Benefits Attorney

South Coastal Counties Legal Services Inc.; Fall River (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. is seeking an attorney to represent clients in public benefits and related civil matters across southeastern Massachusetts, including Fall River or Hyannis offices.

The attorney will provide high-quality advocacy with empathy for vulnerable communities, balancing independent work with team collaboration. Ideal candidates will be admitted to the Massachusetts bar or eligible to practice, with strong written and oral advocacy skills and a commitment to

Qualifications

• Massachusetts bar admission or eligibility to practice law.
• Experience representing low-income clients preferred.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to engage with diverse communities with empathy and respect.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in public benefits and related civil matters.
• Work independently and collaboratively with the team.
• Engage in community outreach and systemic advocacy when needed.
• Provide high-quality, client-centered legal services in Fall River or Hyannis.

Skills

Massachusetts bar admission

Independent work + teamwork

Trauma-informed representation

Fluency in a second language (Spanish/

Job description

The Organization:

South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (SCCLS), along with its subsidiary the Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts, is a vibrant and growing non-profit legal aid program where our core mission is to fight injustice and poverty by advocating on behalf of low-income individuals and families across southeastern Massachusetts, the Cape, and islands in civil matters when their basic needs are at stake. The organization prioritizes legal services in housing, public benefits, elder law, domestic relations, employment, education, immigration, and consumer matters.

With a staff of over 100, SCCLS is the principal provider of civil legal aid in the region. We operate from offices in Brockton, Fall River, New Bedford, and Hyannis. Our team provides representation and litigation services to thousands of people each year, while also delivering a wide range of community outreach and educational programs. We seek candidates who are committed to advancing equal access to justice and opportunity through client-centered advocacy. This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, mission-driven team dedicated to delivering impactful legal services to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Duties Include:

This attorney will primarily represent clients in cases involving public benefits and similar programs. Depending on our clients’ needs, case types may include (but are not limited to) DTA and childcare benefits, SSI, SSDI, MassHealth, Unemployment Insurance, and PFML benefits. The attorney must provide professional, high-quality legal representation and have excellent legal skills in written and oral advocacy, as well as deep empathy and respect for our clients and communities. They must have the ability to work independently while also knowing how and when to work collaboratively with a team. This position involves individual client advocacy and engagement with the community as well as systemic advocacy and support of the organization. This position could be based in either our Fall River or Hyannis offices depending on the circumstances and needs of the attorney and our program.

Qualifications:

1. Admitted to the Massachusetts bar or admitted elsewhere and able to practice under Mass SJC Rule 3.04;
2. Experience working with clients who have disabilities;
3. Experience working with vulnerable or at-risk people, such as those who have experienced poverty, trauma, domestic violence, substance use disorder, discrimination, or being unhoused;
4. Ability to work independently and as a team member; goal and detail oriented with ability to prioritize; ability to be flexible and multi-task;
5. Strong organizational, time management and case management skills;
6. Strong oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills;
7. Commitment to fighting discrimination, empowering clients, and providing trauma-informed representation;
8. Ability to engage effectively in person and remotely with people from diverse cultures, diverse opinions and values, including staff, volunteers, students, community members and funders;
9. Prior benefits experience preferred;
10. Fluency in a second language which reflects our client communities (Spanish, Portuguese, Cabo Verde Kriolu, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Khmer) preferred.

South Coastal Counties Legal Services and its subsidiary are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. We welcome all applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster a healthy, inclusive environment where all staff, clients, and community members are valued, empowered and recognized.