Staff Attorney: Benefit Law

About Us: Founded in 1976, MetroWest Legal Services (MWLS) provides free civil legal services to protect and advance the rights and well-being of poor, elderly, disabled, and otherwise disenfranchised individuals and families in the communities that we serve. MWLS strives to help clients overcome barriers to achieving justice in areas that address their most basic human needs.

Responsibilities:

• Represent clients who have been denied emergency shelter or are facing termination of shelter benefits.
• Represent clients in administrative hearings and court appeals in government benefits cases including matters involving the denial of social security/SSI, unemployment, SNAP, cash assistance and MassHealth benefits.
• Conduct targeted outreach to community-based organizations and other groups in the MWLS service area so as to enhance the visibility of available legal services, and to connect with communities that will benefit from the services.
• Engage in systemic legislative and/or administrative advocacy around Emergency Assistance (“EA”) shelter and government benefits issues.
• Actively participate in statewide coalitions specific to shelter and benefits practice areas.

Education

• Admitted in Massachusetts, eligible for admission in MA under SJC Rule 3.04*, or sitting for the July 2024 bar exam. Bachelor's degree and J.D. required.

Work Experience

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney preferred Experience representing low income, immigrant communities, elderly or disabled clients strongly preferred.

Other Qualifications/Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment and/or experience working with diverse communities, including experience advocating for clients who may have experienced poverty, trauma, or discrimination.
• Experience representing clients in EA shelter and/or government benefits matters is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time management and case management skills.
• Commitment to race equity, anti-racism and economic justice in the workplace and in providing legal services.
• Enthusiasm, creativity, good judgment, initiative, and willingness to work independently and collaboratively.
• Fluency in Portuguese, Spanish, or Haitian Creole is desirable but not required.
• Ability to travel throughout the MWLS service area and to occasional statewide events. MWLS has a travel expense reimbursement plan.
• Ability to work from the MWLS office in Framingham at least two (2) days a week as MWLS is currently operating with a hybrid work model. Under this model, MWLS staff are required to work from the MWLS office at least two (2) days a week.

*An applicant who is admitted to the bar of another state must become a member of the Mass. bar within 2 years.

Salary/Benefits: This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. Salary is based on a union scale with a starting wage of $64,000. MWLS provides a multi-lingual increment for demonstrated language skills. MWLS’ benefits package includes generous PTO leave, 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, employer match on retirement contributions, student loan repayment assistance program for eligible attorneys and extensive professional development opportunities.

MWLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to ensure that our staff members reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. MWLS encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.