POSITION: Consumer & Bankruptcy Law Staff Attorney
DAYS/HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM with one unpaid hour for lunch
REPORTS TO: Maggie Lee, Supervising Attorney Economic Fairness Unit
LOCATION: 7Winthrop Square, Boston, MA * hybrid
SALARY: Starting at $70,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience

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

Click here to apply!

SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Consumer and Bankruptcy Staff attorney will represent clients in civil and small claims debt collection cases and in bankruptcy cases, mentor pro bono attorneys, and supervise interns who support the Consumer and Bankruptcy units. The Staff Attorney will conduct training, answer substantive questions from volunteers, identify appropriate referrals as well as participate in weekly Consumer Small Claims clinics and a monthly Bankruptcy clinic as well as rotate as an on-call attorney at our call center.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE:

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to and good standing in Massachusetts bar
• One or more years of substantive experience as a practicing attorney

PREFERRED EDUCATION/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE:

• Experience with Legal Server case management software
• Experience with Consumer and Bankruptcy law
• Prior experience serving low-income populations and communities

REQUIRED MENTAL/PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to absorb and retain new information quickly
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to excel working independently and within a team
• Ability to learn and navigate computer, case management software, and phone systems
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to various client situations and changes in program procedures
• Ability to manage stress and identify self-care as needed
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to analyze and problem solve quickly
• Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate over the phone, by computer, and in person

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Represent clients in civil and small claims debt collection cases at various District Courts and provide supervision at Consumer Debt Collection Clinics (shared with another staff attorney)
• Represent clients in bankruptcy cases and mentor pro bono attorneys (shared with staff attorney)
• Identify appropriate cases for referral to pro bono attorneys
• Train and mentor pro bono attorneys in consumer and bankruptcy law
• Other program duties as assigned

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.

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, 2^nd Floor, Boston, MA

SALARY: $103,808

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

Click here to apply!

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.

POSITION: Staff Attorney 

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

REPORTS TO: Betsy Gwin, Deputy Director

UNIT(S): Medical Legal Partnership, ERLI Call Center & Wills

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

SALARY: Starting at $70,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience

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

Click here to apply!

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. 

We are seeking a full-time attorney who is committed to serving low-income clients and working with the private bar to expand access to justice.  The Staff Attorney will provide support at our Eastern Region Legal Intake (ERLI) Call Center and lead our Medical Legal Partnership (MLP) and Wills Units. ERLI provides callers with information, legal advice, and referrals and conducts intakes in legal aid priority cases. The MLP Unit is an innovative partnership between VLP, healthcare providers and pro bono partners. The Wills Unit connects low-income clients to pro bono legal assistance with drafting wills, healthcare proxies, and powers of attorney.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Law degree from an accredited law school
• Admission to and good standing in the Massachusetts bar
• Minimum two years of substantive experience practicing law
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively by phone, electronically, and in person
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues and external partners
• Ability to quickly learn and retain new information, including computer, case management, and phone systems
• Ability to effectively engage with private bar to recruit, train and mentor volunteer attorneys
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods
• Ability to travel to courthouses and other clinic locations in Greater Boston

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE/ EXPERIENCE / ABILITIES/SKILLS:

• Experience with Legal Server case management software
• Experience in one or more of VLP’s practice areas
• Experience serving low-income populations and communities
• Experience recruiting and supporting volunteer attorneys
• Experience supervising legal work of others

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Maintain substantive expertise in at least two of VLP’s practice areas
• Provide attorney support to the ERLI Call Center three days per week, including responding to substantive legal questions, providing guidance to intake staff, and reviewing intake cases for appropriate disposition and closure
• Manage and provide legal oversight of the Medical-Legal Partnership Unit
• Manage and provide legal oversight of the Wills Unit
• Review MLP cases weekly and determine appropriate case disposition and closure
• Identify appropriate cases for referral to volunteer attorneys
• Prepare cases for referral and lead weekly case review meetings with pro bono partners
• Recruit, train, mentor, and support volunteer attorneys from the private bar
• Provide substantive legal guidance and support to VLP staff and volunteer attorneys
• Participate in relevant legal aid coalitions, working groups, and collaborative initiatives
• Maintain a limited caseload and represent clients in civil matters within VLP’s priority practice areas
• Perform other duties, projects, and responsibilities as assigned

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.

POSITION: Bilingual Intake Specialist 

DAYS/HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM- 4:30 PM with one unpaid hour for lunch  

REPORTS TO: Christopher Neighbours, Call Center Manager

UNIT: Eastern Region Legal Intake (ERLI) of the Volunteer Lawyers Project

LOCATION: Remote and 7 Winthrop Sq, Boston MA 02110*

HOURLY RATE: $28.31 per hour 

Candidate must reside in Massachusetts and must have access to a secure internet connection.

This position requires fluency in English and another language. Please be advised that selected candidates will be required to take a Language Proficiency exam.

This application will remain open until the position has been filled.

Click here to apply!

SUMMARY OF POSITION:   

Eastern Region Legal Intake (ERLI) is a unit within VLP that provides callers with information, legal advice, and referrals; screens clients for legal aid eligibility; and conducts intakes in legal aid priority cases. ERLI receives over  10,000 calls annually from low-income Massachusetts residents seeking legal assistance. Without the services of ERLI and its staff, many of these residents may go without assistance. 

VLP is seeking a full-time Bilingual Intake Specialist to answer calls, screen for eligibility, conduct intakes, give information and referrals, schedule appointments, and data entry. The Intake Specialist will receive ongoing training in standard procedures, customer service, data entry, and specialized legal education in order to provide the highest level of legal information, referrals, and advice under the supervision of a manager and attorney. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED EDUCATION/TRAINING:  

• Associates Degree
• Fluency in English and another language
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

• At least 1 year of call center experience or telephone customer service experience
• At least 1 year of data entry experience and/or intake-related experience  
• Knowledge of MA laws surrounding Housing, Family Law, Benefits and Consumer
• Prior intake experience
• Prior experience working in legal aid, the court system or a law office that handles civil cases in serving low-income populations.

REQUIRED MENTAL/PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively by phone and email
• Strong data entry and typing skills, with a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to quickly learn and retain new information
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Ability to effectively navigate computer systems, case management software, internet-based applications, and phone systems
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to varying client needs and changes in program procedures
• Ability to manage stress and identify self-care as needed
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:

• Conduct client intakes by phone through the ERLI Call Center queue and respond to online requests for legal assistance
• Apply legal training to assess client case facts and provide accurate information, referral, or legal

advice under the supervision of the manager and supervising attorney 

• Accurately document client information and case facts in the case management system and prepare case files for daily supervisory review
• Schedule clients for advice calls and conduct assigned advice call back appointments
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed to support program operations

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 communities we serve. VLP encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions.