Lead Housing & Appeals Attorney (Hybrid)

U.S. Bankruptcy Court - District of CT; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

The Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association (VLP) is a non-profit legal services organization that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Greater Boston. The Housing Unit is the largest unit at VLP.

The supervising attorney will provide general oversight to the housing and appeals units, supervise clinics, and mentor staff and pro bono attorneys. The position involves delivering housing law supervision at clinics, training staff, and ensuring high-quality

Qualifications

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to and good standing in the Massachusetts bar.
• 2+ years in full-time housing law, including litigation.
• 2+ years supervising legal work.
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and with staff at outside organizations.
• Ability to effectively engage with private bar to recruit, train and mentor volunteer attorneys.
• Ability to use a computer several hours per day.
• Ability to communicate in person, by telephone, and by computer.
• Ability to travel to courthouses and other clinic locations in Greater Boston.
• Experience with Massachusetts appellate procedure (preferred).
• Bilingual in a second language, preferably Spanish (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Maintain expertise in housing law.
• Lead weekly unit case reviews and provide oversight on follow-through.
• Supervise weekly housing clinics.
• Supervise the Appeals Clinic, including attending the Appeals Clinic and closing Appeals Clinic cases.
• Provide substantive housing supervision at clinic and as needed to housing unit staff attorneys, including answering questions and reviewing advice and drafts of documents.
• Develop trainings for staff on housing law and litigation.
• Supervise and mentor paralegals, interns, and pro bono attorneys.
• Review cases for merit and alignment with priorities.
• Recruit and maintain relationships with volunteers from the private bar.
• Conduct trainings for volunteers, often during evening hours.
• Prepare cases for pro bono assignment, including reviewing memos and documents.
• Assist in placement of cases with pro bono attorneys.
• Monitor pro bono cases to ensure quality and competent representation.
• Participation in legal aid coalitions and collaborations.
• Assist with grant applications and reports.

Skills

Supervising

Microsoft Office

Written and verbal communication

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Interpersonal communication

Travel to courthouses

Education

Law degree from an accredited law school

Massachusetts bar admission

2+ years housing law (including litigation)

2+ years supervising legal work

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association (VLP) is a non-profit legal services organization that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Greater Boston. The Housing Unit is the largest unit at VLP.

The supervising attorney will provide general oversight to the housing and appeals units, supervise clinics, and mentor staff and pro bono attorneys. The position involves delivering housing law supervision at clinics, training staff, and ensuring high-quality