Supervising Attorney - Housing and Appeals

Volunteer Lawyers Project; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Volunteer Lawyers Project in Boston seeks a Supervising Attorney for Housing and Appeals to oversee the housing and appeals units, mentor staff and pro bono volunteers, and supervise at clinics. The role emphasizes training, case review, and coordination with private bar partners.

The position requires Massachusetts bar admission, housing law experience, and strong leadership and communication skills to support low-income clients with civil legal needs.

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 Microsoft Office.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to engage with private bar to recruit, train and mentor volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Maintain expertise in housing law.
• Lead weekly unit case reviews and provide oversight.
• Supervise weekly housing clinics.
• Supervise the Appeals Clinic and close cases.
• Provide substantive supervision at clinics and to staff attorneys.
• Develop trainings on housing law and litigation.
• Supervise paralegals, interns, and pro bono attorneys.
• Recruit and maintain relationships with volunteers from the private bar.
• Conduct trainings for volunteers, often during evening hours.
• Prepare cases for pro bono assignment and assist with placement.

Skills

Staff supervision

Mentoring volunteers

Written & verbal communication

Microsoft Office

Organization & multi-tasking

Public outreach & collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Massachusetts bar admission

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

POSITION: Supervising Attorney - Housing and Appeals

DAYS/HOURS: 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday plus occasional evening trainings/events

REPORTS TO: Betsy Gwin, Deputy Director

UNIT(S): Housing and Appeals

STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

LOCATION: 7 Winthrop Square, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA

SALARY: $103,808

* Hybrid- This position is currently hybrid, necessitating in person office attendance for 2 days weekly

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

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, primarily through the pro bono services of private attorneys.

The Housing Unit is the largest unit at VLP. The supervising attorney will provide general oversight to the housing and appeals units, substantive supervision at in-person and remote legal clinics, as well as for staff LAR and full-rep cases, and provide mentoring and supervision to pro bono attorneys. The supervision and support provided will elevate the skills of the housing unit and improve the consistency, accuracy, and depth of the advice and mentoring given to both VLP staff and our pro bono attorneys, to better serve our clients and community.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE:

• 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

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/ABILITIES/SKILLS:

• Experience with Massachusetts appellate procedure
• Bilingual in a second language, preferably Spanish

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• 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

Volunteer Lawyers Project is committed to a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our ideal candidates are respectful of an inclusive work environment. VLP strives to ensure that those working in our organization reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. VLP encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions.