Staff Attorney - Benefits Unit (CWJC - Worcester)

Community Legal Aid & Affiliate; Hudson; On-site; CAD 71,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal aid organization is seeking a staff attorney for its Worcester office to provide legal assistance in public benefits matters. The role involves advocacy for low-income clients, community outreach, and education. Applicants should be committed to poverty law and have strong interpersonal skills.

Benefits

401(k) with employer-paid contribution

Low-cost health insurance

Malpractice insurance

Paid leave (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, 13 holidays)

Law school loan repayment assistance

Relocation stipend

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to poverty law and social justice work.
• Experience working with diverse communities.
• Experience advocating for low-income clients preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance in public benefits matters.
• Handle cases before administrative agencies and in court.
• Engage in community outreach and education.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Advocacy for low-income clients

Fluency in Spanish

Fluency in Portuguese

Fluency in Vietnamese

Education

Third year law students

Recent law school graduates

Experienced attorneys

Job description

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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 advocating for low-income clients seeking public benefits and/or other administrative agency advocacy experience, including law school clinical experience, preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese and/or Vietnamese a plus.

COMPENSATION: The starting salary for this position is $71,500, which is based on a union scale and adjusted upward depending on experience. CWJC 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); law school loan repayment assistance; and relocation stipend. CWJC has a hybrid work environment and requires advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.

Central West Justice Center (CWJC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Community Legal Aid (CLA). Together, CWJC and CLA have over 180 dedicated, talented staff working across multiple offices in Central and Western Massachusetts. Our core work includes effective client-centered advocacy and robust outreach to and partnerships with our client communities.

CWJC seeks a staff attorney to work in its Worcester office. The attorney will provide legal assistance in public benefits matters, including TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP, MassHealth, and Emergency Assistance shelter. In addition to handling cases before administrative agencies and in court on appeal, the attorney will engage in significant community outreach and education.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit your resume and cover letter online. Alternatively, you can submit your application to [e-mail] or mail to Ingrid Liu, Recruitment Coordinator, Community Legal Aid, 370 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.

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