Two (2) Temporary Staff Attorney (Supervisory) Positions - Housing/CASLS/Elder Units

GBLS is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Accessible Employer and strives to ensure that our staff members reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

For more than 100 years, Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) has provided free civil legal assistance to people living in poverty in the Greater Boston area. Our Cambridge and Somerville Office (CASLS) provides legal assistance to families and individuals residing in the Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Belmont, Woburn and Winchester areas.

GBLS seeks two (2) Staff Attorneys to work on the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project. These attorneys will help train and supervise the junior attorneys, paralegals, and intake specialists that are also part of the Project sited at GBLS and handle their own caseload of more complicated eviction trials. This is a grant-funded position through June 30, 2021. Extension of up to an additional nine months of employment beyond this date is contingent on the availability of funding.

ABOUT THE PROJECT
 

The COVID Eviction Legal Help Project was formed to expand the capacity of existing legal aid organizations in Massachusetts to respond to the increased evictions with the lifting of the Massachusetts eviction moratorium. Teams of non-lawyer advocates and lawyers will be hired by local legal aid programs and guided by a supervising attorney to provide support and legal representation at different stages of the eviction process. Staff attorneys will be an integral part of this statewide initiative.
 

The GBLS component of this project provides legal representation to low income tenants in the Eastern, Northeast, and MetroSouth Housing Courts covering the Boston, Chelsea, Cambridge/Somerville, Woburn, and Canton sittings of these courts.  Where time permits, the Project staff also represents tenants facing evictions in local district courts in the GBLS service area.  The work involves eviction defense of tenants in all types of housing (private, subsidized and public housing) and both elders and non-elders. A high volume of fast moving cases in court is expected.  Each of the supervising attorneys will be assigned to work with approximately 2 junior attorneys and 1-2 paralegals, but will also coordinate work with the rest of the GBLS Project team, housing attorneys (in the Housing Unit, Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services office and the Elder Unit), and advocates across the state.  Due to COVID-19, most work will be handled remotely.

Qualifications: At least 5 years’ of housing/trial experience. Admission to the Massachusetts Bar, prior landlord/tenant law experience, and trial experience is required. Experience mentoring and supervising junior staff and ability to work as a team are preferred. Candidates should have: a demonstrated sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse backgrounds, and commitment to working with low-income people; strong collaborative, communication, organizational, and written and oral presentation skills; ability to work and communicate effectively with staff, clients, members of the bar, and the local community; experience working with interpreters or fluency in language(s) in addition to English preferred and ability to work remotely.

Salary is based on a union scale, starting at $66,500 for an attorney with five years’ experience. (salary increase expected in January, 2021).GBLS offers a generous benefits package including low cost health insurance, paid dental plan, and generous paid time off.

GBLS encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.