Description:
A Public Interest Law Firm is the non-profit legal services program providing free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. A Public Interest Law Firm has over 150 dedicated, talented staff working across multiple offices. Our core work includes effective client-centered advocacy and robust outreach to and partnerships with our client communities. A Public Interest Law Firm is a fiscally sound, administratively strong agency supported by a dedicated staff, management team, and Board of Directors.A Public Interest Law Firm seeks a Senior Supervising Attorney (SSA) to join its management team and oversee the work of A Public Interest Law Firm's Fair Housing Unit. The SSA will supervise the legal work of advocates who raise housing discrimination claims on behalf of tenants filing affirmative cases, defending against evictions, and seeking to access or maintain affordable housing. This supervision will include co-counseling cases, editing pleadings and briefs, preparing attorneys for and observing them in court, and engaging in regular case reviews. The SSA will supervise non-attorney staff who support the unit and run A Public Interest Law Firm's fair housing testing program. The SSA will also participate in coordinating the training of staff; work with A Public Interest Law Firm's Managing Attorneys in conducting annual performance reviews; and assist in writing grant applications and reports.
The candidate should be committed to developing and coordinating systems to ensure that A Public Interest Law Firm's fair housing team is properly supervised and supported, and that all grant deliverables are met. The candidate should be an independent thinker and have the ability to calmly and thoughtfully oversee a team that works in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment which can often be stressful for advocates.
The SSA will be based in A Public Interest Law Firm's Worcester or Springfield office. The position will require the SSA to travel to A Public Interest Law Firm's offices in central and western Mass. as needed, including regular visits to Worcester and Springfield to meet in person with staff and support them in court.
Qualifications: Admission to Mass. Bar or entitlement to practice under a Mass. practice rule required. Must have at least five years of experience as a housing attorney, including experience litigating fair housing cases in state and federal court. Experience with low-income populations; ability to work collaboratively; and strong supervision and communication skills required.
