other attorneys, as well as non-attorney staff and partners;
· Prior family law and/or litigation experience is preferred, but not required;
· Prior experience working with survivors of domestic violence is preferred, but not required;
· Fluency in one or more of the languages in addition to English spoken by GBLS clients, such as Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Cantonese, or Mandarin, is helpful.
Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample to the Human Resources Team via e-mail at [email protected]. Please refer to the Job Code: CLAVC when applying. Deadline is February 15, 2023, or until position is filled.