Description:

A Legal Assistance for Low Income Clients in Southeastern Massachusetts, a growing non-profit civil legal aid program that provides quality legal representation to low-income and other vulnerable residents of Southeastern MA, Cape Cod & Islands seeks permanent Managing Attorneys for its offices in New Bedford and Brockton. The overall role of the Managing Attorney is to oversee and ensure the provision of high-quality legal services to clients served by A Legal Assistance for Low Income Clients in Southeastern Massachusetts. As part of an overall management team, the Managing Attorney effectively engages with the organization's leadership team, advocacy staff, and community organizations to develop and manage strategic initiatives and coordinate the impact work of the organization, including incorporating a race equity lens. The Managing Attorney might maintain a small and strategic caseload which serves to shape the impact advocacy of the office. The Managing Attorney for the Brockton office will also be responsible for tasks associated with opening and staffing a new office.

Supervise Legal Work:

Supervise the advocacy work of the local office which will include case selection, co-counseling, case reviews consistent with implementing strategies to address needs of community(ies);
Consistent with program supervision standards, provide timely annual written evaluations and case reviews;
Provide ongoing supervision and mentoring — provide ongoing constructive feedback; identify growth areas, identify and implement necessary supports;
Ensure equity in assignments;
Foster collaboration and team building;
Ensure advocacy staff is actively engaged with other program advocates, local community organizations, and the statewide advocacy community to address legal issues confronting low-income residents;
Demonstrate creativity in identifying and pursuing legal issues on behalf of low-income residents; possess vision and sense of urgency in addressing emerging issues affecting clients/client communities.

Training:

Onboarding of new staff into local office and organization generally;
Ensure appropriate technical and/or substantive legal training and ongoing support is provided to staff.

Organizational (Internal Focus)

Effectively model and communicate a commitment to organizational mission and support for the organization;
Ensure adherence to program and case handling standards, funder requirements and the highest professional standards;
Foster collaboration and team building across organization;
Identify and address interpersonal/personnel issues within local office;
With A Legal Assistance for Low Income Clients in Southeastern Massachusetts' PAI Coordinator to promote use of volunteers to further A Legal Assistance for Low Income Clients in Southeastern Massachusetts' advocacy goals and strengthen its capacity to serve clients;
Work with A Legal Assistance for Low Income Clients in Southeastern Massachusetts' Executive Director or their designee on funding initiatives, grant compliance and legal work;
Implement personnel policies relating to hiring, leave, discipline and discharge; maintain communications with Administrative office regarding HR and other personnel issues;
Oversee local office administration and management functioning including local office accounting, physical building issues, contemporaneous timekeeping, implement and oversee other administrative operations of the office in conjunction and in consultation with Executive Director or designee.

Organizational (External Focus)

Collaborate with advocacy staff to identify systemic barriers faced by clients and client communities of A Legal Assistance for Low Income Clients in Southeastern Massachusetts and to seek innovative ways to address;
Ensure that legal services provided are consistent with A Legal Assistance for Low Income Clients in Southeastern Massachusetts's priorities, policies and procedures, and that resources to provide the highest quality client services are maximized;
Maintain liaison with the client community, client and other community groups, courts and administrative forums, and bar associations; act as the face/representative of A Legal Assistance for Low Income Clients in Southeastern Massachusetts in local office region in external relationships.

Core Competencies:

Foster inclusivity, equity and humility when working with clients, colleagues and in supervising staff at the intersection of multiple identities, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, immigration status, religion, physical and mental disability, and/or limited English proficiency;
Effectively engage with the organization's leadership team, advocacy team, and community organizations to develop and manage strategic initiatives and coordinate the impact work of the organation, including incorporating a race equity lens.
Capacity to facilitate groups and meetings equitably with a framework that embraces race equity principles;
Demonstrate a commitment to race equity, anti-racism and economic justice in the workplace and in the provision of legal services;
Model whole organization mindset, foster cross-office relationships.

Qualifications and Experience:

Management or supervisory experience with demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor staff; commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity in supervising staff of varying experience levels and/or at the intersection of multiple identities; ability to give and receive constructive feedback; proven skills in leadership, relationship development, collaboration and team building.
At least 7 years of legal practice in a variety of forums including federal, state, and appellate courts, administrative agencies, and/or legislative bodies. Admitted to practice law in Massachusetts or able to seek admission; experience in a civil legal aid environment desirable.
Commitment to race equity, anti-racism and economic justice in the workplace and in the provision of legal services.
Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable populations and understanding of effects of poverty, trauma, and systemic discrimination. Demonstrated creativity and vision in pursuing legal issues on behalf of low-income residents; possess vision and sense of urgency in addressing client needs including identifying and responding to emerging issues.
Fluency in a second language which reflects our client communities (Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Khmer) strongly preferred.
Effectively model and communicate a commitment to organizational mission and support for the organization with ability to effectively communicate same; strong personal work ethic and ability to organize time, manage diverse activities and meet critical deadlines.
A commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity, as well as humility when working with clients, colleagues and in supervising staff at the intersection of multiple identities, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigration status, religion, physical and mental disability, and/or limited English proficiency;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with people from diverse cultures, with diverse opinions and values.
Capacity to facilitate groups and meetings equitably with a framework that embraces race equity principles; experience engaging with community groups, organizations, and advocacy groups to resolve issues affecting low-income residents and communities.