Staff Attorney: Housing

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current third-year law students, recent law school graduates and more experienced attorneys are eligible to apply.
• Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to poverty law and social justice work.
• Experience working with diverse communities, strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to work in a collaborative setting are important.
• Experience in landlord-tenant work and/or fair housing work is preferred, as is fluency in Spanish.

COMPENSATION: The starting salary for this position is $73,000, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience. 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); loan repayment assistance; and relocation reimbursement. CLA has a hybrid work environment and requires advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.

Community Legal Aid (CLA) is the non-profit legal services program providing free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA has over 180 dedicated, talented staff working across multiple offices. Our core work includes effective client-centered advocacy and partnerships with our client communities.

CLA seeks a housing attorney to work in its Greenfield office. The core part of the attorney's job will involve representing tenants in eviction cases and assisting tenants facing denials or terminations from public and subsidized housing programs. A portion of the attorney's work will involve raising reasonable accommodation and other fair housing claims in eviction cases and subsidy denial and termination hearings. The attorney may also be involved in the litigation of affirmative fair housing cases, depending on the needs of the organization. The attorney will regularly participate in a Housing Court lawyer-for-the-day program. The attorney will have significant client contact and will engage in community outreach and education, and will be involved in some grant-reporting activities.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit your resume and cover letter online on our website. Alternatively, you can mail your application to Recruitment Coordinator, Community Legal Aid, 370 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.

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.