Staff Attorney - Asian Outreach Project

GBLS is an AA/EO/accessible employer committed to diversity in the workforce and regards differences as assets.

Greater Boston Legal Services is hiring a full-time attorney to work in the Asian Outreach Program.

The Asian Outreach Program provides bilingual and bicultural legal services and support for movement building to Asian Americans and Asian immigrants seeking access to justice. Asian Outreach uses a community lawyering model to work with clients and grassroots organizations to advocate for the legal rights of indigent and Asian immigrant communities. We believe that understanding the role of lawyers is critical to the partnership between the legal and community arms of any movement. Community lawyers may provide legal counsel and guidance, but clients often know the needs of their community best and can be their own fiercest advocate. Our model enables us to respond to the day-to-day needs of the Asian American community and inspires our broader work against systemic inequality and oppression.

The attorney will engage in community lawyering by collaborating closely with existing partners and fostering new relationships with grassroots groups. The attorney will also conduct and coordinate outreach/intake activities, provide community legal education, represent individual clients and groups of clients in administrative and court proceedings, and represent and advise community-based client groups. The attorney will be a generalist and will provide legal assistance among various areas of law, particularly housing, family law for victims of violence, immigration, and employment. The attorney may also be required to supervise law students and paralegals.

GBLS is looking for an attorney admitted to the Massachusetts bar or comity with no more than five years of experience; who is bilingual in Cantonese and Mandarin, or another Asian language and has experience working with Asian communities. The position will require working closely with the Asian American community to determine community priorities.  An understanding of Asian American history and culture as well as experience working with Asian American community groups is preferred, in addition to strong interpersonal skills and commitment to working with low-income immigrants.

Salary is based on union scale. GBLS provides excellent benefits, including health and dental insurance and student loan repayment assistance plan for eligible attorneys.