Legal Intern

About Us

The Cambridge Housing Authority ("CHA"), a leader in developing and maintaining affordable housing communities, is seeking a qualified and highly motivated candidate. By focusing on policy innovation and family economic opportunities, the CHA is committed to developing and managing safe, high quality, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. CHA provides long-term rental housing and rental assistance to more than 5,500+ individuals and families through its Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs. CHA has been awarded accreditation by the Affordable Housing Accreditation Board (AHAB) and was the seventh affordable housing provider in the nation to receive this prestigious accreditation.

Summary 

 The primary purpose of this position is to assist the legal department with a range of public housing, landlord/tenant, transactional, public finance, and regulatory projects. This part-time paid legal internship is 10 weeks in duration and does not include entitlement to a paid position at the conclusion of the internship. 

 All activities must support the Cambridge Housing Authority’s (“CHA” or “Authority”) strategic goals and objectives and produce results that accomplish the goals of the Office of General Counsel (“Office”). 

 Qualifications

 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Education and/or Experience

Currently enrolled in an accredited law school. Experience with affordable housing and low-income clients preferred. 

 Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have strong legal research skills, including familiarity with Westlaw; strong computer skills, including MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); and excellent organizational, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.  

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position.  This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Finding answers to legal questions by researching case law, statutory and regulatory guidance, and secondary sources; Preparing legal memoranda based on research performed.
• Assisting with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and Memoranda of Understanding
• Policy Development: Examining statewide housing issues and proposing unique and creative solutions 
• Legal Compliance Analysis: Monitor changes in housing laws and analyze their impact on the authority's policies and procedures.
• Litigation Support: Assist in the preparation of documents and materials for use in court cases, including discovery and trial preparations.
• Training Assistance: Aid in developing and conducting legal compliance and awareness training sessions for housing authority staff and residents
• Legal Correspondence: Draft and review legal correspondence, such as notices to tenants, responses to legal inquiries, and communication with regulatory agencies.
• Document Management: Manage and organize legal documents, ensuring that all materials are kept confidential and are easily accessible for staff.
• Legislative Advocacy: Support the authority's advocacy efforts by preparing briefs or position papers on proposed legislation affecting public housing.
• Accessibility and Fair Housing Compliance: Review the authority's properties and policies to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act.
• Interagency Collaboration: Work with local government agencies and non-profits to coordinate efforts in addressing homelessness and housing scarcity.
• Eviction Process Management: Understand and assist in the legal processes involved in tenant evictions while ensuring adherence to due process and humane practices.

 Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

 Behavioral Competencies

Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.  

 Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; recognizes working colleagues as customers. 

Effective Communication:  Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing; demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; listens effectively.  

 Responsiveness and Accountability:  Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; does fair share of work.  

 Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

 Job Competencies

• Knowledge of computer and clerical skills, as described in “Technical Skills” section above.
• Ability to read and write English at the law school level.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Experience in the operation of public agencies and in assisting low-income clients or assured interest in obtaining such knowledge.
• Experience in legal matters or assured interest in obtaining such knowledge.
• Ability to be self-motivated and organized.

 Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to maintain a stationary position, operate computers and other office equipment, move about the office, attend onsite and offsite meetings, and communicate. The employee must be able to accurately exchange information in person, in writing and via e-mail and telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 10 pounds.

 Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.